New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued a report warning that the state needs to take multiple steps to increase renewable electricity generation to achieve the objectives of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
DiNapoli”™s report determined the state”™s renewable generators would need to produce an additional 78,073-gigawatt hours above 2022 levels, an increase of over 200%, to reach the CLCPA”™s 2030 goal of 70% renewable electricity consumption. The analysis is based on projections from the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which also projected that the state would need to add 20 gigawatts of installed renewable capacity by 2030, which is triple the 2022 capacity of approximately 6.5 gigawatts.
During the last 20 years, New York added 12.9 gigawatts of total electric generation, including both fossil fuel and renewable sources. DiNapoli”™s report noted that earlier efforts to increase the state”™s renewable energy output were limited by inconsistent funding, canceled projects and delays. As of 2022, approximately 29% of the electricity generated in the state came from renewable sources, with roughly 75% came from hydroelectric generation and the remaining 25% primarily split between wind and solar.
“New York State has rightly pursued an aggressive campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the most dangerous impacts of climate change,” DiNapoli said. “New York”™s energy goals are attainable, but require careful attention and management to address challenges, meet ambitious deadlines and avoid future pitfalls.”
