Public Power NY Unveils Comprehensive Roadmap for Public Renewables in New York State

For Immediate Release
July 19, 2024

Contact: Ariella Sult, media@votesolar.org

Albany, NY – Public Power NY is proud to announce the release of “Powering Up: A Roadmap for Public Renewables in New York State.” This paper outlines a bold vision for transforming New York’s energy landscape through the development and expansion of publicly owned renewable energy resources.

This announcement comes days after State policymakers acknowledged New York will likely fall short of its goal to hit 70 percent renewables by 2030, making it more critical than ever to reach New York’s CLCPA mandates. Public Power NY Coalition released a report back in November 2023, highlighting New York’s failure to stay on track, providing this finding nearly 7 months ago. The Build Public Renewables Act aims to bring more jobs, a healthier New York, and affordable energy to low income New Yorkers. 

The roadmap details strategic initiatives and actionable steps to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future, aligning with New York State’s ambitious climate goals. Key components of the report include:

1. Comprehensive Planning and Investment: A call for significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure, including solar, wind, and hydropower projects, to ensure reliable and sustainable energy for all New Yorkers. NYPA should invest heavily in strategically sited battery storage. These public assets can alleviate grid congestion and ensure cheaper, more reliable electricity for New Yorkers.
2. Community Empowerment and Ownership: Strategies for increasing community engagement and ownership in renewable energy projects, fostering local economic development and energy independence. NYPA can build on its existing relationships with local governments to engage in community outreach. This approach will facilitate better planning, siting, and community benefits agreements, fostering greater public support for renewable energy.
3. NYPA’s Unique Authority: NYPA’s high-rated green bonds and financing capabilities make it uniquely suited to address funding challenges in renewable development. It can finance large-scale projects through bond issuance, IRA opportunities, and generation assets. As a dual developer of transmission and generation, NYPA can proactively plan integrated projects. This approach can help overcome issues often faced by private developers in the NYISO queue.
4. Policy Recommendations: NYPA must correct historical environmental injustices by shutting down its ten gas-fired peak power plants in Downstate New York by 2030. Simultaneously, it should develop adequate transmission and storage infrastructure to prevent power outages in vulnerable urban communities. We suggest structuring the REACH Program to provide at least 50% off electricity bills for low-income residents, prioritizing those with the highest energy burden.
5. Job Creation and Workforce Development: An emphasis on creating good-paying jobs and training programs in the renewable energy sector, ensuring a skilled workforce to support the growing industry. NYPA can set a new standard for labor relations in New York’s renewable energy sector. This can be achieved by implementing project labor agreements, prevailing wage agreements, and comprehensive job training programs with wraparound services for workers.

“We are at a critical juncture in our fight against climate change, and the reality is, New York is not on track to meet its climate goals,” said Lindsay, Vote Solar Regulatory Director, Northeast. “This paper serves as a comprehensive guide to harnessing the power of public renewables, and how NYPA can play a role by building a more sustainable and equitable energy future for all New Yorkers.”

“As we face increasingly deadly climate events, it is more important than ever for New York to rapidly transition off fossil fuels for good,” said Michael Paulson, Associate Director of Sane Energy Project. “This research conclusively shows that NYPA must lead our transition to meet climate goals, create green jobs, lower utility bills, and close polluting peaker plants. ”

The release of this report marks a significant milestone in Public Power NY’s ongoing efforts to advocate for public ownership and control of renewable energy resources. By providing a clear and actionable path forward, “Powering Up” aims to inspire policymakers, stakeholders, and communities to collaborate towards a greener and more resilient New York.

Public Power NY invites all interested parties to review the full report, available here, and join the conversation on how to make New York a leader in public renewables.

About Public Power NY
Public Power NY is a coalition of organizations and advocates dedicated to advancing public ownership and democratic control of New York’s energy system. Our mission is to ensure a just and equitable transition to renewable energy that benefits all New Yorkers.

About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is an energy justice non-profit working towards a 100% clean energy future by bringing solar to the mainstream. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advocates for clean energy in legislative and regulatory arenas at the state level, where most decisions about electricity are made. Despite powerful opposition, we use a winning combination of deep policy expertise, coalition building, and public engagement to get the job done.

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