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Protesters object to Barrett's bill to change methane gas emission calculations
More than 60 local residents protested outside of Assemblymember Didi Barrett's office in Hudson on April 8 because of her sponsorship of legislation that would undercut the state's effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Michael Richardson of River and Mountains GreenFaith, one of the organizers of the protest, spoke on WOOC saying, "PLAY OR DOWNLOAD BRIEF EXCERPT." The proposal from Gov. Kathy Hochul and Barrett would align New York with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and federal government and calculate methane gas emissions over 100 years. But New York's Climate Act requires the state review to take place every 20 years, so is more accurate. Barrett voted for that Climate Act, but now argues that her legislation helps consumers by not "strapping steep costs on the back of everyday New Yorkers." Instead, Barrett's plan delays the costs of climate change to future generations. Hochul last week reportedly backed off the proposal in budget negotiations, but until the budget is signed and this year's legislative session is over, the Barrett bill could still get enacted.