New York State wants to spend $500,000 on a public relations firm convincing you that climate change is real and to promote state government sponsored clean energy goals.
That is according to a “Request for Proposals (RFP)” sent out by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, commonly known as NYSERDA.
Bids are due by April 8th to NYSERDA, for spinmeisters to pitch their plan on how they will positively promote the 2019 NYS Climate Act and to convince New Yorkers that climate change is not a hoax.
“Good luck to NYSERDA in their hunt for a PR agency that can spin the Climate Act into a workable, affordable law,” said New York State Senator George Borrello.
The controversial 2019 NYS Climate Act states that New York must cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and by 85% by 2050.
This law never specified how this goal would be achieved or who would pay the bill on how to get this done.
It also requires:
Electricity produced in New York to be 100% carbon free by 2040
State owned buildings must report a 23% increase in energy efficiency by 2030
Close all government run fossil fuel plants by 2040
Reduce or end gas powered state vehicles and shift to electric
Promote electric vehicles over gas powered vehicles
Promote the end of gas stoves in favor of electric stoves
As for NYSERDA’s plan to spend $500,000 on a public relations firm, the RFP was sent two weeks after the Empire Center for Public Policy published a blistering report on some of the true costs of the 2019 NYS Climate Act and how methods to achieve its goals are vague. The Empire Center is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank based in Albany.
Since NYSERDA is funded by government sponsored grants and surcharges on your utility bills, Long Island taxpayers are footing the bill for the soon to be named $500,000 public relations firm.
According to the RFP, public relations professionals would be paid half a million dollars to promote the following:
Maintain a positive narrative and conversation around New York State’s clean energy and climate priorities
Immediately address emerging unforeseen events that draw media scrutiny and will develop messaging, strategy, outreach, and execution directed toward multiple audiences
Beat back negative press coverage of the NYS Climate Act
Create and manage a media outreach program to spin New York’s Climate Act goals
Write letters to the editor and opinion pieces for local newspapers, while having other people sign them as their own
The $500,000 public relations contract would last one calendar year.
“Ultimately it matters little what people are told about the Climate Act, by NYSERDA or otherwise. New Yorkers will in short order face higher fuel costs, higher property taxes, higher compliance costs and higher electricity rates, interspersed with news about businesses either leaving or canceling investments because of energy concerns,” wrote Ken Girardin from the Empire Center.