The Business Council of Westchester believes the recent findings released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provide a sobering validation of BCW’s long-standing concerns regarding the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (CLCPA) timeline and costs.
The business organization stated last week that it believes that we need to prioritize initiatives that immediately reduce energy costs while making a more systematic transition to a clean energy economy.
The state’s analysis confirms that the BCW’s Clean Energy Action Coalition initiative is not just timely, but critical to the survival of Westchester County’s economy, the BCW said in a statement.
To successfully recruit and retain businesses in Westchester, we must build a power system that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable, it added.
Specifically, the BCW advocates that New York State:
- Increase education and participation in Peak Demand Reduction programs, which reduced electric demand by 1,000 MWs this past June, helping avoid blackouts and reducing the need for costly, polluting “peaker plants” that cost New York State consumers billions of dollars. In addition to keeping the lights on and reducing emissions, participating consumers also immediately save on their energy bills, as shown by the $100,000 earned by the New Rochelle school district.
- Speed the adoption of solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS), which can provide local power when and where it’s most needed. New York should recognize that, in both the immediate and long term, the least expensive electric power is from renewable energy sources. Last century’s hydroelectricity is the cheapest source of power in the state because when we build, own, and maintain a renewable energy source, nature provides “the fuel.”
- Recognize that, under any scenario, heavy duty transportation will not be electrified for decades. Rather than “letting the perfect be the enemy of the good,” New York should immediately move to renewable diesel, which can be blended into any tank and diesel engine without any infrastructure changes, as it is chemically equivalent to fossil diesel. Seventy-five percent of California’s diesel transportation is now powered by renewable diesel, reducing both particulate and carbon emissions by 80%.
According to BCW, NYSERDA’s memo makes it clear: the original design of the CLCPA threatens to impose additional costs on New York’s families and employers on top of the staggering increases being caused by our deteriorating natural gas infrastructure and volatile fossil fuel prices.
The BCW applauds Gov. Kathy Hochul for her pragmatism in recognizing the CLCPA’s current shortcomings. By adopting an all-the-above energy strategy, the governor is taking the necessary steps to align climate goals with economic reality, BCW stated.
On April 14, the BCW will hold its annual Clean Energy Action Conference, which will feature numerous energy leaders from across the region and beyond, coming together to share insights, explore innovative solutions, and discuss the future of energy. The goal of the conference will be to continue CEAC’s ongoing efforts to help Westchester County build a reliable, affordable and sustainable power system.
To register for the BCW’s Clean Energy Conference here.
