Balancing Ambition with Reality: Why New York Must Reassess Its Renewable Energy Program Timeline
New York’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (“Climate Act”) set aspirational requirements: 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emissions grid by 2040. These very specific timelines reflected a desire for a more “sustainable” future. But ambition alone cannot power a state. As two members of New York’s Climate Action Council, we recently urged the Public Service Commission (PSC) to hold a hearing to reassess the feasibility of these deadlines — not to slow progress, but to safeguard reliability.
Our concern is rooted in data, not ideology. The PSC’s own Biennial Review Order acknowledges significant headwinds: inflation, transmission bottlenecks, shifting federal policies, and siting and interconnection delays. These challenges are not impeding climate initiatives, they are limiting New York’s ability to respond to market demand for economic growth, namely in the AI, Data Center, Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing space. The Review concludes that a delay in reaching the 70% target may be unavoidable, that the “modeling” shows achievement by 2033, and that if renewable buildout is limited by external factors the 70% may not be met until “much later” in the next decade.
The recently issued Draft New York State Energy Plan echoes this sentiment, suggesting the state’s timeline may be overly optimistic. The recent PSC order that resulted in the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) ceasing consideration of a key offshore wind transmission project underscores the fragility of our current approach. These setbacks are not isolated; there have been many, and they are symptomatic of a system straining under the weight of its own ambition.
Energy reliability is not a luxury — it is a necessity. The NYISO warns of declining reliability margins as fossil fuel generation plants retire and renewable replacements lag. Their Power Trends Report highlights the risks of relying on technologies that are not yet available on a commercial scale. NYISO recommends exploring all options, including repowering older fossil plants with newer, more efficient equipment.
The Draft Energy Plan also emphasizes the continued importance of the natural gas system as part of a diverse energy mix. This is not a retreat from renewables — it is a recognition that reliability and resilience requires flexibility, a need for a diverse set of resources along with an electric planning process recognizing the limitations of being market responsive for economic opportunity.
Our request for a hearing is not a challenge to the Climate Act’s vision. It is a call for pragmatism. The PSC has the authority — and the responsibility — to ensure reliable and affordable energy systems for consumers that do not detract from the state’s
economic development opportunities. Now is the time for comprehensive evaluation of current timelines.
New York has the opportunity to lead the nation with an energy policy that strikes a thoughtful balance between environmental stewardship and economic vitality. A successful energy strategy must prioritize both — failing to do so risks undermining the progress and prosperity of each.
Donna L. DeCarolis
Dennis W. Elsenbeck
Climate Action Council Members
