Brian Laird on WNYC. On our Tuesday shows, we like to bring the science on a topic in public health,

often climate related, often other health-related science. And here on the first day of the Pledge

Drive, we're continuing to honor that commitment. Today we go local with news that New York

Governor Kathy Hockel is poised to conduct what's been called a significant rollback of New York's

landmark 2019 climate law. The governor has reportedly spent months urging state lawmakers to scale back

New York's climate mandate, some of the most ambitious in the country, which would have

required the state to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050. Now, the governor

was once considered a major ally in the battle against climate change.

She now says those climate goals would drive up energy costs too high for New Yorkers.

If she sticks to the original timetable, we'll get specific about what she thinks would happen.

So here is Governor Hockel speaking to reporters last week.

I'm demonstrating the hard leadership that this moment requires.

I assure you it would have been far more easy for me to just say, well, that's the law.

Can't do anything about it.

Sorry consumers across the state of New York and businesses.

You got screwed.

It's not your fault, but this is how it is.

Joining us now to break down the latest on this is John Campbell, Albany Reporter for WNYC and Gothamist.

Hey, John, welcome back to the show.

Hey, Brian.

Thank you for having me.

You write about how Governor Hokel's budget deal, which has still not been finalized, calls for scaling back the 2019 Climate Leadership and community protection act, as it was titled,

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