For Immediate Release: August 10, 2023
Contact: press@socialists.nyc

Statement: Hochul’s Loophole Won’t Stop Our Future

In May, thousands of New Yorkers overcame Governor Hochul’s fossil fueled obstructions to pass the Build Public Renewables Act, the biggest Green New Deal victory in US history. In June, New Yorkers rose up again, empowering the State Senate to stop her attempt to confirm Justin Driscoll, a Republican fossil fuel ally with a history of enabling racial discrimination, to lead the institution that will carry out BPRA.

Today, Governor Hochul once again showed her lack of respect for the democratic will of New York. Instead of appointing a NYPA leader with strong character and a record of climate leadership, she used a legal loophole to ram through her rejected nominee, making Justin Driscoll “official” New York Power Authority CEO.

However long he serves, Hochul’s nominee will do so without legitimacy. He remains rejected by the Senate, and New Yorkers at large. This desperate move will not keep New Yorkers from the future we deserve. Our movement has defeated Hochul and her fossil fuel industry backers before. We will do it as many times as it takes to realize the full potential of BPRA, and build a New York we’ll be proud to pass on to the next generation.

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ABOUT NYC-DSA: New York City Democratic Socialists is the local chapter of Democratic Socialists of America—the largest socialist organization in the United States with over 85,000 members. NYC-DSA is run by its 6,000+ members and activists who are working together to build a democratic socialist organization in the five boroughs.