Press Releases

IPPNY Response to Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2019
Contact: Joe Shahen, joseph.shahen@ippny.org, (518) 436-3749

Albany, NY, 6/19/19 – The New York State Senate late last night passed the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and the Assembly is poised to act today. This legislation was developed with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, requiring 70 percent of New York’s electricity to come from renewable energy systems by 2030 and the power sector to be zero-emitting by 2040. Importantly, the legislation allows some flexibility for the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to maintain electric system reliability, and it requires a yet-to-be-formed Climate Action Council to consult with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which is the entity tasked with maintaining electric system reliability.

In response, IPPNY President and CEO Gavin J. Donohue said, “The CLCPA will fundamentally change New York’s electric system, which is one of the most complex and reliable in the world. This is a monumental endeavor, and the details around its implementation will be of the utmost importance. It is essential that IPPNY, the NYISO, and the New York State Reliability Council, who together represent those entities tasked with powering the system and reliably operating it, have a seat at the table to ensure the legislation’s deadlines are met responsibly. Electric grid reliability and affordability are not to be taken lightly – they are paramount to economic development and consumers. IPPNY looks forward to being part of the process as this legislation is implemented.”

Since 1990, New York’s power sector has seen the largest decrease in greenhouse gas emissions of any sector in the State. Additionally, New York’s independent power producers are on their way to increasing renewable energy supplies - 46 projects have received competitive awards under the State’s Clean Energy Standard (CES), totaling over 3,300 megawatts (MW) of new, renewable capacity.

Since 2000, nearly 13,000 MW of generating capacity have been added to New York’s grid from all fuel types. It was estimated by the NYISO in 2016 that a mix of about 17,000 MW of new renewables would need to be developed to meet the CES goal of 50 percent renewables by 2030. With that goal now rising to 70 percent, more investment will be needed by independent power producers to add significant capacity in 11 years. The NYISO also said “significant” transmission system investments were needed to meet the State’s renewables goals.

Donohue continued, “We heard in the Senate debate last night that an all-hands-on-deck approach is needed to address the impacts of climate change. To build 17,000 MW-plus of generation and the necessary transmission, we need to start as soon as possible. Fortunately, the NYISO already has a finished plan for building renewables, reducing power sector emissions, and signaling where transmission is most needed – it’s called carbon pricing, and it needs to be adopted immediately. We cannot afford to wait for DEC to promulgate rules under the CLCPA.”

For more information, please visit our website at www.ippny.org.

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IPPNY is an Albany-based trade association representing the competitive power supply industry in New York State. IPPNY Members generate more than 60 percent of New York's electricity using a wide variety of generating technologies and fuels including hydro, nuclear, wind, coal, oil, natural gas and biomass. They have invested over $10 billion in their facilities and employ over 10,000 people. Annually, they pay over $600 million in taxes and invest more than $55 million in their communities.