Submitted by Joanna Lasher, LWV Saratoga County,
on behalf of Capitol District Four League Environment Committee.
In the last five years, progress has been made across the country and in New York State (NYS) in the deployment of renewable energy, such as solar, including rooftop installation and large-scale solar farms, as well as onshore wind and the beginnings of offshore wind. While these results are impressive, NYS has a long way to go to meet the first sub-goal of 70% renewable energy as projected in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by 2030.
There have been legitimate technical and logistical concerns, conservation issues, land use concerns, and conflicts which need to be addressed. NYSERDA (NYS Energy Research and Development Authority) is attempting to address these concerns. “Further confounding progress are fossil fuel-based organizations using inflammatory and, in many cases, erroneous information to scare residents into opposing large scale solar and offshore wind.” 1
With the first concrete goal approaching, naysayers are suggesting the State’s goals are unrealistic. They are saying things such as, “We cannot afford these goals,” “We need to go slower,” and “We can spend lots of money and not make a difference.” Others point out that we are in the midst of climate change with impacts and their costs climbing exponentially in the billions of dollars now. We need to move faster, not slower!
Climate scientists indicate that our efforts to slow down global warming now will appear to have little impact for the next 25 years because the forces are already in motion. However, climate scientists still believe we have a short window of time to ameliorate the effects. If we do not act fast to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the planet will be pretty much unlivable by the end of this century.
NYSERDA has a State Energy Plan that was published in 2015 with updates in 2020 to align with the objectives of the CLCPA. Since then, the Scoping Plan Report has been released, examining energy issues that contribute to climate change and offering recommendations that are currently being implemented by the State. NYSERDA is now beginning the process of working on a new plan and “the public will have opportunity to provide comments on the draft scope and the draft plan throughout the process.” 2 We need to monitor this process, encourage speedy solutions and support green energy bills which will speed up the process.
The State Energy Planning Board will now convene, chaired by NYSERDA. The final Plan will provide a 15-year outlook and will focus on strategies to meet future energy needs and advance decarbonization, while balancing reliability, affordability, environmental and public health impacts and economic growth. 2
Governor Hochul has signed the Superfund Act passed by both houses of the legislature. Bills for 3 billion dollars a year for 25 years will be going out to Fossil Fuel Companies who bear much of the responsibility for accelerating climate change through disinformation and lies to the public. This year, the League is advocating for the NY HEAT Act to be in the budget. The NY HEAT Act reforms Public Service Law, allowing energy utilities to provide clean energy options while protecting families from high energy costs. An easy way for you to contact your legislators about NY HEAT: Text NYHEAT to 52886 to connect to an online form.
——-
1 Pete Sheehan (Pete.sheehan@sierraclubhudsonmohawk.org), Newsletter Editor, Sierra Club, Hudson Mohawk Group, Winter 2024, Volume 57, No.1.
2 See New York State Energy Plan.
