This story was first published canary media.
A year ago, New York State passed one of the most ambitious clean energy and climate justice laws in the country.of enact public renewables law For the first time, it gave the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the state-owned public power company, the authority to build and own clean energy projects. If the state fails to meet its ambitious climate change goals, the law requires NYPA to commit to building renewable energy to get the state back on track.
Hailed as a major victory for environmental justice and climate change advocacy groups, the legislation also introduces a program in which low- and moderate-income residents receive credits for clean energy produced by utilities and provides annual training for renewable energy jobs. Allocated $25 million. Among other measures.
But a year later, progress in enforcing the law has been uneven. NYPA says it is making enforcement of the law a priority by laying the groundwork for future renewable power projects, but activists and some policymakers say the utility's plans have so far been transparent. It is difficult to determine whether NYPA is proceeding as planned.Transforming the state's energy sector at the pace it needs Climate Act 2019.
„The real problem is that there is not enough transparency about what they are planning, and it is difficult for us to say how effective it will be,“ the coalition Public Power New York said. co-chair Michael Paulson told Canary Media.
Paulson's group campaigned for four years, along with the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, labor unions, and climate justice groups in the state, to pass the Public Renewable Energy Construction Act.Ann modified form The legislation was finally incorporated into the state's annual budget in early May of last year. Activists argue that strengthening the role of public electricity will allow for faster expansion of cleaner, cheaper electricity and create a structure that is more accountable to consumers than dominant utilities. I expected. Investor-owned utility model.
Over the past 12 months, the Authority has taken some initial steps towards collaboration with private renewable energy developers. In January 2024, NYPA request information Developers and contractors can learn about opportunities for wind, solar and battery energy storage projects. In March, the agency continued to request qualifications for evaluation and evaluation. Pre-qualify renewable energy developers To collaborate on future projects, received We received over 85 responses.
In January 2025, electricity authorities are expected to release their long-awaited strategic plan. The strategic plan outlines where and how the utility will develop renewable energy projects in ways that benefit disadvantaged communities and meet the state's climate change goals. “Our goal is to maximize the amount of renewable energy we can bring online for New Yorkers,” NYPA media relations manager Paul DeMichele said in a statement to Canary Media.
But so far, advocacy groups and lawmakers deeply involved in the bill's creation and passage have criticized how NYPA has chosen to roll out the program. At a March 26 meeting of the authority's Board of Trustees, NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll disclosed that the organization: Joined consulting firm McKinsey Support the implementation of the plan and “ensure an internal operating model and internal governance for building renewable energy in the state.” De Michel told the publication „The Gates of Hell“ “McKinsey has worked with us through an open bidding process to help us better understand where private developers have challenges while developing renewable projects.”
Sarahana Shrestha, a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly and a longtime proponent of public renewable energy legislation, told Hell Gate: This consulting company South African power company corruption scandalThere are some issues that are attracting attention.Shrestha and New York State Sen. Michael Gianaris recently submitted a bill Require more frequent public reporting and public hearings on the agency's implementation of the Public Renewable Energy Construction Act.
Meanwhile, power officials must address the challenges facing the offshore wind industry, a pillar of the state's mission to meet 70 percent of its electricity needs with clean electricity by 2030. At least for the last few months 5 offshore wind projects in new york was canceled Rising costs and supply chain issues call into question the state's ability to meet demands. decarbonization the goal. New York is currently scheduled to host the following conferences: 57% of projected demand in 2030 With renewable energy.
For Public Power New York's Paulson, the sector's struggles are another reason to reduce dependence on private developers and strengthen the public power sector. “It is becoming increasingly clear that the New York Power Authority and public authorities will need to step up and play a bigger role if we are to have any chance of achieving legally mandated climate change goals,” Paulson said. he said.