A draft assessment suggests that New York could fail to reach its 2030 target of 70% renewable energy

Albany, New York – The feasibility of restricting the use of fossil fuels to no more than 30% of total energy consumption by 2030 is called into question by a draft study on the state of renewable energy in New York. Furthermore, the June 1 study from the Department of Public Service (DPS) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) states that prolonging that date may be “unavoidable.” The paper can be found at the bottom of this article.

With the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, targets for renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2030 were established. The most important of these is ensuring that by 2030, 70% of the state’s electricity comes from nuclear, solar, hydroelectric, and other sources. The NYSERDA report examined policy ideas, evaluated the amount of work left to accomplish those goals, and listed the number of renewable projects that have been constructed over the course of at least ten years.

The report made recommendations for infrastructure improvements, workforce development, and legislative reform, but it also made notice of the possibility that the 70% target was too aggressive and would cause the 2030 deadline to be missed. The statement read, “Base case analysis indicates the 70% goal may be achievable in 2033.”

“This long overdue concession should give policymakers ample reason to press pause and reassess the ambitious timeline and goals of the CLCPA,” said Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United. “This report presents a critical opportunity to ask important questions, like why targets will be missed?”

The research lists a number of challenges that the renewables sector must overcome. For instance, it highlights issues with China’s supply chain and solar technology. In contrast, there will probably be fierce rivalry in the wind power sector, inadequate training, and a possible strong employment market outside state lines.

“The apparent divergence between the pace of renewable resource development and the State’s decarbonization goals suggests that new approaches should be tested,” the report added. In addition to requiring 70% renewable electricity by 2030, New York law also requires 100% carbon-free electricity from nuclear and renewables by 2040.

“We have a long way to go to reach zero emissions. As with any massive societal shifts, it’s important to reflect on what is working and what can be improved,” said a spokesperson from the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY). “State permitting remains the main roadblock to renewable energy projects getting built in a timely efficient manner.”

Significant resources have already been committed by New York to lowering emissions from the energy industry. The NYSERDA study also looks at nuclear, solar, wind, and hydroelectric power as fuel sources. Legislators that supported alternative energy sources included State Senator Mario Mattera, a ranking member of the standing committee on energy and telecommunications. According to him, the state ought to investigate the viability of technologies such as sewage heat recovery, geothermal, green hydrogen, and carbon capture.

“If we continue business as usual, we will not meet our legally binding climate goals,” said Michael Paulson in response to the report. He’s the Associate Director of the Sane Energy Project and Co-chair of Public Power NY, a grassroots climate advocacy group that backed the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA). “Relying solely on the private market has failed us.”

According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration:

• In 2022, renewable and nuclear power supplied 51% of New York’s in-state electricity generation
• Nuclear powered 21% of New York in 2022, down from 34% in 2019 after shutting down Indian Point in 2021
• Hydroelectric powered 11% of New York in 2022