The state aims to generate 70% of its power from renewable sources by 2030. By 2030, a public utility in New York will produce only renewable energy.
The New York Power Authority, the state’s public utility, will be permitted to construct, own, and manage renewable energy projects according to the amendment.
All state-owned buildings that typically get electricity from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) must run solely on renewable energy by 2030, according to the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA). Furthermore, by 2035, all municipally owned structures, including schools and hospitals, must transition to renewable energy.
According to advocacy organisation Public Power New York, it was a “historic victory for public power,” which pushed for the legislation for four years. The organisation said in a statement:: “The BPRA will finally fulfil the promise of the Green New Deal by creating a new era of green union jobs in renewable energy production, reducing rising energy costs, and shutting down polluting fracked gas power plants in Black and brown communities.”
Profits generated by a public utility are put back into its operations, resulting in decreased energy costs.
Currently, the NYPA serves around 1000 customers, including companies, non-profits, and public buildings. According to the new law, the authority must provide cheaper utility prices for renewable energy to clients with lower incomes.
Over 80% of the electricity used by the NYPA, the nation’s biggest public utility, comes from hydropower. 15 of the state facilities with the highest emissions will be decarbonized, according to a representative for the NYPA.
A new workforce in the renewable energy industry
In a statement, the NYPA’s acting president and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said that the authority is “well positioned to develop new renewable energy generation resources in collaboration with our state partners, stakeholders, and the private sector” to help accelerate the state’s transition to a clean energy economy and provide good-paying jobs for its workforce.
For individuals who would lose their work in the non-renewable sector, the new legislation also provides for the development of union positions in the renewable industry. Additionally, employees would receive a retraining offer and a promise of pay rate protection.
The authority will now start creating a two-year strategic plan outlining potential renewable project ideas. Collaboration with stakeholders and a public hearing procedure will be part of the strategy.
By 2030, New York State wants to generate 70% of its power from renewable sources, and by 2040, it wants to have an electrical system with no emissions. six natural gas-fired plants, facilities that the state presently runs will be phased out.