The push for clean energy is picking up steam in New York. The Hochul administration is advancing major renewable energy projects, including offshore wind developments, solar farms, Energy & Environment Power and transmission lines. The state budget boosted funding for climate change mitigation, mandated electric school buses and advanced a $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air,
In New York City, legislation enacted in December will ban fossil fuel use in new buildings, which follows an earlier measure requiring large property owners to reduce carbon emissions. In January, New York City Mayor Eric Adams pledged to invest in resiliency projects, complete a comprehensive environmental justice study and install solar panels on public buildings across the city.
Yet, even among those committed to combating climate change, there’s heated debate about the best path forward. Adams has raised concerns about the cost of upgrades for building owners tasked with decarbonizing their properties. The power industry claims natural gas remains an integral part of the state’s energy portfolio – especially following the closure of the Indian Point nuclear plant – though the state last year rejected natural gas repowerings as inconsistent with its ambitious climate goals. And although many business and labor leaders support the green energy push, both groups complain that the transition is killing jobs.
City & State’s Energy & Environment Power 100, which was written in partnership with journalist Aaron Short and with assistance from City & State intern Shantel Destra, highlights the key players in New York who are reshaping the energy industry and rescuing our environment
As New York’s top utility regulator, Rory M. Christian has his hand in everything from developing offshore wind to facilitating the installation of electric vehicle ports to tackling rising energy costs. In January, he scaled back National Grid’s proposed rate hikes. In February, he instructed Con Edison to take steps to prevent price swings. Also, in March, he launched an audit of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.’s billing process. Christian, who has worked in government as the New York City Housing Authority’s director of energy finance and sustainability, was named chair and CEO of the state Public Service Commission in October, just months after joining the commission as a commissioner in June.
Last year, Basil Seggos’ state Department of Environmental Conservation blocked two proposed natural gas repowering projects, a move applauded by environmentalists. This year, however, some advocates are grumbling that the DEC hasn’t blocked an energy-intensive bitcoin operation that Seggos had tweeted “has not shown compliance with NY’s climate law.” Yet, the former Riverkeeper investigator and U.S. Army Reserve captain has made headway on other fronts, whether it’s cracking down on polluters, designating land for conservation, setting stricter truck emissions standards or issuing criteria for environmentally disadvantaged communities. He also made several leadership appointments in January, including promoting Sean Mahar to be executive deputy commissioner and hiring Dereth Glance as deputy commissioner for environmental remediation and materials management. He also appointed Adriana Espinoza as the first deputy commissioner for equity and justice.
Much of the work to ensure New York reaches its climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions falls on Doreen Harris’s shoulders. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority head has been targeting carbon emissions from buildings and vehicles while introducing offshore wind and clean energy pipelines to the state’s energy grid. Harris is also ensuring low-income ratepayers can utilize new programs to lower bills, while also adding job training programs and energy efficient investments, like rooftop solar projects, to their communities
Source: This news is originally published by cityandstateny.