Promoting Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Locally: The Whys and Hows

 

On August 1, 2015, the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC), adopted its Clean Energy Standard (CES) order, directing that 50% of the state’s electricity come from renewable energy sources by the year 2030. Is there anything else that the Atlantic Chapter can do to promote the development of renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gases in our state? The answer is: “YES. PLENTY.”

 

• While NYS is to be commended for setting one of the most ambitious goals for renewable energy development in the United States, the PSC has not yet scheduled its targets for renewable energy usage for the first interim period of 2017 to 2020. The Chapter continues to urge that ambitious targets be set for renewable energy production in the early stages of the CES to insure that the final goal of 50% is met or exceeded. Action on the local level can do much to prompt New York officials to set high goals.

 

• A regressive feature of the CES was the concept that large subsidies should be paid to the nuclear industry to insure that greenhouse gas emissions do not increase. The concern is that the immediate closure of all nuclear facilities in the state would permit the expansion of the coal and fracked gas infrastructure throughout the state. However, the sooner renewables are installed, the quicker the need for nuclear subsidies will cease.

 

• In a similar manner, the sooner that renewables are installed, the sooner we can end our dependence on fossil fuels. The election of Donald Trump will minimally stimulate the ongoing efforts of the fossil fuel industry to maintain control of the energy system in the United States. Climate change deniers and proponents of the fossil fuel pipelines, such as Dakota Access pipeline and the numerous gas and oil pipelines proposed by the fracking industries in New York, have been emboldened by the election results.

 

• To date, New York, California and Massachusetts have set the most advanced targets for promoting renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. These three states comprise 20% of the population of the United States, and their combined gross domestic product would make them the 4th largest industrial nation on Earth. We must act to insure that our New York energy and climate goals are met, to make sure these three states stand out as beacons of what an efficient, sustainable, renewable energy economy can do.

 

What are some of the things our Chapter members can do to promote renewables? An important issue is to encourage our local towns, cities and municipalities to adopt goals of their own for the use of renewable energy and reduction of greenhouse gases. Local initiatives can be immeasurably effective in strengthening NewYork’s energy policy. The town of East Hampton, New York, is a fine example of the effect local action can have on the state authorities to support renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction. East Hampton, with population of approximately 21,500, is located on a peninsula projecting into the Atlantic Ocean off the south shore of Long Island, which leaves it vulnerable to sea level rise and storms.

 

New York’s Executive Order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors 80% by 2050, was part of the Town’s impetus to adopt a Comprehensive Energy Vision in 2013. The Town’s Sustainability Committee recommendations were unanimously adopted by the Town Board in 2014, which set goals of 100% renewable energy for electricity by 2020 and for heating and transportation by 2030. In October 2015 the Town released its Climate Action Plan, identifying a number means for reaching its goals including the development by an outside consultant for a plan which would specify energy efficiency and renewable energy policy options. The Plan also called for the rebates and tax abatements for energy efficiency and solar and for fast-tracking solar and wind power permits on commercial properties. To ensure it captured economic opportunities, East Hampton took advantage of the Long Island Power Authority’s (LIPA’s) feed-in-tariff and worked to have several large-scale solar farms planned on town-owned land. In addition, East Hampton identified some 10 municipal properties for solar production, and also made it easier for residents to get permits for solar installations. As Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell stated: “Making the switch to clean energy is just the right thing to do, both for the environment and for keeping more money in the local economy and creating jobs here.”

 

The foresight of East Hampton government officials and residents played a large part in the promotion of renewables, including offshore wind development by LIPA, PSEG Long Island and State officials. 

 

More information on the Ready for 100 program, to aid your city or town to set renewable energy goals can be found at the Chapter website. Other information from NYS on Climate Smart Communities can also be found on the site.