Immigrant Justice Response Team

"Our aim is to strengthen Indivisible ADK/Saratoga's work in immigrant justice by focusing our efforts and collaborating with the many existing, wonderful organizations in our communities. We're here to amplify voices, connect resources, and take specific actions that will make a real difference for immigrants in our region

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Know Your Rights at Home (English)

Letter to the Editor on Immigrant Torture-by Lale Davidson

Our Guiding Principles

Know Your Rights with ICE (English)

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Know Your Rights with ICE card (Spanish)

When people say “ICE is a Good Thing”
These are the FACTS they don’t know.

Know Your Rights Wallet Card

Undocumented immigrants in the United States are generally ineligible for most federal means-tested public benefits under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), which restricts access to programs like non-emergency Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, certain exemptions and state-funded options exist. Below is a publishable list of available public benefits, categorized by federal and state levels. This information is based on current policies as of 2025 and may vary by location or change over time; individuals should consult local agencies or legal experts for personalized guidance.

Federal Public Benefits Available to Undocumented Immigrants

These are limited to emergency and essential services that do not require "qualified immigrant" status:

Emergency Medicaid: Covers emergency medical services for those who meet income and other eligibility criteria but lack qualifying immigration status. It does not include ongoing or preventive care.
Public Health Programs: Includes immunizations and testing/treatment for communicable diseases, available regardless of immigration status.
School Breakfast and Lunch Programs: Provided to all schoolchildren, including those who are undocumented, through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Offers nutrition assistance to eligible pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children, with access available in every state regardless of immigration status.
Short-Term Noncash Emergency Disaster Assistance: Provides aid such as food, water, and temporary shelter during disasters, without immigration status restrictions.
In-Kind Services Necessary to Protect Life or Safety: Includes access to soup kitchens, short-term shelters, crisis counseling, and community services like child/adult protective services or weather emergency programs, as long as no income qualification is required for the household.
Public K-12 Education: Free public education for children, mandated by federal law regardless of immigration status.

Note: A 2025 policy update expanded the list of barred federal programs to include additional services like Head Start and Title X family planning, but the exemptions above remain intact.

State-Funded Public Benefits Available to Undocumented Immigrants

Many states use their own funds to extend benefits to undocumented immigrants who are barred from federal programs. Availability varies widely by state, and not all states offer these. Examples include:

Benefit TypeDescriptionStates Offering (Examples)Health Coverage (Medicaid/CHIP Equivalents)State-funded health insurance for children, pregnant individuals, young adults, or all ages, regardless of immigration status. This may include prenatal and postpartum care.California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, District of Columbia (full coverage for all eligible immigrants); 44 states cover immigrant children and/or pregnant people; New Jersey, New York, Vermont (prenatal care). Nutrition AssistanceState-funded alternatives to SNAP for food support.California, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington. Cash Assistance for Seniors and People with DisabilitiesMonthly cash benefits for aged, blind, or disabled individuals ineligible for federal SSI.California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Washington. TANF or General Cash AssistanceTemporary cash aid for needy families, funded by states to cover those barred from federal TANF.Over half of states provide some form to immigrants, including undocumented in limited cases (specifics vary).

Local programs, such as those in cities like San Francisco, may offer additional support like food, cash, or health aid, but these are not uniform nationwide. Undocumented immigrants may also access services from non-profit organizations without immigration verification requirements.

Types of Taxes Paid by Undocumented Immigrants

Income Taxes:
- Undocumented immigrants often pay federal and state income taxes. Many use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the IRS, which allows individuals without a Social Security Number (SSN) to file taxes.
- In 2021, an estimated 6 million undocumented immigrants filed tax returns, contributing roughly $79.7 billion in total taxes, including $27 billion in federal income taxes and $9.9 billion in state income taxes.
- Some use fraudulent SSNs or work under false identities, which still results in income tax withholding by employers.
Payroll Taxes:
- Undocumented workers contribute to Social Security and Medicare through payroll taxes deducted from their wages. In 2010, they paid an estimated $13 billion into Social Security, despite being ineligible for most benefits.
- These contributions are often made under ITINs or mismatched SSNs, meaning they fund programs they cannot access.
Sales and Excise Taxes:
- Undocumented immigrants pay sales taxes on goods and services and excise taxes on items like gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco, as these are applied universally at the point of purchase.
- These taxes contributed to the $79.7 billion total tax revenue from undocumented immigrants in 2021.
Property Taxes:
- Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes either directly (if they own property) or indirectly (through rent, as landlords factor taxes into rental costs). In 2021, they contributed an estimated $42.8 billion in state and local taxes, including property taxes.

