Lower Bills, Healthier Communities: The Case for a $3 Billion Investment
By Julie Tighe & Esther Rosario | May 6, 2026
New Yorkers are facing rising energy costs, worsening air pollution, and growing threats from climate change. Simultaneously, our aging infrastructure is leaving communities vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather, and the cost of upgrades and delayed repairs fall on those who can least afford it. Now is the time for New York State to confront the affordability and climate crises together by investing in the clean, modern infrastructure that will lower bills, cut pollution, protect public health, and build more resilient communities for the long term.
New York must commit to investing $3 billion annually in the Sustainable Future Fund annually until a strong cap-and-invest program is fully implemented.
We are faced with the largest infrastructure opportunity of our lifetimes and, if done right, it can create family-sustaining union jobs, lower energy costs, and expand job opportunities for New Yorkers. Investments in projects like thermal energy networks, community solar, building electrification, energy efficiency upgrades, and modern heating and cooling systems can permanently reduce energy costs for families while cutting harmful emissions. These projects will improve air quality for those that have long suffered from pollution caused by dirty and outdated energy infrastructure.
Local clean energy is also the fastest, most cost-effective, and most reliable way to power our economy. Investments in local energy and energy efficiency will help stabilize prices and keep the lights on. At the same time, targeted funding for schools, public buildings, and affordable housing can reduce energy burdens while improving public health, especially in communities that have borne the brunt of pollution for decades.
This transformation will not happen on its own and without significant leadership from New York. We need a predictable, recurring funding commitment to move projects forward at scale and with a highly-skilled workforce. A one-time infusion won’t solve a long-term challenge. New York must ensure that projects continue without interruption.
Equally important, these investments must come with strong labor standards. The transition to a clean energy economy should be powered by skilled union workers, ensuring that the benefits of this transformation are broadly shared. We also need to continue prioritizing investment in disadvantaged communities that experience the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
A recurring $3 billion commitment to the Sustainable Future Fund is essential to securing New York’s future.
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters and Esther Rosario, Executive Director of Climate Jobs NY