Four influential business and labor organizations on Monday in a joint statement signaled where they agree on the direction the state's climate change policies should take as officials develop a plan for transitioning New York's energy to more renewable and cleaner forms of fuel in the coming decades. 

The groups — The Independent Power Producers of New York, The Business of New York State, the New York State AFL-CIO, and the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council — in a rare joint statement called for seven principles to guide the prcoess and address "shortcomings" in the current version of a draft plan under consideration by the State's Climate Action Council. 

Broadly, the groups called for safe and reliable energy infrastructure, maintain and develop it, communicate the effects on energy consumers and businesses, the creation of union jobs, using markets to reach decarbonization, reduce emissions in all sectors, and back "fuel diversity." 

"Business and labor share a common goal of assuring that energy and environmental policies are developed in a way to maximize in-state economic opportunities, stemming from our significant investments in energy technology, and facility and building upgrades, while avoiding actions that cause out-of-state leakage of economic activity, jobs, or emissions," said Heather Briccetti, the president of the Business Council. "As we move toward a 100% zero emission electric generation fleet and net-zero carbon economy, we also need to maintain a reliable energy system, be open and honest about the cost and benefits of compliance options, and keep all reasonable options on the table."

The proposals under score the massive stakes for jobs, utilities and businesses in New York as the climate change plan is being discussed and negotiated in the coming months. A final draft plan is due in January. 

The decades-long transition is expected to remake how New Yorkers get their energy and power their cars, homes and businesses in order to curtail the effects of burning carbon-based fuels. 

"Combating climate change while protecting workers is a top priority for the Union Movement," said New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento. "We are committed to being a leader in this fight and look forward to working with our diverse partners to find solutions that will achieve the State’s ambitious clean energy goals while creating and retaining high quality union jobs. To do this; we must utilize every avenue we can with all options on the table. None of this will be easy but working together, we can seize on this opportunity to address climate change, invest in our workforce and meet our climate goals for future generations."