How Undocumented Immigrants Pay Taxes

ITIN Usage: The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who need to file taxes but lack SSNs. Over 4.3 million ITIN holders, many of whom are undocumented, file taxes annually. They use ITINs to report income from jobs, self-employment, or other sources.
Employer Withholding: Many undocumented immigrants work in industries like construction, agriculture, or hospitality, where employers withhold income and payroll taxes from paychecks. These taxes are remitted to the government regardless of the worker’s status.
Cash Economy and Self-Employment: Some undocumented immigrants work in cash-based jobs or are self-employed. Those using ITINs report this income and pay taxes, though underreporting can occur in informal economies.
Consumer Taxes: Sales and excise taxes are paid automatically when purchasing taxable goods or services, requiring no special process.
Property Ownership or Rent: Undocumented immigrants can own property in some states, paying property taxes directly. Renters contribute indirectly as landlords include tax costs in rent.

Additional Context

Economic Impact: Undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the economy, with an estimated $13 billion in net fiscal contributions annually, as their tax payments often exceed the cost of public services they use.
Barriers to Benefits: Despite paying into systems like Social Security and Medicare, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for most federal benefits, such as Social Security payments or non-emergency Medicaid.
State Variations: Some states, like California and New York, have programs encouraging tax filing among undocumented immigrants, offering state-level credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to ITIN filers.

For specific guidance on tax filing or benefits, undocumented immigrants should consult tax professionals or organizations like the IRS or local non-profits, as policies can vary by state and change over time.

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The Climate Clock

Renewables

Renewables

OFF SHORE WIND:
Content, updates, and call top action:

by IAS climate team member: Anntonnette Zembrzuska Alberti

Renewable energy is accelerating worldwide having reached nearly 30% of global electricity; in the U.S., the renewable market is driven by falling costs, public demand, and climate policy. Costs of solar wind and battery storage continue to drop, making them cheaper than fossil fuels in many markets. Globally China is the top investor and installer, followed by the E. U. In the US renewables now supply over 23% of US electricity with wind and solar providing the bulk of it. Battery storage and the EV market is expanding but renewable energy is imperiled by cuts in the recently passed Congressional bill and withholding of funds and incentives provided by Inflation Reduction Act investments. Challenges include infrastructure, grid capacity,transmission line bottlenecks, permitting delays and fossil fuel lobbying." (information taken from chatgpt as of mid July 2025).

IAS Member Action Helps Restart Critical Offshore Wind Project
Earlier this month, Indivisible ADK Saratoga members contacted congressional representatives in support of the Empire Wind offshore wind project—one of the most important clean energy projects in New York. At stake was a federal Stop Work Order that threatened to delay construction and undermine the state’s ability to meet its climate targets.Thanks to calls and advocacy, the Stop Work Order has now been lifted—a major win for clean energy, union jobs, and efforts to avoid new fossil fuel infrastructure like natural gas pipelines. Our collective action helped get this project back on track.

The Trump administration targeted offshore wind on day one by issuing an executive order aimed at halting progress on clean energy in federal waters. While the Stop Work Order on Empire Wind has been lifted, other offshore wind projects remain at risk, with similar delays or disruptions still possible. This is part of a broader effort to undermine climate action and prop up fossil fuel interests. We will need to stay vigilant and ready to mobilize again to protect the clean energy future New York—and the planet—desperately needs. We’re proud that our chapter could play a role in protecting progress toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future for New York.

Critical IRA Threat: Act Now to Protect Clean Energy Investments

After celebrating the lifting of the stop work order for the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project, we now must turn to protecting critical IRA investments in clean energy. The massive Reconciliation proposal rescinding critical Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) clean energy investment and manufacturing tax credits passed a second important House of Representatives Committee the week of May 20, 2025 and cleared another hurdle on its way a final passage in the House.
At this writing the senate has yet to pass this bill; we need our renewable energy supporters to help fight for the best bill possible. Several senate Republicans are already warning drastic cuts to the IRA would kill jobs and investments in their states. We need everyone to call their federal representatives today. Urge your U.S. Senator and Congressperson to support offshore wind and clean energy to protect the good jobs you’re creating in your district and state by standing up against the Reconciliation proposal.

This current bill proposal will impact multiple, shovel-ready offshore energy projects and harm American manufacturers and shipbuilders by: Killing renewable projects by sunsetting development tax credits years early, and imposing unworkable regulations on when tax credits can be realized, making it harder to finance a renewable project and driving up costs by killing tax credit transferability, increasing unavoidable penalties for participating global supply chain and harming American factories and shipbuilding by targeting offshore wind manufacturing tax credits unfairly .

Climate/Pollution Lawsuits

Climate/Pollution Lawsuits (filed both against and by the government or industry)

Not intended as comprehensive but illustrates through examples the legal landscape in re: to climate and pollution.

