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New York has benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act's Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program which supports transportation projects, and planning to protect against climate impacts. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

NY, PA towns benefit from Inflation Reduction Act grants

New York towns are reaping many benefits since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed. Along with funds for larger clean energy projects, the state …

The New York HEAT Act could cut utility bills nearly in half for 1 in 4 energy-burdened New Yorkers. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates want NY HEAT Act in the final budget

The New York HEAT Act might not make the final budget. The bill reduces the state's reliance on natural gas and cuts ratepayer costs by eliminating …

New York aims to create 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035. By contrast, New Jersey is looking to create 11,000 megawatts by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

Offshore wind does more than aid NY, NJ clean energy futures

Despite different outcomes - New York's first offshore wind farm came online and New Jersey had one canceled - both states are benefiting from offshor…

In 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichenger revoked the 1953 easement allowing Enbridge's Line 5 to operate. (Earthjustice)

Indigenous leaders come to NY to speak about pipeline impacts

Indigenous community leaders will be in New York addressing the United Nations. They'll be speaking at the UN's Permanent Forum on Indigenous …

In the last 40 years, New York has endured at least 85 'billion-dollar disasters'. The most costly was Superstorm Sandy, with around $43 billion in damage. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY bill can help climate-burdened communities

A new report shows the costs different regions of New York face from climate change. It says taxpayers were on the hook for more than $2 billion - …

A 2022 report finds failing to speed up transmission beyond the current pace will increase 2030 U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions by 800 million tons per year. (Adobe Stock)

NYS bill could speed up electric transmission installation

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Along with making the operation of Long Island's power grid more efficient, a bill before the Legislature would enshrine the protection of wages, benefits and collective-bargaining agreements for around 1,500 Local 1049 union members. (Adobe Stock)

NYS bill makes Long Island power grid publicly controlled

New York's state lawmakers are considering a measure that would shake up the way Long Island's power grid operates. The Long Island Power Authority …

Some 200 miles of the Hudson River are considered a Superfund site due to the high amount of contamination, but only 40 miles of the Upper Hudson are General Electric's responsibility. (Adobe Stock)

NY lawmakers demand EPA dredge Hudson River again

New York lawmakers are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to keep dredging the Hudson River. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sent a …

Climate change infrastructure costs in New York could reach $10 billion annually by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill would make polluters pay for climate damage

A New York bill would make polluters pay for climate change damage the state endured. The Climate Change Superfund Act requires companies who've …

Rewiring America's Pace of Progress report found the U.S. was on track with sales of energy-efficient systems in the early 2020s but has since slowed progress, jeopardizing its ability to reach a national 2050 decarbonization goal. (Adobe Stock)

Online tool tracks NY communities’ renewable energy progress

A new online tool is tracking New York's progress in decarbonization. The Local Pace of Progress tool examines city, county, and state data to …

The New York HEAT Act would eliminate a rule requiring utilities to connect new customers to a gas line for free based on how close their property is to an existing gas line. From 2017 to 2021, utilities shifted about $1 billion of costs onto about 170,000 new ratepayers. (Adobe Stock)

NY environmentalists push to pass HEAT Act in state budget

The New York HEAT Act is again making its way through the state Legislature. The bill aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances and gives the …

One element of dual-use solar is solar grazing, which means using livestock to tend land solar panels are on. This has proved beneficial, but a 2021 Cornell University study finds most New York farms have fewer than 25 sheep for solar grazing. (Adobe Stock)

Dual-use solar makes best use of renewable energy, farmland

New York is looking at different ways to make use of where to place solar panels. The practice of dual-use solar uses solar panels in a variety of …

Backers of offshore wind tout good jobs, fossil fuel independence

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wants the state's Board of Public Utilities to initiate more bids for offshore wind projects in the New Year. The move …

New York State's climate goals would have the state using 70% renewable energy by 2030, and use zero-emission electricity by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

Report: New York won’t meet its 2030 climate goals

Just as New York State prepares for its first offshore wind farm to come online, a new report predicted the state will not meet its climate goals…

Extremes of hot and cold weather have taken their toll on a concrete barrier along Binghamton's Riverwalk. Concrete crumbles between the stones of the wall in upstate New York. (Chet Wiker/Adobe Stock)

Will big oil companies cover climate change costs in NY?

