Sen. Pete Harckham

Characterized the NYSERDA memo cited by opponents as fabricated and cherry-picked. Argued that natural gas prices, not climate policy, drive high utility costs, and that clean energy is cheaper than fossil fuels. Cited $800 billion in annual U.S. storm damage and specific infrastructure projects in his district requiring climate resilience investments.

Argued fixed-rate solar contracts protect consumers from volatile fossil fuel prices, citing Community Choice Aggregation data and Texas savings of $30 billion over 10 years. Stated clean energy is cheaper than fossil fuels and nuclear power, and that 95 percent of new global generation is clean energy.

Noted the bill was necessitated by a court lawsuit with a deadline next week, and emphasized that legal dispensaries have strict age verification requirements that prevent youth access.

Supported the bill and noted that the Independent System Operator released a report pointing to natural gas as the cause of electricity price surges, as natural gas is now an international commodity rather than a home-grown energy source.

Argued that New York must set stronger protections than federal standards to prevent PFAS contamination in drinking water systems. Cited studies showing Teflon releases PFAS when heated to 350 degrees and noted that municipalities across New York spend millions remediating PFAS from public water supplies, with Hoosick Falls settlements totaling over $92 million.

The sponsor emphasized that emissions are a global issue and the bill protects New York consumers and investors by requiring transparency. He noted that many large companies already comply with similar requirements in the EU and California, and that compliance costs average $237,000—manageable for multinational corporations. He argued the high penalties are justified to prevent greenwashing and ensure pension funds and investors receive accurate information.

He argued that utilities are the only sector guaranteed both a monopoly and a double-digit return on equity, citing Con Ed's $2 billion in profits over two years. He stated shareholders should absorb costs rather than ratepayers.

Argued that brownfield work funded through public tax credits should require prevailing wage standards. Emphasized the bill passed with bipartisan support last year before gubernatorial veto and that skilled professionals are essential for sensitive cleanup work.

Explained the bill establishes a five-year moratorium on biosolids spreading to address contamination of wells and water quality from PFAS, PFOA, and heavy metals. Called it a confluence of farmer and environmental protection efforts, noting the state's waste management plan currently calls for more biosolids spreading.

Stated over 2,000 New Yorkers die prematurely from fossil fuel consumption. Cited Texas's successful renewable energy expansion post-blackout and noted that grid upgrades would be necessary regardless of this bill due to aging infrastructure. Highlighted potential for 200,000 union jobs in clean energy sector.

Sponsor explained the bill addresses a gap where prepackaged foods (sandwiches, salads) lack allergen labeling unlike federally-regulated packaged goods. He cited a young man who went into anaphylactic shock from an unlabeled prepackaged item and noted over 2 million New Yorkers have food allergies, with 200+ annual deaths nationwide. The bill requires labeling only the nine major allergens, not all ingredients.

Explained that thousands of New Yorkers with disabilities are denied access to public buildings and travel due to lack of adult sanitary changing stations. The bill requires large public buildings including government buildings, Thruway rest stops, stadiums, and museums to install these facilities to break down barriers for veterans, people with traumatic brain injuries, and those with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Spoke about personal experience with his mother's painful death and her desire for control at end of life, arguing the bill provides dignity and choice for those facing terminal illness.

Emphasized that domestic violence and firearms are dangerous together, citing three fatal incidents in Westchester County over six weeks. Noted that 20 percent of women killed in domestic violence are killed within two days of filing an order of protection, making the five-day firearm confiscation period critical for safety planning.

Thanked the sponsor and defended the CLCPA, arguing that grid modernization costs are necessary regardless of renewable energy policy and that clean energy is cheaper than fossil fuels.

Sponsor emphasized that first responders face high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide due to trauma exposure. The bill replicates the successful Dwyer Veterans program and provides confidential peer support, allowing first responders to work with each other and break the stigma of appearing weak.

