New York is working to meet its aggressive Climate goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% by 2030 and by 85% by 2050 from a 1990 baseline; 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, with 70% renewable energy use by 2030. The latter is a challenge as NY State currently gets only 27% of its power from renewable sources.
To achieve these goals, New York must both manage their current energy usage and work to green the energy systems of its two major emitting sectors, buildings and transportation. This effort is being led by the NY State Energy Research & Development Agency (NYSERDA), which coordinates efforts and works with private sector firms to implement relevant projects, such as two planned pipeline projects to bring clean energy from where it is being developed, upstate NY or Canada to the area where most energy is used, the New York City area.

NYSERDA’s analysis shows that in 20 years New York’s peak energy demand will shift from the summer months (air conditioning) to the winter months, as electricity-using heat pumps are projected to replace many fossil fuel-combusting boilers. As a result, New York must increase wintertime electricity production, such as using peaker plants in the winter. New York City passed legislation, banning gas hook-ups of new buildings starting in 2026, and New York State is considering extending this as a statewide requirement. By reducing and eliminating natural gas and gasoline and replacing them (in autos and in buildings) with electrification, renewable power can supply the electricity making energy cleaner in NY State.

What is motivating New York’s move to cleaner energy? Being on the right path concerning Climate Change is certainly one factor. However, the Governor points to clean air and long-term reliability (not being dependent on oil or gas wells) as being another reason to move toward using renewable energy sources.

Something to look forward to, in terms of practices and incentives, given these policies and approaches, New York State and its utilities will offer robust incentives for projects that encourage the move away from fossil fuels toward electrification (such as heat pumps) and perhaps will emphasize less improvements in energy efficiency (such as LED lighting incentives), as any energy efficiency upgrade should pay for itself well and does not need incentives.

CCES has the experts to help you plan and succeed with an energy upgrade program (cleaner fuels, electrification, energy efficiency or a combination) that is best for your long-term operations and costs and obtain the maximum available rebates and incentives from NYSERDA and local utilities. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.