Hochul’s Plan to Roll Back Environmental Law Sparks Divide Among Conservation Groups
New York Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to fast-track certain housing projects by reducing environmental regulations has left some prominent climate advocacy groups at odds. The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) was enacted in 1975, requiring developers to assess the potential environmental impact of their projects.
Hochul claims that this law is hindering the construction of affordable housing and driving up costs. In response, she proposes exempting certain housing projects from additional environmental review if local or state regulatory agencies deem them to have "no significant impacts." This exemption would apply to projects with up to 250 units in New York City and up to 100 units elsewhere.
Some environmental groups, however, argue that this change is a step back for environmental protection. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment's head, Adrienne Esposito, warned that Hochul's proposal could lead to an "open season" for developers to disregard environmental regulations. Earthjustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran shared similar concerns, stating that the governor's plan does not address the root causes of the affordable housing crisis.
On the other hand, some organizations have expressed support for limited changes to SEQRA. The New York League of Conservation Voters' Patrick McClellan believes that creating denser housing close to mass transit is crucial in the fight against climate change.
However, a broad coalition of environmental groups and advocates are pushing back against Hochul's plan, citing concerns over the governor's definition of "previously disturbed" land. This definition could potentially include farmland with old barns or sheds, sparking debate among conservationists about the scope of the exemption.
As the state Senate and Assembly continue to hold hearings on the budget proposal, it is clear that a contentious battle lies ahead. The proposed changes to SEQRA are predicted to be one of the most contentious items in the budget, with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie warning that they will require "conversations" among local communities.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether conservation groups can coalesce around a set of recommendations to tighten and improve Hochul's proposal. However, with differing opinions emerging, one thing is certain: the fate of environmental regulations in New York hangs in the balance.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to fast-track certain housing projects by reducing environmental regulations has left some prominent climate advocacy groups at odds. The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) was enacted in 1975, requiring developers to assess the potential environmental impact of their projects.
Hochul claims that this law is hindering the construction of affordable housing and driving up costs. In response, she proposes exempting certain housing projects from additional environmental review if local or state regulatory agencies deem them to have "no significant impacts." This exemption would apply to projects with up to 250 units in New York City and up to 100 units elsewhere.
Some environmental groups, however, argue that this change is a step back for environmental protection. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment's head, Adrienne Esposito, warned that Hochul's proposal could lead to an "open season" for developers to disregard environmental regulations. Earthjustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran shared similar concerns, stating that the governor's plan does not address the root causes of the affordable housing crisis.
On the other hand, some organizations have expressed support for limited changes to SEQRA. The New York League of Conservation Voters' Patrick McClellan believes that creating denser housing close to mass transit is crucial in the fight against climate change.
However, a broad coalition of environmental groups and advocates are pushing back against Hochul's plan, citing concerns over the governor's definition of "previously disturbed" land. This definition could potentially include farmland with old barns or sheds, sparking debate among conservationists about the scope of the exemption.
As the state Senate and Assembly continue to hold hearings on the budget proposal, it is clear that a contentious battle lies ahead. The proposed changes to SEQRA are predicted to be one of the most contentious items in the budget, with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie warning that they will require "conversations" among local communities.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether conservation groups can coalesce around a set of recommendations to tighten and improve Hochul's proposal. However, with differing opinions emerging, one thing is certain: the fate of environmental regulations in New York hangs in the balance.
a seesaw: on one side, you have affordable housing 
, and on the other side, you have environmental protection 
. Governor Hochul's plan tries to tip that seesaw by reducing environmental regulations 
, but some groups are saying it's making things worse 
.
between these two important goals. But I think we need to consider the bigger picture 
: how can we make housing more affordable while also protecting our environment? 
. I just wish they could build more houses without messing up the environment, you know? Like, isnt that what the law is for? 
But maybe I'm just not smart enough to understand it 
. Can someone explain it to me like Im 5? 
So they're saying Kathy Hochul wants to speed up housing construction by basically rolling back environmental laws... that sounds like a recipe for disaster! I mean, can you imagine if we just ignored all the rules and made our own mess? Sounds like some folks are already making their beds while others are still in PJs 
I'm no expert, but it seems to me that if affordable housing is a crisis, we should be tackling the root cause (lack of funding, gentrification... you know, the usual suspects) rather than just giving developers a free pass.
i think its bad news for enviro groups but like good news for devs who wanna build more affordable homes... but what if it means we compromise on some environmental protection tho? 
dont get me wrong, affordable housing is super important but can't we find a balance between progress and taking care of our planet? 
. They have valid concerns about how this proposal could lead to a slippery slope where developers start ignoring regulations willy-nilly.
. I hope some of those environmental groups can work together with developers and policymakers to find a solution that benefits everyone, not just one side or the other 
its like she wants to let developers just do whatever they want and disregard the planet's health 
like, are we really just prioritizing cheap housing over the health of our ecosystems? 
. On one hand, I get where Governor Hochul is coming from - affordable housing is a huge issue and we need to find ways to address it ASAP. But on the other hand, I think environmental regulations are super important for our planet's future 
. It's not just about the environment though - it's also about our kids' future and their right to a healthy place to live 