Sponsor emphasized this is a public health bill addressing microplastics and nanoplastics in human bodies. Cited Consumer Reports study showing zero cost to consumers, noted 315 organizations support the bill, and highlighted that 99% of NY farms are exempted. Defended the 12-year timeline as achievable given technological advances.

The bill's sponsor explained that climate change requires New York to address resilience through coordinated state action. He cited local examples like the $25 million Annsville Circle project needed due to sea level rise and emphasized the need for a resiliency coordinator in every state agency to address flooding, heat, storms, and infrastructure challenges.

Sustainable Futures Program sponsor emphasized union protections and prevailing wage requirements for public spending, noted the program replaces cap-and-invest revenue, and explained that renewable energy investments will lower costs long-term despite short-term ratepayer impacts. Defended the program's flexibility and community-centered approach.

Defended clean energy and zero-emissions transportation, noting that carbon-based fires in vehicles are more prevalent than electric vehicle fires on a numerical and per-capita basis. Highlighted that students on diesel buses breathe 19 times more harmful pollutants than those not on buses.

Supported the bill but noted that gasoline automobile fires and natural gas explosions destroy far more homes and buildings than battery fires, suggesting the risks are being overstated.

He corrected claims about CLCPA costs, noting Chapter 10 details implementation costs developed over thousands of hours. He argued current high utility costs stem from rate cases, weather, and commodity pricing—not CLCPA—and that clean energy is cheaper than carbon-based energy.

Stated constituents are already paying twice—through record oil company profits and through climate damage costs like grid rebuilding and infrastructure repairs. Argued oil companies covered up knowledge of climate harm in the 1970s and should bear responsibility for resiliency costs.

Sponsor emphasized that the bill addresses a massive waste crisis, protects 99% of farmers through exemptions, and shifts disposal costs from taxpayers to manufacturers. Noted that major companies already comply with similar standards in Europe and Canada, and that the bill includes flexibility for companies to meet targets across their entire product line.

Harckham emphasized the suicide crisis on Bridge Authority bridges, noting over 100 completed suicides since 2007 and 35 fatalities in five years. He argued the legislation is vital because 80-90 percent of people reconsider suicide attempts if stopped the first time, making these preventable deaths, and called for united support to protect constituents after the Bridge Authority failed to include fencing in recent procurement.

The bill adds brownfields to prevailing wage coverage while exempting affordable housing. Harckham credited labor partners Marina O'Donnell from the Operating Engineers and Amanda Jensen from the Laborers for their work on the legislation over two years.

The bill protects public health by requiring disclosure of water-testing results to incarcerated individuals, staff, and surrounding communities. More than a million incarcerated individuals face risk of PFAS exposure in correctional facility water.

Called for establishing true cost of government services and questioned colleagues on the other side about revenue proposals while supporting the compromise budget.

Argued that immigration is a federal issue and that asylum seekers are legal immigrants. Cited Stanford University research showing immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans, and contended the state is cleaning up a federal government failure.

Defended battery storage technology, distinguishing utility-scale storage from e-bikes and citing NYSERDA safety studies. Argued for perspective on safety compared to fossil fuel infrastructure.

Sen. Harckham, whose father served in World War II and trained soldiers for Korea, emphasized that veterans' service mattered then, matters now, and matters to world and American history and to children today.

Cited extensive research on harsh environmental and public health consequences of fracking in Pennsylvania, including polluted aquifers, low birth weights, and lung disease. Argued that extracting natural gas via CO2 injection makes no sense given methane is 80 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2.

Thanked Senator Fernandez for adding xylazine test strips, which the sponsor had wanted to include in last year's Matthew's Law but could not secure support.

Electric school buses provide cleaner air for students exposed to 19 times more pollutants on diesel buses, offer lower long-term energy costs, and are ultimately more cost-effective. NYSERDA needs better communication about available state and federal funding to support districts.

