With only 16 legislating days left in the session, Congressional Democrats are trying to find a way forward on meaningful climate action. But even if they manage to pass any of the number of bills currently sitting in committee, there's no guarantee the governor will sign them into law. Cuomo, one of 24 governors who has committed his state to upholding the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, has also indicated that he's not interested in passing any more environmental legislation in this session. Meanwhile, critical thresholds continue their portentous advance.

Environmental Advocates of New York called the 2019 state legislative session the “Best Environmental Legislative Session in a Generation” due to passage of several long-desired bills benefiting New York’s environment. However, more than five months after the 2019 session ended, many of those bills are still awaiting action by the governor.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo fired a shot across the bow of yet another utility company this week, when he sent a letter to the state Department of Public Service, directing the agency to broaden its investigation into a moratorium on natural gas imposed by National Grid after the energy provider failed to get approval for a hotly contested pipeline in May.

A group advocating for higher taxes on billionaires and corporations in New York has released a report highlighting millions of dollars Gov. Andrew Cuomo has received from the state’s wealthiest residents and businesses. The coalition of individuals and groups, which is demanding that the state Legislature pass more progressive tax policies, also has plans to disrupt two events this month that are expected to be attended by many of those very donors — including a fundraiser for the governor’s birthday tonight.

The NY Green Bank announced last week that the fourth quarter of 2019 was its strongest to date, adding $117.5 million to its current portfolio — more capital committed than any prior quarter.

In the midst of a battle between New York and its largest downstate utility providers that has resulted in at least two moratoriums on new energy connections and impacted businesses and families in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, a state senator has introduced legislation that would prohibit utilities in New York state from imposing moratoriums on cities with more than 200,000 residents.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced the fifth proposal of his 2020 State of the State Agenda — prohibiting the distribution and use of expanded polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, single-use food containers. The proposal would also ban the sale of expanded polystyrene packaging materials known as packing peanuts and authorize the State Department of Environmental Conservation to review and take action to limit or ban other packaging material upon a finding of environmental impact.

New York State DEC Commissioner has announced changes that are being considered to amend state regulations and designations for protecting endangered and threatened species across the state.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday, claiming that it violated federal law when it issued a “Certificate of Completion” to General Electric Company in April for its removal of polychlorinated biphenyls from the Hudson River.