New York should expand its energy sources and new technologies to fall under the definition of zero emission sources as the state aims to transition to cleaner, more renewable forms of fuel in the coming decades , state Senate Republicans said Monday.
Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and Republican lawmakers on the House Energy Committee held public comments as part of the Public Service Commission’s moves to meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Protection Act of the community
“New York has made great strides over the past few decades in reducing its carbon footprint, but we’ve done it in a smart and responsible way,” Ortt said. “We can achieve a clean energy future, but we must do so with the needs of grid reliability and the health and safety of all New Yorkers in mind.”
The Republican comments underscore concerns that GOP lawmakers in the Legislature have raised with the push to rely on wind, solar and hydropower: The transition will be costly to New Yorkers’ utility bills and could create tensions in the supply.
“As a Conference, we have advocated for a comprehensive reliability study to ensure that the State’s electric grid can manage the mandates of the CLCPA and the recommendations made in the Climate Action Council Scoping Plan for the transition to a zero-emission electricity grid by 2040,” the lawmakers. “We’ve also advocated for an approach to using any energy source that helps the state reduce emissions.”
New York City alone is expected to have a shortfall of up to 446 megawatts of power as early as 2025, according to the New York Independent System Operator, an industry group.
The state is ready to address the use of carbon emissions in order to reduce the effects of climate change. Large offshore wind projects are underway off the coast of Long Island.
PSC President and CEO Rory Christian last week, after a legislative hearing, acknowledged the switch could present complications, including higher energy costs.
“I think this could be one of many challenges that we have to face and we will have to look at it from different perspectives,” he said. “It will require a whole-of-government solution.”
