ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Governor Kathy Hochul met praise and criticism after announcing a new $1 billion climate plan to advance clean energy projects across New York. The initiative, called the Sustainable Future Program, represents the largest single climate investment in New York’s history, targeting everything from school buildings to public transit.

The program, first announced in her State of the State address, will invest $50 million into EmPower+ to give low- and moderate-income residents home energy checkups and upgrades, with a focus on installing heat pumps, sometimes known as mini-splits. A heat pump moves heat efficiently for both heating and cooling.

The plan dedicates $200 million to expanding thermal energy networks, which share heating and cooling pipes between multiple

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