The New York Senate has passed its own version of the Green New Deal that aims to triple solar power. This would increase the amount of solar power in New York to 6 GW by the year 2025. The current solar power production stands at only 1.7 GW.
It also calls for 100% emissions-free electricity by 2035. Another target is to produce 9 GW of offshore wind power by 2035. Currently, the state does not produce any electricity from offshore wind.
The Green New Deal is an initiative taken by Democrats to gradually desist New York from using fossil fuels and other sources of emissions that cause global warming.
The goal for New York is to get all of its electricity from emission-free sources by the end of year 2040. This is, by far, the most ambitious and progressive clean-energy standard set by any state. Through this bill, New York has surpassed even California, which aims to generate 100% clean power by 2045.
To achieve such an ambitious target, New York will have to make an 85% reduction in economy-wide emissions from 1990 levels by 2050. It hasn’t been ascertained how New York will actually accomplish this daunting task. According to utility executives, a 100% green grid is impossible. They also highlighted that the lawmakers who passed the bill will not be at their current position by 2045.
The Republicans are worried that the bill might lead to higher energy prices and job cuts due to higher costs of manufacturing. There could be stricter pollution limits for power plants and that oil and natural gas may have to be removed from home heating systems.
Here are the other things the bill has proposed:
- Support 3 GW of energy storage capacity by 2030
- Funding for pollution reduction measures
- Energy assistance in low-income communities
Join us this week at New York Energy Week to heat directly from utilities, developers, financiers, legislators, and more about the status of and plans for New York’s energy future!
NYEW Opening Ceremony: NY REV – Leading the Nation’s Energy Future
When: June 24, 2019 at 5:30-9:00 PM
Where: Loeb & Loeb, 345 Park Ave, New York, NY
Featured Speakers:
Joseph Addabbo, NY State Senate
Alfred Griffin, President, NY Green Bank
Sarah Salati, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, NYPA
Matthew Ketschke, Senior Vice President, Con Edison
Shihab Kuran, CEO, Power Edison
Jonathan Crawford, Head of Research, EnerKnol
NYEW Breakfast Series: Getting to 100% Clean Power in New York by 2040
When: June 26, 2019 at 8:00-10:00 AM
Where: Norton Rose Fulbright, 1301 6th Ave, New York, NY
Featured Speakers:
Doug McMahon, VP Strategy, NYPA
Christine Weydig, Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ
Fred Zalcman, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Ørsted
Michael Gerrad, Professor, Columbia University
Simon Langlois-Bertrand, Assistant Professor Concordia University
Christopher Hilbert, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
