The Impact of the Sustainable Future Fund: Lower Bills, Healthier Communities

This year’s additional $1 billion investment in the Sustainable Future Fund is another important step toward building New York's clean energy future. To address the energy reliability, affordability, and climate crises, New York must put these investments to work by deploying available funding, advancing shovel-ready projects, and continuing to invest in infrastructure that will lower bills, improve public health, strengthen communities, and keep progress moving.  

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. The build out of clean energy is and will be the largest infrastructure project of our generation. 

Thanks to Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature for recognizing this, the continued $1 billion investment in the Sustainable Future Fund will help address the affordability and climate crises together by investing in clean, modern infrastructure that will lower bills, cut pollution, protect public health, and build more resilient communities for the long term. 

If done right, we can create family-sustaining union jobs, lower energy costs, and expand job opportunities for New Yorkers. Continued 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 These projects will improve air quality for those that have long suffered from pollution caused by dirty and outdated energy infrastructure.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.

The Sustainable Future Fund can help turn these opportunities into projects with lasting benefits for New Yorkers. Investments in clean energy infrastructure, energy efficiency, and building upgrades can lower bills, improve public health, strengthen energy reliability, and create pathways into the middle class through good-paying union careers. The work doesn't end with making a budget commitment. New York still has resources available from past budgets to accelerate clean energy projects, and those funds should be deployed without delay. 

By getting funding out the door and shovels in the ground, we can address both the affordability and climate crises. Let's keep the progress going and let us build.