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For Immediate Release: 05/12/2022 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
22045 / 22-M-0149
May 12, 2022
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PSC Announces CLCPA Tracking Initiative |
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Commission’s Renewable Energy Programs Put New York Firmly on Path to Achieve Zero-Emission Electricity Sector by 2040
Unprecedented Investments to Ramp-Up Clean Energy Includes $33 Billion in 102 Large-Scale Renewable and Transmission Projects across State
ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today initiated a critically important proceeding to track and assess the advancements made toward meeting the requirements and targets of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) mandates, and to provide policy guidance, as necessary, for additional actions needed to fulfill the objectives of the CLCPA.
“New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “CLCPA calls for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and fosters a green economy. The Commission’s decision today will provide opportunities for stakeholders to engage in aligning future Commission actions to ensure we remain on target and on track to meet New York’s mandates and do so in a manner that aligns with the Climate Action Council.”
The New York State Legislature recognized that ambitious climate and energy goals in the form of greenhouse gas emissions reductions are necessary to combat the adverse effects of climate change. In the CLCPA, the Legislature gave the Commission and Department of Public Service new directives, including the requirement to establish a renewable energy program to attain an electric grid served by at least 70 percent renewable energy resources by 2030 and a zero-emissions grid by 2040.
The CLCPA's directives also require the Commission to build upon its existing efforts to combat climate change through the deployment of clean energy resources, energy efficiency measures and advanced energy storage technologies. In recognition of the scale of change and significant work that will be necessary to meet the CLCPA's aggressive targets, the Commission initiated this proceeding which will be used as a vehicle to assess the progress made in meeting its directives under the CLCPA and to provide guidance, as appropriate, on next steps to timely meet the requirements of the CLCPA.
The Commission and Department of Public Service have already made significant progress in achieving the State’s climate and clean energy goals outlined in the CLCPA. The significant investments the Commission has authorized in partnership with NYSERDA and the utilities in energy efficiency and building electrification, including the Clean Energy Fund and New Efficiency. New York State’s initiatives are projected to achieve over two thirds of the statewide energy efficiency goal of one hundred eighty-five trillion British thermal units of customer-level energy reduction by 2025. Additionally, the PSC’s actions to date have supported the development of large-scale renewable energy resources and advanced green technologies, including solar, transmission infrastructure, energy storage, zero emissions vehicles, and onshore and offshore wind, through its Reforming the Energy Vision, NY-Sun, Clean Energy Fund, and Clean Energy Standard initiatives.
Enshrined into law through the CLCPA, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp up clean energy including over $33 billion in 102 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 22-M-0149 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
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