Suing to Restore Environmental Tools Scrubbed from Federal Websites

Shortly after the Trump regime took over in January 2025, it started removing essential information about climate change and environmental justice from the websites of various agencies — including the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The deleted pages were key to explaining how communities around the country are harmed by or benefit from energy, environmental, and transportation policies and…how pollution affects disadvantaged communities (which) supplied a means by which community advocates can explain environmental harms. They provided the foundation for public participation in regulatory and legislative processes. On April 14 — on behalf of the Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and others — Public Citizen filed suit in federal court challenging the removal of numerous interactive pages related to climate change and environmental justice from publicly accessible, and taxpayer-funded, government websites. On May 16, we filed a motion for a preliminary injunction”. from Public Citizen

Empire Wind

In 2025 the Trump Administration put a stay on Empire Wind 1, off shore wind project. This delay jeopardizes New York’s climate goals, energy security, manufacturing investments, and thousands of clean energy jobs. The stakes are high: offshore wind energy offers New Yorkers reliable, affordable, energy that insulates us from fossil fuel price shocks while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supports the electrification of heating and transportation, and reduces the need for new gas pipelines and LNG (liquified natural gas) gasification facilities. New York State has joined several other states in challenging the order through a lawsuit. This is about more than one project. It’s about whether we allow fossil fuel interests and authoritarian overreach to override science, law, and public will. It’s about whether New York—and the United States at large—will lead or fall behind in the global clean energy race. Offshore wind energy is essential to replacing fossil fuels, improving grid resilience, and protecting the climate. Halting projects now undercuts years of planning and billions in investment, while sending a chilling message to clean energy.

Youth-Led Constitutional Climate Lawsuit

In May 2025, 22 young Americans, aged 7 to 25, filed a lawsuit against former President Trump and federal agencies, alleging that executive orders promoting fossil fuel production violated their constitutional rights to life and liberty. The plaintiffs argue that these policies exacerbated climate change and degraded air quality, directly impacting their health. Represented by Our Children's Trust, they seek to undo the executive orders and assert that Trump lacked the authority to weaken environmental protections under the Clean Air Act. The Guardian+1The Verge+1Wikipedia+2The Verge+2The Guardian+2”

Challenges to Offshore Drilling Expansion

Environmental groups, including Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, filed lawsuits against the Trump administration's efforts to expand offshore oil and gas drilling. One lawsuit targeted an executive order revoking protections for 625 million acres of federal waters, arguing that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act does not authorize the president to revoke previous withdrawals. Another lawsuit aimed to reinstate protections for nearly 130 million acres in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, emphasizing the ecological risks of drilling in these sensitive areas. Earthjustice+2euronews+2The Guardian+2The Guardian+1euronews+1”

Legal Action Over Climate Information Censorship

Earthjustice, along with other organizations, sued the Trump administration for removing climate-related information from government websites. The lawsuit contends that this censorship violates federal law and hampers farmers, researchers, and advocates who rely on such information to adapt to climate change. The plaintiffs seek to restore access to vital climate data and prevent further purging of information from federal platforms. Earthjustice

Bears Ears National Monument Reduction Lawsuits

In December 2017, following President Trump's proclamation to reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument, three federal lawsuits were filed by Native American tribes, conservation groups, and NGOs. The plaintiffs argue that only Congress has the authority to revoke or modify a national monument, rendering Trump's action unlawful. These cases challenge the administration's attempts to diminish protections for culturally and environmentally significant lands. The Guardian+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3

Dakota Access Pipeline Legal Challenges

After President Trump signed an executive order in January 2017 to advance the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe filed legal actions. They contended that the pipeline's construction violated the National Environmental Policy Act and infringed upon tribal treaty rights. Despite initial setbacks, these legal challenges highlighted concerns over environmental justice and indigenous rights. Wikipedia

In working to advance clean energy, primarily democratic state attorneys general (AGs) brought dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration between 2017 and 2020 and against the fossil fuel industry up to the present, targeting rollbacks of environmental protections and climate regulations. Here are some of the major categories and notable AG lawsuits related to climate and pollution.

The tracker below from NY School of Law shows climate and pollution cases brought during Biden and Trump administrations.

AG Actions Databasehttps://stateimpactcenter.org/ag-work/ag-actions Last updated May 19, 2025.

