Oct. 17 – As the New York Power Authority unveils its latest plans to add renewable energy infrastructure, a public interest group says those plans are not nearly enough to meet state mandates.
“We are facing unprecedented climate devastation,” said Mike Paulson, co-chairman of Public Power NY and deputy director of the Sane Energy Project. “The state is falling further behind on its climate goals.”
On October 8, NYPA released a strategic design for the development of more sustainable energy projects, available for review via the NYPA website. It comes as part of the Build Public Renewables Act, which passed in 2023 and authorized the NYPA to build and own clean energy projects.
That draft plan includes 40 new renewable projects across the state, totaling just 3.5 GW of new renewable capacity. Projects mentioned in Western New York include:
—A 4.96 MW solar farm in Niagara County, with estimated completion in the fourth quarter of 2027, operated by NYPA
—A 1 MW solar farm in Erie County, also operated by the NYPA and completed in the fourth quarter of 2027
—A 270 MW solar farm in Chautauqua County, developed in partnership with ConnectGen and Repsol, slated for completion in the first quarter of 2027
—A 339 MW solar farm in Cattaraugus County, developed with Forward Power, is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2025.
“The draft Renewable Energy Strategic Plan outlines the innovative framework the Power Authority has taken to fulfill its expanded role in developing the state’s renewable energy resources,” Justin Driscoll, president and CEO of NYPA, said in a statement.
Public Power says the NYPA’s proposal is undermined by a potential project attrition rate of 80-85% for those in early stages and 30-60% for more developed projects, with several such projects canceled in the past year.
“NYPA has had more than a year to plan for these contingencies, and should have planned to build sufficient capacity to account for attrition,” read a statement from Public Power. “By proposing only 3.5 gigawatts, NYPA is setting the stage for not meeting their own inadequate targets.”
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office found last July that the Public Service Commission had used outdated data and incorrect calculations in determining whether the state could meet its 2030 goals, without having a backup plan in place if they were not met. Project cancellations also slowed progress, with only 30% of the 202 planned projects completed between 2005 and 2023.
The state, through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, signed in July 2019, set an ambitious goal of obtaining 70% of its energy from renewables by 2030 and achieving zero emissions by 2040. According to the state’s own estimates, via a NYSERDA report released earlier this year, New York would miss that target and reach 44% renewable energy generation by 2030 with new NYPA projects. That report blamed global supply chain issues, interest rates and inflation for delays and cancellations.
Paulson said the goal of the CLPA was to take the NYPA a step further where private developers have not. Based on Public Power NY’s own research, the state will build out 15 GW of new renewable energy capacity to meet its 2030 goal.
“The CLPA goal is not optional, it is a legal mandate,” Paulson said. “The governor must use all her powers to achieve that goal.”
Paulson said their ambition for 15 GW of new capacity has the support of AFL-CIO, IBEW and construction trade groups as the expansion would support between 15,000 and 20,000 green union jobs statewide, lower utility bills and allow the state sets are remaining fossil fuel power stations.
“This is an idea that is extremely popular in the state,” Paulson said. “We need leaders who follow the will and law of the people to achieve our climate goals and get us off fossil fuels.”
The first of five planned statewide public hearings will be held at the Niagara Power Vista on November 7 from 10am to noon and 6pm to 8pm. A virtual hearing will take place at the same times on November 21.
Public comments will be accepted for a minimum of 60 days. The NYPA Board of Trustees will approve a final strategic plan by January 31.