Some state and local lawmakers are on a long list calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to require big oil companies to help offset the costs of …

Recent investments in renewable energy projects will generate around 6.5 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 2 million New York homes. (Adobe Stock)

NY elected official veterans praise IRA clean energy investments

New York elected officials who are veterans are rallying around the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy investments. The massive federal spending …

New York's Legislature passed bills to ensure people in both the Energy Affordability and HEAP programs can have their information used to see if who needs a low-income benefit. Another bill required service companies to get customers content before any material prices increase. (Adobe Stock)

National Grid proposes rate increase for downstate NY

National Grid is proposing rate hikes for three New York City boroughs and Long Island. In Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, the utility company …

A 2023 U.S. Department of Energy report finds that in 2022, the energy workforce added around 300,000 jobs to the energy-efficiency workforce, an almost 4% increase from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

State of NY makes massive investment in renewable-energy projects

New York has made a massive investment in renewable energy. The state is committing $300 million to create the nation's first offshore wind blade and …

Ocean Wind was going to produce 1,100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 500,000 homes in New Jersey. (Adobe Stock)

Highly anticipated NJ offshore wind project canceled

Just as New York is making a huge investment in offshore wind, New Jersey's largest offshore wind farm project has been canceled. Project owner …

New York State has invested more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects throughout New York State. (Adobe Stock)

NY groups demand Gov. Hochul stop utility rate hike

AARP New York is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject a proposed utility rate hike. New York State Electric and Gas, and Rochester Gas and …

Solar development has grown throughout New York City over the last decade. By summer 2022, 350 megawatts were installed, enough to power 90,000 households in New York City. (Adobe Stock)

New law expands NYC solar property-tax abatement

A recently signed law expands New York City's solar property tax abatement. This four year tax abatement allows for the construction of solar …

A 2019 law in New York City requires new buildings, new roofs from building enlargement and replacement of an existing building's roof requires installation of a

Proposed bill puts solar on NYC public building roofs

A proposed bill aims to have solar panels placed on the roofs of all public buildings in New York City. The bill's goal is 100 megawatts of solar on …

A $27 billion fund managed by the Environmental Protection Agency is designed to help states and local communities construct sustainable green projects to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Elected officials seek to fight climate change in underserved NY communities

Elected officials in New York and across the country are urging state and local governments to use new funding available through the Environmental Pro…

Earlier this year, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators submitted a letter to President Joe Biden supporting the need for an international climate peace clause. (Adobe Stock)

NY Environmental Groups Seek Climate Peace Clause

New York environmental organizations are looking for a truce in the international trade wars. They're backing what they call a "climate peace …

More than $29 billion in public and private investment has led to around 100 solar, wind and hydroelectric projects being built across New York State. (New Yorkers for Clean Power)

Conservation Groups Collaborate for NYS State Fair Booth

Amid the chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick, the 4-H pavilion and the carnival rides, you'll find the Clean Energy Corner at this year's New …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported the methane gas emitted in 2021 was the second-highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the nation, behind carbon dioxide. (Adobe Stock)

NY Senate Passes HEAT Act, Assembly Poised to Take Up Bill

The New York State Senate has passed the HEAT Act, which now goes to the Assembly. The legislation aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances…

A 2019 report from the New York State Comptroller's Office found almost 85% of green jobs were in increased demand. A 2022 report found there are 35,700 workers in New Jersey's green economy. (Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ Offshore Wind Farms Grow Job Opportunities

Offshore wind in New York and New Jersey is becoming a large contributor to job growth. New York's offshore wind investments are slated to create …

In New York, the Inflation Reduction Act has helped grow manufacturing and jobs for numerous forms of clean energy. But the White House predicts a default would raise interest rates and lead to higher prices for these projects. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Debt Default Would Impact NY Clean-Energy Investments

The looming U.S. debt default could affect a host of programs across the country - and in New York, the list includes clean-energy investments…

A federal appeals court in April tossed out a ban by the City of Berkeley, California, on gas hookups in new buildings. It followed a lawsuit paid for by one of the nation's largest gas utilities. (Adobe Stock)