Search our database Examples:

16 AG’s oppose rule to weaken Endangered Species Protections,
9 AG’s vs. FCC opposing proposal to bypass environmental review
NJ AG (with DEP) settlement case with 3M
20 AG’s vs Federal Administration for leveraging disaster emergency funds for immigration policies
18 AG’s sued Trump Administration over wind halt
17 AG’s sought restoration of congressionally approved EV Funds

2023 Actions/Cases:
Six AGs Sent Comments on Federal Ocean Justice Strategy

Twenty-One AGs Sent Comments Calling on EPA to Set Even Stricter Emissions Standards for Light- and Medium-Duty Vehicles

Twelve AGs Sent Comments on Strengthened EPA Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollution from Plastics Manufacturing

Other examples of some of the major categories and notable AG lawsuits related to climate and pollution (source chatgpt):

According to resources like the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU Law, state AGs filed over 150 environmental legal actions during the Trump administration — many of them involving climate, air, and water protections.

Clean Power Plan / Affordable Clean Energy Rule: States sued the EPA for replacing the Clean Power Plan (Obama-era carbon emissions rule for power plants) with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, arguing it weakened emissions standards. Lead AGs: New York (Letitia James), California (Xavier Becerra).Outcome: In 2021, the D.C. Circuit Court struck down the ACE Rule, paving the way for a return to stronger regulation (later affected by West Virginia v. EPA 2022).

Methane Emissions Rollback: States challenged the EPA’s rollback of rules regulating methane leaks from oil and gas operations. Some rules were reinstated or delayed due to litigation; ultimately, the Biden administration reversed the rollback.

Fuel Economy and Vehicle Emission Standards: States opposed the Trump administration’s rollback of Obama-era fuel efficiency standards (SAFE Rule) and the attempt to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waiver. Lead AGs: California (Becerra), Massachusetts, New York. Outcome: California's right to set its own standards was ultimately restored under Biden, but litigation during Trump slowed implementation. Two bills introduced in March in the U.S. Senate seek to amend the Clean Air Act (CAA) to limit or eliminate waivers granted to California allowing the state to adopt and enforce emissions regulations that are stricter than federal regulations. Apr 30, 2025 (google)

Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) States opposed EPA’s efforts to weaken justification for regulating mercury emissions from coal plants. The rollback undermined public health and was procedurally flawed.

NEPA and Environmental Reviews: AGs sued over the Trump administration’s weakening of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which reduced environmental review requirements for major infrastructure projects. Changes were challenged as unlawful and environmentally harmful.

Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule: States challenged the Trump EPA's narrowing of federal water protections, arguing the new definition left many waterways unprotected. Lead AGs: California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington. Courts blocked the Trump-era rule in several states. Biden’s EPA later revised it again.

HFCs and the SNAP Program: AGs challenged the EPA’s rollback of limits on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. Courts sided with the challengers in NRDC v. EPA (2017), restricting EPA's rollback efforts.

States Frequently Involved: California, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Illinois — often formed the core coalition.

Main legal and policy offensives the Trump administration launched against state-led climate and pollution efforts
(this information was extracted from chatgpt)

The Trump administration did not frequently sue state attorneys general (AGs) directly in the same way AGs sued the administration. However, the Trump administration did take legal and administrative actions targeting state environmental policies, especially those led by Democratic-led states like California, New York, and Massachusetts. These actions often resulted in lawsuits or countersuits, forming legal battles with AGs rather than the federal government being the plaintiff in conventional lawsuits.

Federal Lawsuits Against State Climate Actions In April 2025, the Trump administration's Department of Justice filed lawsuits against Hawaii, Michigan, New York, and Vermont to block state-level climate initiatives. These states had enacted or planned laws holding fossil fuel companies financially responsible for climate damages. The DOJ argued that such state actions interfere with federal authority, increase energy costs, and disrupt the national energy market, asserting that the Clean Air Act preempts state regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. SDG News+2The Washington Post+2Climate Change Litigation+2The Guardian

Challenge to California’s Clean Car Authority: Counter-lawsuit: California and allied AGs sued the Trump administration to retain their Clean Air Act waiver. The case became part of broader litigation over vehicle emissions (SAFE Rule). (2019)

Attack on California’s Cap-and-Trade Agreement with Quebec: A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2021, ruling that California’s agreement did not violate federal authority. (2019)

Pushback on State-Led Climate Litigation Against Oil Companies: While not always direct plaintiffs, Trump administration agencies filed amicus briefs or took positions supporting fossil fuel companies in cases where state AGs (e.g., in New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota) sued ExxonMobil, Shell, and others for climate deception.

Sanctuary City-Style Retaliation Tactics for Environmental Policy: While not technically lawsuits, the Trump administration threatened funding cuts and other punishments for states like California over environmental standards and pollution policies (e.g., methane rules, water quality).These threats sometimes led to preemptive legal action or injunctions by state AGs.

As of 2025, no RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) case has successfully moved forward against fossil fuel companies in court — but the idea has been raised repeatedly and threatened in the context of climate deception lawsuits. The “Exxon Knew” Movement is based on investigative journalism (e.g., Inside Climate News, L.A. Times) alleging that ExxonMobil knew about climate risks since the 1970s but funded denial campaigns. Legal scholars and groups like the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) have called for RICO investigations.The framing often echoes the U.S. v. Philip Morris (2006) case, where the DOJ used RICO successfully against tobacco companies for fraudulently concealing the harms of smoking.

