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New York

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This summary is part of Beyond the Beltway: A Report on State Energy and Climate Policies produced by the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment at Berkeley Law

 

New York is a member of RGGI. As of 2012, New York got about 50% of its power from hydro and nuclear, 44% from natural gas, and the remaining 6% from coal, wind, and biomass.[1] By 2015, however, the state was reporting 11% of its power from renewables. In 2014, the state adopted a new energy plan, with 2030 targets including:

  • 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels,
  • 50% electricity will come from renewable energy resources, and
  • 600 trillion Btu increase in statewide energy efficiency.[2]

The state projects CO2 emission reductions of up to 7.7 million tons (equivalent to taking 1.5 million cars off the road) per year as a result of its renewable portfolio standard, energy efficiency programs, RGGI membership and other policies that constitute this plan.[3]

In May 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo also announced a plan to cut methane emissions. In June, he announced that New York was joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. He had this to say on that occasion:

“New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions. We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change, which is why I am also signing an Executive Order confirming New York’s leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet.”[4]

New York City has been a leader on climate change adaptation. In 2013, the city announced a $20 billion adaptation plan, which includes both infrastructure such as dune and seawalls to protect against the sea as well as funding to help property owners adapt to higher risks.[5] Guidelines adopted in 2017 require greater elevation: For sea level rise, the guidelines advise adding 16 inches to what current code requires for structures expected to be in use beyond 2040, and three feet for those expected to last the century.[6] The guidelines also point to an interactive map created by the city that projects flood hazards into the future and overlays them on city streets.

While its geography and renewable resources differ greatly from those of California, similarly favorable politics and potentially high exposure to climate change risks have led New York to a position of policy leadership on the East Coast.

 

  1. Institute for Energy Research, “New York: An Energy and Economic Analysis” (July 19, 2013), http://instituteforenergyresearch.org/analysis/new-york-an-energy-and-economic-analysis/.
  2. New York State, “2015 New York State Energy Plan Overview,” https://energyplan.ny.gov/Plans/2015.
  3. New York State, “2015 New York State Energy Plan Volume 1,” https://energyplan.ny.gov/Plans/2015.
  4. “Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Signs Executive Order and Commits New York to Uphold the Standards Set Forth in the Paris Accord,” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (June 1, 2017), https://www.governor.ny.gov/news /governor-andrew-m-cuomo-signs-executive-order-and-commits-new-york-uphold-standards-set-forth.
  5. Hilary Russ, “New York Lays Out $20 Billion Plan to Adapt to Climate Change,” Reuters (June 11, 2013), http://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-newyork-plan/new-york-lays-out-20-billion-plan-to-adapt-to-climate-change-idUSBRE95A10120130611.
  6. Nicholas Kusnetz, “NYC Creates Climate Change Roadmap for Builders: Plan for Rising Seas,” Inside Climate News (May 3, 2017), https://insideclimatenews.org/news/02052017/nyc-publishes-building-design-guidelines-adapting-climate-change.