Public Power NY says state renewable energy plan falls short

By Rob Creenan | Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls
With the New York Power Authority unveiling its newest plans for adding renewable energy infrastructure, one public interest organization says those plans are nowhere near enough to meet state mandates.
“We’re facing unprecedented climate devastation,” said Public Power NY co-chair and Sane Energy Project associate director Mike Paulson. “The state is falling further and further behind on its climate goals.”
NYPA released a strategic draft on Oct. 8 of its buildout of more renewable energy projects, available for viewing through the NYPA’s website. It comes as part of the Build Public Renewables Act, which passed in 2023 and authorized the NYPA to build out and own clean energy projects.
That draft plan includes 40 new renewable projects across the state totaling only 3.5 GW of new renewable capacity. The listed projects in Western New York include:
—A 4.96 mw solar farm in Niagara County with an estimated completion of the fourth quarter of 2027 undertaken by NYPA
—A 1 mw solar farm in Erie County, also undertaken by the NYPA and to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2027
—A 270 mw solar farm in Chautauqua County developed with ConnectGen and Repsol to be complete by the first quarter of 2027
—A 339 mw solar farm in Cattaraugus County developed with Forward Power to be complete by the first quarter of 2025.
“The draft Renewables Strategic Plan outlines the innovative framework the Power Authority has taken to fulfilling its expanded role in the development of the state’s renewable power resources,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll in a statement.
Public Power says the NYPA’s proposal is undermined by possible project attrition of 80-85% for those in early stages and 30-60% for more developed projects, with several such projects being canceled over this past year.
“NYPA has had over a year to plan for these contingencies, and should have planned to build enough capacity to account for attrition,” a Public Power statement reads. “By only proposing 3.5 gigawatts, NYPA is setting the stage to fail to meet their own inadequate targets.”
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office found this past July the Public Service Commission had used outdated data and wrong calculations in determining if the state could meet its 2030 goals, with no backup plan in place if they were not met. Project cancelations also slowed progress, with only 30% completed of 202 planned between 2005 and 2023.
The state, through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act signed in July 2019, has set the ambitious goal of having 70% of its energy by 2030 come from renewables and be zero-emission by 2040. By the state’s own estimations, through an NYSERDA report published earlier this year, New York would miss that goal, reaching 44% renewable energy generation with new NYPA projects by 2030. That report blamed global supply chain issues, interest rates, and inflation for delays and cancelations.
Paulson said the goal of the CLPA had been to get the NYPA to step up where private developers have not. Based on Public Power NY’s own research, the state is to build out 15 GW of new renewable energy capacity to meet its 2030 target.
“The CLPA goal is not optional, it’s a legal mandate,” said Paulson. “The governor has to use all her tools in power to meet that goal.”
Paulson said their ambition for 15 GW of new capacity has the support of AFL-CIO, IBEW, and building trades groups as the buildout would support between 15,000 and 20,000 green union jobs statewide, lower utility bills, and enable the state to close its remaining fossil fuel-powered plants.
“This is an idea that is extremely popular in the state,” Paulson said. “We need leaders to follow the popular will and law to meet our climate goals and to get us off of fossil fuels.”
The first of the five planned public hearing sessions statewide will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Niagara Power Vista. A virtual hearing will take place at those same times on Nov. 21.
Public comments will be accepted for at least 60 days. The NYPA Board of Trustees will approve a final strategic plan by Jan. 31.
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