RICO Claims Proposed – But Not Yet Ruled On:

ExxonMobil and Climate Fraud Investigations (2015–2016)

City and State Lawsuits Referencing RICO-Like Behavior (But Not Filing RICO Claims)Rhode Island v. Chevron et al. Filed in 2018, this is one of over two dozen climate deception lawsuits brought by states, counties, and cities. While not a RICO case, the lawsuit alleges a coordinated campaign of deception by fossil fuel companies.Legal claims center around public nuisance, failure to warn, and consumer protection laws, not RICO. Similar lawsuits filed by:New York City,Massachusetts (AG Maura Healey), Minnesota, Baltimore, San Francisco/Oakland

ExxonMobil Strikes Back with Its Own Alleged RICO Claims: ExxonMobil v. Healey / Schneiderman (2016). ExxonMobil sued AGs from Massachusetts and New York, claiming their investigations violated the company’s constitutional rights and were part of a conspiracy involving activists and state officials.Exxon tried to frame this as a RICO-style conspiracy, but courts rejected this framing and the case was dismissed.

Several lawsuits related to plastics and pollution were filed against the Trump administration by states, environmental groups, and coalitions of attorneys general.

While the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda focused more on fossil fuels and air/water rules, some of its actions (or inactions) on plastic pollution, chemical waste, and hazardous materials led to notable legal challenges. Here's a focused summary:

1. Lawsuit Over Failure to Regulate Plastic Waste Under the Clean Water Act; Plaintiffs: Environmental groups (e.g., Center for Biological Diversity) (2020)

2. Rollback of Chemical Accident Prevention Rule (EPA Risk Management Program);Court Outcome: In 2020, the D.C. Circuit upheld parts of the rollback but questioned EPA’s rationale — a partial legal win for plaintiffs.

3. TSCA Lawsuits – Toxic Substances and Plastics Chemicals; In 2021, the Ninth Circuit ruled that EPA must revise its risk evaluations, including legacy uses.

4. Microplastics and Marine Pollution – Inaction Allegations; EPA Inaction on Ocean Plastic Waste:No major lawsuit directly on this issue during Trump’s term, but groups filed petitions and threatened legal action

Related Environmental Rollbacks Affecting Plastic Pollution: see chart below. Though not always plastic-specific, several rollbacks under Trump indirectly increased plastic and pollution risks, prompting lawsuits:

Issue	Filed By	Law Invoked	Status
Refusal to Regulate Plastic Waste	Center for Biological Diversity	Clean Water Act	Pending/Shifted under Biden
Chemical Safety Rollbacks (TSCA)	NRDC, Earthjustice, State AGs	Clean Water At	Pending/Shifted
Chemical Accident Prevention Rollback	State AGs + NGOs	Clean Air Act (RMB Rule)	Mixed ruling (part upheld, part question)
NEPA Rollbacks (Affecting Plastic Infra	Multiple State AGs	National Environmental Policy Act (NE	Suits filed; many reversed under Biden

Using headlines to explain how TARIFFS may IMPACT NYS

Using articles with links and underlines to provide information:

Tariffs' effects on NY state electricity. NY gets about 5% of its electricity from Tariffs:

The tariffs on electricity from Canada could significantly impact New York State's electricity prices. The federal administration's focus on tariffs has created uncertainty about the future of US-Canada relations, which could lead to increased electricity rates. While only a portion of the electricity bill is subject to tariffs, even a 25% tariff could increase a $100 monthly bill by about $8. This could put additional costs on the system and strain the financial resources of consumers. The New York Independent System Operator is actively pursuing guidance on how the electricity market would be affected by these tariffs.

www.rochesterfirst.com/news/discussing-potential-electricity-price-hikes-in-new-york-following-canadas-tariff-change/

This report from Spectrum news examines the impact the 10% energy tariff could have on natural gas, heating oil, propane, diesel and gasoline imports, and a range of impacts a 10-25% tariff could have on electricity imports.

The agencies reported that uncertainties regarding Trump's trade policy made it difficult to forecast precise impacts, and cost increases "will not be material in the near-term" due to the state's energy policies.

"However, the cost increases will be borne by households and businesses across New York and, over time, with added influence from tariffs on other sectors, New Yorkers could experience compounding cost impacts," the state DPS said in a statement.

It also notes that continued assistance from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is essential to help vulnerable New York households pay for their utilities.

