New York may miss 70% renewable energy target by 2030

ALBANY, NY (NEXSTAR) — A draft report on the state of renewable energy in New York questions the possibility of reducing fossil fuels to no more than 30% of consumption by 2030. And delaying that deadline may be “unavoidable,” according to a June 1 report by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Department of Public Service (DPS) that is at the bottom of this story.

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) was passed in 2019 and set renewable energy and zero-emissions goals by 2030. The most important is to generate 70% of the state’s electricity from wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and other sources by 2030. The NYSERDA report assessed how much work remains to achieve those goals, reviewed policy proposals and took into account the number of renewable projects that were built at least a decade ago.

While the report proposed legislative reform, infrastructure investment and workforce development, it was careful to note that the 70% target could be ambitious enough to push the 2030 deadline back. “The base case analysis suggests that the 70% target could be achievable in 2033,” it said.

“This long-awaited concession should give policymakers ample reason to pause and reassess the ambitious timeline and goals of the CLCPA,” said Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United. “This report provides a critical opportunity to ask important questions, such as why will the goals not be met?”

The report highlights several obstacles facing the renewables industry. For example, it points to issues with solar technology and the supply chain with China. Meanwhile, the wind industry is likely to face intense competition, insufficient training and a potentially robust job market outside the country’s borders.

“The apparent gap between the pace of renewable resource development and the state’s decarbonization goals suggests that new approaches need to be tested,” the report added. In addition to requiring 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, New York state law also requires 100% zero-emission electricity from nuclear and renewable sources by 2040.

“We have a long way to go to get to zero emissions. As with any major societal change, it’s important to reflect on what’s working and what can be improved,” said a spokesperson for Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY). “State permitting remains a major obstacle to timely and efficient construction of renewable energy projects.”

New York has already devoted significant resources to reducing pollution from the energy sector. And the fuel sources examined in the NYSERDA report include wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power. Still, lawmakers like state Sen. Mario Mattera, a member of the Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, have argued for other alternative energy sources. The state should explore the feasibility of technologies such as carbon capture, green hydrogen, geothermal and wastewater heat recovery, he said.

“If we continue with business as usual, we will not meet our legally binding climate goals,” said Michael Paulson in response to the report. He is deputy director of the Sane Energy Project and co-chair of Public Power NY, a grassroots climate advocacy group that supported 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 energy accounted for 51% of New York State’s electricity generation
• Nuclear power would power 21% of New York in 2022, up from 34% in 2019 following the closure of Indian Point in 2021.
• 11% of New York City to be powered by hydroelectricity by 2022

Read the NYSERDA report below: