Media & Publications

IPPNY strongly opposes S.6112 (Parker) / A.7376 (Cusick). These bills would allow utilities (combination gas and electric corporations) to own "renewable reclamation projects," in contravention of long-standing State policy that prohibits utility ownership of electric generating facilities, which could expose ratepayers needlessly to higher costs. The bills send the wrong investment signal to private independent developers of renewable energy and energy storage projects at exactly the wrong time, when the State has announced its goals to dramatically increase its renewable and energy storage resources and is seeking private sector investment to meet those goals. If adopted, these bills would have the immediate impact of chilling private sector energy investment in the state because private developers cannot compete with rate-regulated utilities that charge energy consumers for all costs.

One of the most essential aspects to consider under the Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA) is the role of carbon offsets. The implementation of offsets allows for the continued use of efficient facilities that are the backbone of our reliable electric system while accounting for their emissions. Furthermore, the economy-wide approach needed to significantly cut emissions requires the flexibility for implementation that can be provided by offsets.

IPPNY supports S.2352-B (Parker) / A.2720-B (Cusick). This legislation would require the State Energy Planning Board to determine the technical and economic feasibility and electric system reliability impact of meeting a 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2030 or by 2050, along with a 100 percent greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction goal from 1990 levels by 2050, including an incremental target of at least a 50 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2030. The bills would evaluate whether and how these goals could be implemented in a way that preserves electric system reliability and protects consumers. This legislation would require the State Energy Planning Board to conduct and publish the study by September 1, 2020, and there would also be a public hearing and comment process on the study, as required under the existing Energy Planning Law.

IPPNY President and CEO Gavin Donohue made the following statement in response to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement that the City is pursuing access to large-scale Canadian hydropower:

Addressing climate change and transitioning New York to a new energy future are important issues, and we appreciate the fostering of conversations on how the Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA) can address those topics. Senator Kaminsky, holding hearings, welcoming comments on such a complex topic, and recognizing this is an energy matter just as much as an environmental matter are reasoned and appropriate steps towards a practical solution.

IPPNY supports S.2352-A (Parker) / A.2720-A (Cusick). This legislation would require the State Energy Planning Board to determine the technical and economic feasibility and electric system reliability impact of meeting a 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2030 or by 2050, along with a 100 percent greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction goal from 1990 levels by 2050, including an incremental target of at least a 50 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2030. The bills would evaluate whether and how these goals could be implemented in a way that preserves electric system reliability and protects consumers. This legislation would require the State Energy Planning Board to conduct the study by September 1, 2020, and there would also be a public hearing and comment process on the study, as required under the existing Energy Planning Law.

IPPNY strongly opposes Parts FF and GG of A.9508 / S.7508. This Budget language would significantly expand the New York Power Authority's (NYPA or Authority) authority to provide energy-related projects, programs and services and to develop, own and operate new renewable electric generating facilities in the State. This Budget language could result in higher costs for energy consumers and sends the wrong signal to the private sector whose investment is critically needed to meet the State's renewable energy, energy storage, and emission reduction goals.

S.5175-B (O'Mara) - AN ACT to amend the public lands law, in relation to the authority to grant property rights The Independent Power Producers of New York, Inc. (IPPNY) is a trade association representing companies involved in the development of electric generating facilities, the generation, sale, and marketing of electric power, and the development of natural gas facilities in the State of New York. IPPNY Member companies produce approximately 75 percent of New York's electric power by utilizing cutting-edge technologies and a diversity of fuel types at facilities within this state, such as wind, hydro, cogeneration, nuclear, coal, oil, landfill gas, natural gas, and biomass.

With the announcement earlier this year that the Indian Point Energy Center will cease operations in 2021, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) began conducting a Deactivation Assessment to determine whether the facility's retirement will result in a reliability need for the system. The Deactivation Assessment, released today, found that New York will have enough resources available when Indian Point retires, assuming planned resources come online.

S.6617-A (Avella) / A.8270-A (Englebright) - AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, the public service law, the public authorities law, the labor law and the community risk and resiliency act, in relation to establishing the New York state climate and community protection act The Independent Power Producers of New York, Inc. (IPPNY) is a trade association representing companies involved in the development of electric generating facilities, the generation, sale, and marketing of electric power, and the development of natural gas facilities in the State of New York. IPPNY represents more than 75 percent of the electric generating capacity in New York.