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2025/03/20/tariffs-threaten-to-raise-utility-costs-in-new-york--state-report-says

About $378 million of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding remains to be distributed. Without federal staff, some experts and advocates worry that low-income customers won’t be able to pay for cooling as the months get hotter.

Yes, LIHEAP has been cut. The Trump administration eliminated the entire staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which affects its ability to manage and distribute funds. This decision has raised concerns among advocates and program users about the potential loss of assistance for low-income households, as the program provides critical support for heating and cooling costs 2 4 6.

www.stlpr.org/2025-04-14/liheap-federal-layoffs-utility-assistance-funding

Low-income families can still get LIHEAP assistance with their heating bills to help defray the possible increase with tariffs, but the 47 regime wants to do away with the program.

NY Climate Act

NYS Issues

New York’s Climate Act, the CLCPA (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act) passed in 2019, requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050.

The state’s 2022 scoping plan which outlined how New York can reach these goals, included a recommendation for a cap-and-invest program to cap emissions by making corporate polluters pay for permits equal to their approved emissions amounts and then invest the proceeds into our neighborhoods, with at least 35% of those investments going to disadvantaged communities. By 2030, the cap-and-invest program will raise between 6 and 12 billion dollars every year for climate action. And corporate polluters would foot the bill, not New York households.

Governor Hochul passed a rough outline of New York’s cap-and-invest policy through the state budget in 2023, and though the regulations were due in January 2024, she delayed the program. Instead of releasing the full set of draft regulations at once, the Governor has released only one set of regulations: the draft greenhouse gas reporting rule, which details how polluting entities should report, but not lower, their emissions. Beginning the week of June 2,2025 there was a public comment period to tell the Governor to release the regulations for Cap and Invest.

Statement by NYS Third Act, winter 2025:

“Governor Kathy Hochul is responsible for ensuring that New York State meets the requirements of the New York Climate Law (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act)..In the Governor 2024 Climate Report Card issued by the Climate Can’t Wait Coalition, Hochul has… aligned with fossil fuel interests and corporate utilities who oppose the transition of the state economy to renewable energy generation, and since 2021 her administration has set a course of incrementalism... With the Trump administration’s climate and environmental policies worsening the climate crisis, state action on climate may now be the most effective way to avert critical climate tipping points…Third Act Upstate New York and Third Act NYC have as a top priority advocating for the full funding and implementation of the Climate Act through new state legislation.

Attention will also be on furthering existing climate laws, notably:

The Build Public Renewables Act
the All Electric Buildings Act
the Climate Change Superfund Act

and passing:

Insure Our Communities Act (A3842 Forrest / S186 Hoylman-Sigal)
Oppose - Clean Fuel Standard Act (A472 Woerner / S1343 Parker)
Stop Climate Polluter Handout Act (A3675 Simon / S3606 Krueger)
Climate Liability Act (A72 Solages / S4799 Myrie)
Utility Intervenor Reimbursement Act (A836 Solages / S2477 Parker)
Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Fund (A2101 Kelles / S3315 Gonzalez)
NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (A4870A Simon / S4158 Krueger)
Bucks for Boilers Act (A____ Stirpe / S3476 Rivera)
Renewable Capitol Act (A3466 Romero / S4842 Fahy)
Packaging Reduction Act (A1749 Glick / S1464 Harckham)
Implementation of Existing Climate Laws & Programs
Full implementation of Build Public Renewables Act

https://www.nypa.gov/-/media/nypa/documents/document-

library/renewables/2024-conferral

Regulations for Cap-and-Invest Program
Guardrails Bill: A3975 Kelles / S4651 Parker
NY Renews - Fund Climate Campaign

Cap-and-Invest Program - to be deposited in the Climate Action Fund

Climate Lobbying

Climate Smart Community Groups

Lobbying and interaction/letters to officials

The following municipalities (and county) within the IAS district are currently certified as Climate Smart Communities. CSC is a New York State program that helps local governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. The program offers grants, rebates for electric vehicles

and free technical assistance:

Town of Clifton Park (Bronze) certified April 2025

Town of Ballston (Bronze) certified April 2025

City of Saratoga Springs (Bronze) certified March 2020

City of Glens Falls (Bronze) certified September 2021

Town of Queensbury (Bronze) certified September 2021

Warren County (Bronze) certified May 2020

Village of Lake George (Bronze) certified March 2020

Town of Lake George (Bronze) certified March 2020

Additionally, the following municipalities are registered with the program but not certified:
Town of Milton

Village of Stillwater

Village of Schuylerville

Town of Bolton

Town of Chester
Town of Hebron

Town of Salem

Village of Cambridge

Warren County (Bronze recertified summer 2025)

CLIMATE/Environmental/pollution GROUPS

WARREN/ WASHINGTON/SARATOGA COUNTIES

(page in progress)

NORTH COUNTRY EARTH ACTION: response and action team. www.northcountryearthaction.org North Country Light Brigade, Visibility Brigade.

