For the Many fights for Utility Justice in New York

For the Many is a grassroots movement fighting to transform New York state so that it works for all people. Since 2012 For the Many has been bringing people together across race and age to fight for laws and win elections that put the power back in the hands of the people to create a more just future. Notably For the Man works on specific policy initiatives as well as electoral politics in order to build people power and win campaigns

Earth Rising is proud to support their climate energy justice campaign. In the past year this campaign sent over 100,000 text messages, made over 24,000 phone calls and reached over 5000 people in person in support of the campaign. The impact of this work is real. The campaign helped pass the Climate Change Superfund Act which is only the second in the nation, after Vermont. The Act establishes liability for big corporate polluters for their contribution to carbon emissions, and aims to make them pay $3 billion per year for the state to invest in a just transition to a renewable energy economy. The Act will have big impacts in New York and is a big step towards a sustainable and just future in the state.

Additionally, For the Many launched a campaign for The Hudson Valley Power Authority Act. This Act would create a new public authority to acquire the current Hudson Valley region’s for profit utility company. In its place, The Hudson Valley Power Authority would instead run as a publicly-owned and democratic energy utility whose primary goal is to be in the service of its ratepayers and workers by providing low rates, reliable service, correct and easy to understand bills, clean energy, community benets, strong labor protections, and environmental justice. It would cap utility bills at 6% of household income, transfer a portion of its revenue into community-controlled trust funds, take advantage of IRA funding, and be governed by a board where power would be fairly evenly split among workers, experts and elected officials.

For the Many, has also continued their work on the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT). This act would lower energy bills and help the state transition to clean energy. While the fight to pass this act is ongoing, For the Many has helped make meaningful progress towards making it a reality in the lives of everyday New Yorkers. To learn more about the work of For the Many and the crucial impact they are having on environmental justice in New York visit their website here.