Pro-enviro group backs Jumaane and No. 2 Archila

ALBANY — A youth-oriented environmental group known for making waves in Washington is backing Jumaane Williams and Ana Maria Archila as the pair of progressives unveil their climate platform.

The Sunrise Movement’s endorsement of Williams (photo below) and Archila in their respective bids for governor and lieutenant governor in the upcoming Democratic primary comes after climate-focused groups expressed frustration with Gov. Hochul’s reluctance to sign a cryptocurrency mining moratorium and the Legislature’s failure to approve a renewable energy bill.

“We’re confident that Jumaane and Ana Maria will bring bold progressive leadership to Albany and will be fierce advocates for environmental justice and the working people of New York,” Alex Graves and Tyler Hack, Sunrise NYC’s political endorsements team leaders, said in a statement.

Williams, currently the city public advocate, is facing off against Hochul and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-L.I.) in the June 28 primary.

He and Archila are rolling out a New York-focused Green New Deal that they say would accelerate the state’s transition away from fossil fuels and move New York toward renewable energy and publicly owned utilities.

“Jumaane and I are the only ones in this race with a comprehensive plan to deliver a Green New Deal for New York, and we’re committed to making sure our state meets the climate crisis with the bold policies and resources required,” Archila said.

The two also want to see more investments in green infrastructure and public transit as well as the creation of a state utility consumer advocate. Hochul vetoed a bill creating such an office late last year, arguing that the office would be redundant.

Williams and Archila believe they are the state’s best shot at making the goals set forth three years ago in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Per the law, New York must be powered by 70% renewable energy by 2030 and fully zero-emissions electricity by 2040.

Less than a third of the energy generated in the state currently comes from renewable sources.

“Climate can’t wait, and New York can’t go another four years with climate policy coming second to cryptocurrency or corporate donors,” Williams said. “As we look ahead to the final weeks of the campaign, I’m proud to partner with them again to advance a vision to combat the climate crisis with urgency and with equity.”

Several environmental bills that would have helped the state attain some its climate goals failed to gain approval this year.

The state Legislature approved a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining, but Hochul wouldn’t say whether she intends to sign it.