Town of Queensbury: Climate Smart (CSC) and Clean Energy (CEC) committees, affiliated with NYSERDA and DEC. promoting Tree City status for a tree inventory, renewable installation options and incentives, a Climate Action Plan and a community based consumption GHG inventory.

Warren County: CSC committee, similar to above projects and umbrella to area cimate action committees.

CAT: (Climate Action Team-information support team to County Supervisors and to the County CSC). The 2 team committee attends the Board of Supervisor meeting quarterly and is in communication with the County Environmental Economic Concern committee, promoting interaction between Supervisors and community.

IndivisibleADK/Saratoga: Climate Team https://indivisiblesaratogaadk.com/climate; addressing US and NYS climate legislation and policy, industry, banking, transportation etc. issues and keep forefront the overall urgency of “Putting out the Planetary Fire” (Mark Dunlea title) even as the present administration fans its flames. Establishing a resource bank of useful information.

Assembly Point Water Quality Coalition: www.assemblypt.com. Protection of water quality through best practices on land; action through lobbying, engagement with officials and town boards, zoning and planning boards and comprehensive plans, research and partnering with other lake wide environmental organizations (LGA Waterkeeper, Cleverdale/Rockhurst Stewardship Group).

Clean Air Action Network: www.cleanairactionnetwork.org

Addressing polluters and pollution in the Greater Glens Falls area, ie:Wheelabrator (largest air polluter in Warren and Washington Counties).

Zero Waste Warren County: working with the County and ACEC (non profit) grassroots advocacy group for county recycling and compost capacity. Partnering with the Town of Queensbury promoting the Queensbury Re Use shed at the Ridge St. Transfer Station, the Farmers Market Compost collection booth. www.zerowastewarrenco.org

Sustainable Saratoga: www.sustainablesaratoga.org/climate-of-hope. Saratoga Springs certification is up for renewal in September 2025.
The Climate Smart Task Force initiated Solarize Saratoga to help homeowners and small businesses through the process of going solar while saving up to 20% of total installation costs. www.saratogasprings.org/2413/Climate-Smart-Task-Force

AND: (please submit any additional groups we may not have listed)

Protect the Adirondacks: Claudia Braymer, Executive Director

The Lake George Association and the Lake George Waterkeeper: (Chris Navitsky)

The Lake George Land Conservancy

Darrin Freshwater Institute

The Jefferson Project

The Adirondack Council

Albany Area:

Capital Area Climate Network:
capital-area-climate-network@googlegroups.com.

PAUSE: http://www.pausenergy.org/ People of Albany United for Safe Energy
GELF:Green Education and Legal Fund Inc.
Climate Reality: Lois Gudrun
Judith Enck: Beyond Plastics (former Obama appointed EPA environmental regional director)
Bob Cohen: Citizen Action of New York and Public Policy and Education Fund

Statewide and Regional Coalitions:

NY Renews Advocates for environmental justice, clean energy, and climate policy aligned with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).Notable Campaigns: NY HEAT Act, Climate, Jobs, and Justice Package .Website

Environmental Advocates NY Policy advocacy on climate, water, waste, and clean air at the state level.: Key player in legislative lobbying and tracking environmental legislation.Website

New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) Non-partisan organization that evaluates legislators and promotes pro-environment voting.Initiatives: Clean transportation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and renewable energy.Website

Grassroots & Community-Based Groups

350Brooklyn / 350NYC: Local branches of the 350.org movement working on fossil fuel divestment, public banking, and local climate resilience.350Brooklyn / 350NYC

SANE Energy Project:Opposes fossil fuel infrastructure, promotes community energy and public power in New York.Fighting gas peaker plants and National Grid expansions.Website

ALIGN NY (Alliance for a Greater New York),Labor and climate justice coalition. Leads the Climate Works for All campaign for green union jobs and equitable climate action.Website

Environmental Justice Organizations

WE ACT for Environmental Justice Harlem, NY, Racial and environmental justice, especially in frontline communities. Works on air quality, transit, housing, and clean energy access.Website

UPROSE Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Youth-led, climate justice organizing with a focus on coastal resilience and just transition.Website

Youth-Led & Academic Groups

Sunrise Movement NY Hubs (e.g., NYC, Ithaca, Buffalo) Youth-led movement advocating for the Green New Deal and climate equity.Website

Cornell Climate Justice Cornell (CJC) & Columbia Climate School Initiatives Student-led campaigns for university divestment, green campus policies, and community climate justice partnerships.