The costs of the climate plan are fully documented in Chapter 10 of the Climate Scoping Plan available online. Implementation will create over 210,000 high-paying jobs, prevent $265 billion in climate-related economic costs, and save 1,500 New York lives annually from air pollution-related deaths. The state must invest aggressively in resiliency now.

Sponsor argued the bill protects Hudson Valley communities from economic harm caused by tritiated water discharge, noting federal preemption applies only to health impacts. Cited Supreme Court precedent allowing state regulation based on economic impacts and discussed alternative disposal methods used at other facilities.

Geothermal is essential for clean energy transition but current regulations classifying boreholes over 500 feet as oil and gas wells create costly reporting and bonding requirements. The bill allows deeper boreholes, making geothermal more cost-effective and accessible for residential, commercial, and multifamily properties with no fiscal cost to the state.

Praised the sponsor's compromise approach and noted the bill is about human health as much as pollinator protection. Cited loss of 25 percent of bird species globally in the last decade due to pesticide-coated seeds. Referenced Canada's experience showing less than 2 percent of farmers applied for yield-loss waivers, and noted New York's $100 million seed market ensures alternatives will be available. Stated some farmers personally support the bill despite Farm Bureau opposition.

Commended the bill and stressed the need to hold polluters responsible for testing, monitoring, and remediation at the source rather than passing costs to ratepayers, homeowners, and taxpayers.

Harckham explained the bill requires police to seize handguns during domestic violence scenes to provide time for protective orders and safety plans. He cited statistics on intimate partner homicides and noted domestic violence and police groups have requested stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Credited Senator Stec as the primary sponsor and expressed pride in carrying the legislation to passage, voting in the affirmative.

The bill will use the existing retail pharmacy network to distribute fentanyl test strips through standing orders, making this lifesaving harm reduction tool more accessible. The measure was brought forward by Matthew Horan's sister Kailey after Matthew died from a fentanyl overdose in 2020.

Emphasized that stigma is the primary killer and that breaking down barriers requires meeting people unconditionally where they are. He advocated for medication-assisted treatment on demand and noted that every day should be Overdose Awareness Day.

Supported the bill as part of broader housing crisis solutions, noting that keeping people in their current housing is the best way to address affordability and that eviction records should not follow people for life.

Defended the cap-and-invest climate program, noting that 33% of funds will address affordability concerns. Argued that the accounting standard used is scientifically sound and that Maryland has adopted similar standards. Emphasized legislative oversight of fund expenditures.

Defended the measured increases as continuation of efforts to restore funding after 12 years of flat Medicaid rates and clawbacks, noting compounding effects of multi-year increases.

The bill protects drinking water for communities like Cortland, Peekskill, Guilderland, and Waverly that rely on Class C streams. The measure includes exemptions for local governments and farmers with replacement-in-kind provisions for disturbances under 1,000 feet.

Sponsor argued the expansion was always planned under the CLCPA scoping plan and that food waste accounts for emissions equivalent to 42 coal-fired power plants. Stated restaurants save money by eliminating 18 percent of waste tonnage, that food is donated to pantries at no cost to restaurants, and that hardship waivers are available for transportation barriers, with 90 percent of waivers granted in the pilot program.

The bill requires pole owners to maintain poles by removing invasive vines every five years, addressing grid resiliency and reliability. Vines hold water on wooden poles causing rot that weakens them during storms, and his district has experienced significant pole loss during severe weather.

The bill honors American heroes who have won the Congressional Medal of Honor by aligning New York's National Medal of Honor Day with the national holiday, as requested by veterans groups.

Described the bill as a win-win for municipalities and climate goals, allowing solar installations on park parking lots without impacting green space. Noted the bill has passed the Senate twice before in bipartisan fashion and aims to streamline the lengthy alienation process that currently delays solar projects.

The sponsor explained that the amendment streamlines administrative processes and reduces costs by eliminating duplication with existing DEC land acquisition reporting. He clarified that public input remains robust through multiple channels including email and mail, and that local public engagement for individual land acquisitions in districts remains unchanged.