Earth Justice

Food and Water Watch: Eric Weltman, NYC

Fridays for Future NYC
Part of the global climate strike movement inspired by Greta Thunberg. Organizes mass mobilizations and policy advocacy actions

Statewide & Policy-Focused Organizations

New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)
A student-led advocacy group active in clean energy policy, climate education, and legislative campaigns.

Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
The New York State chapter of the Sierra Club, one of the largest and oldest environmental organizations in the U.S. Active in fighting fossil fuel infrastructure and promoting renewable energy.

Community & Environmental Justice Organizations

WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Based in Northern Manhattan, WE ACT is a national leader in environmental justice organizing, especially around air quality, housing, and climate resilience.

Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE)
Based in Syracuse, AGREE promotes a clean, just energy future for New York, with a focus on shutting down fossil fuel infrastructure and supporting communities in transition.

Groups Fighting Fossil Fuel Expansion

Stop the Williams Pipeline Coalition
Coalition that successfully fought against the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline. Still active in resisting new fossil fuel projects.

Citizen Lobbying:

Why should climate activists engage our New York elected officials via small groups and lobbying?

Introduction: The First Amendment to the US Constitution and the Lobbying Disclosure Act[1] protects our legal right to lobby. The First Amendment does not use the term “lobbying”, but it states that we have the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” In addition, the Lobbying Disclosure Act provides for the legality of political lobbying. Lobbying does not imply an exchange of funds and should not be misinterpreted as bribery.[2]
Small Group Meetings of like-minded people with our elected officials can be instrumental in educating and shaping the views of those elected who represent us. Citizens can offer subject matter expertise that might not be available or known to our elected officials but can inform public policy. Often, constituents can share valuable life experiences with our elected officials that can shape environmental policy decisions that impact all of us.
Lobbying at the NYS Capitol is a vital way that constituents can influence our elected officials on specific environmental legislative public policy issues that affect all of us. Climate activists are not asking for special treatment – we desire to mitigate environmental deterioration and climate chaos.

What occurred in the Senate and Assembly this past session to environmental and climate bills?

Environmental Advocates NY (EANY) provides a superb summary of bills being considered[3], assessing the environmental benefits vs detrimental risks of each bill. Their multi-tiered rating system weights bills according to their potential impacts on NY’s environment. Climate Action Team conclusion:
Despite Senate passage, most of these bills were not brought to the Assembly floor for a vote.
Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director, EANY wrote a synopsis (“Albany Missed the Moment—And New Yorkers Are Paying the Price”; 6/18/25) of what transpired[4]:
She stated: “This should have been a breakthrough year for environmental action in New York. The Senate did its part—advancing a slate of legislation to clean up our air and water, rein in corporate polluters, and protect public health. But the Assembly? Once again, it left the job unfinished.”
Further: “Despite overwhelming public support—and months, sometimes years, of sustained advocacy from New Yorkers across the state—most major environmental bills were left to die in committee or stall in backroom discussions. Not for lack of substance. Not for lack of support. But because too many decision-makers calculated that inaction was the safer political choice.”
Yet further: “We heard the excuses: the politics are tough, the budget’s tight, and members are under pressure. But when elected officials decide that defending the basic building blocks of public health is too politically risky, that’s not realism—it’s dereliction of duty.”

How should we as climate action environmental voters respond to this “dereliction of duty”?

Continuing to gather groups of like-minded constituents to carefully research issues, meticulously present the issues in a concise & credible way to our Assemblymembers, and travel to Albany to lobby and persuade them[5], yet expecting a positive outcome is non-productive and demoralizing.
Instead, we could engage with environmental groups in NY to determine potential Assembly candidates who might run for office in districts with Assemblymembers who failed to act in an environmentally prudent manner. We can engage with these environmental groups to ascertain potential candidates in the Speaker’s district who might primary him in the next election.
- IAS Climate Action Team could then work to help elect environmentally minded candidates.
New York State must elect responsive and responsible Assemblymembers. Provided this occurs, New Yorkers will be able to meet with our Assemblymembers in transparent & productive ways.
Stated simply: We need an alternative approach to ensure that environmentally sound legislation is passed in New York!!!

[1] Amdt1.7.13.5 Lobbying: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt1-7-13-5/ALDE_00013494/

[2] https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/043015/why-lobbying-legal-and-important-us.asp#toc-first-amendment-protection

[3] https://eany.org/our-work/2025-bill-memos-2/

[4] https://eany.org/press_release/albany-missed-the-moment-and-new-yorkers-are-paying-the-price/

[5] Examples of bills Environmental Activists lobbied for and against: The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A.1749 (Glick)/ S.1464 (Harckham)) – terrific bill that the Speaker did not bring to Assembly floor; Clean Fuel Standard bill (A.472-A (Woerner)/S.1343-A (Parker)) – terrible bill that did not pass out of committee.