NY Bans Use of Natural Gas, Fossil Fuels in New Buildings

The state of New York has passed a first-in-the-nation law banning the use of natural gas and other fossil fuel-powered systems in new buildings…

In 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $500 million investment in offshore wind to provide cleaner energy, part of a goal to have 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind developed by 2035. (Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ Elected Officials Celebrate Offshore Wind During Earth Month

Throughout Earth Month, elected officials across the U.S. are celebrating renewable energy projects. In New York, several wind, solar and …

Along with a goal to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030, New York State is also aiming to have 100% zero emission electricity by 2040, a 40% reduction in statewide greenhouse-gas emissions from 1990 by 2030 which will be upped to 85% in 2040, and net-zero emissions by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

NY Renewable-Energy Projects Coming to Fruition

During Earth Week, several projects in New York to boost energy efficiency have been completed. These projects, which consist of wind, solar and …

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, transportation contributes 27% of greenhouse-gas emissions across the nation. (e.v Energy)

New NY Program Provides Incentives for EV Charging

Orange and Rockland counties in New York are instituting a cash-incentive program for electric-vehicle owners. The SmartCharge New York program …

As of late 2022, there were more than 40,083 megawatts of offshore wind projects in various stages of development. (Ian Dyball/Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ Offshore Wind Farms Hit by Misinformation

Misinformation about the effects of offshore wind turbines on marine life could derail offshore wind farm projects in New York and New Jersey…

According to the World Economic Forum, green buildings can reduce a city's temperatures up to 2 degrees Celsius. (Adobe Stock)

NY Ranks 3rd on National Green Building List

New York ranked third on a list of the top 10 states for green buildings in the U.S. The report from the U.S. Green Building Council found 142 …

According to a report, New York has the potential to generate 295.2 terawatt hours of electricity from offshore wind. A terawatt is a unit of power equivalent to one trillion watts. (Adobe Stock)">

NY Offshore-Wind Experts Look Ahead to 2023

New York has seen growth in offshore wind investments, which advocates hope will continue into the new year. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $…

The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act is the first environmental bond on the New York state ballot since a $1.75 billion bond act was approved by voters in 1996. (Adobe Stock)

NY Voters Approve New Environmental Bond Act

New York voters approved the state borrowing $4.2 billion for robust climate-friendly projects. The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs …

Part of New York State's climate law says 35% of total statewide spending on clean energy and efficiency programs must go to disadvantaged communities. (Adobe Stock)

NY Prepares Disadvantaged Communities for Climate Change Effects

New York State has been working to ensure disadvantaged communities aren't so vulnerable to the effects of climate change. However, as storms grow in …

As many states work to achieve their own climate goals, the United States is working toward its goal of having 30 gigawatts of electricity generated from offshore wind by 2030, enough to power 10 million homes. (Fokke Baarssen/Adobe Stock)

Offshore Wind Backers: Long-Term Benefits Outweigh Costs

As part of New York state's climate goals, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the third competitive solicitation of offshore wind projects, with the …

New York State has several new laws the governor says will accelerate progress on achieving a net-zero-emission electrical grid by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Swift to Tackle Climate Goals

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has commissioned the Empire State Line, a $180 million power transmission line to increase transmission capacity and …

In a blow to the nation's efforts to curb climate change, the U.S. Supreme Court has reduced the Environmental Protection Agency's power in regulating emissions from existing power plants. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Ruling a Step Back for Fighting Climate Change

In a 6-3 decision Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, diminishing the agency's ability to …

One of Mayor Eric Adams' citywide amendments - Zoning for Zero Carbon - would facilitate building retrofits, including allowing more rooftop coverage for solar panels. (New York City Office of the Mayor)

'City of Yes': NYC Mayor Unveils Zoning Amendments for Economic Recovery

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled a plan to use the city's zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing and promote …

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, New York has one of the most energy-efficient economies in the nation, falling only behind Rhode Island and California. (Adobe Stock)

Clean Energy Advocate: NY Bills Grant Utilities too Much Authority

New York state lawmakers are weighing two bills which would grant utilities more vertical market power, a move proponents argued will help the state …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget includes funds for the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes as part of the state's plan to electrify 1 million homes and make another 1 million electrification-ready by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Elected Officials Call on NY to Pass All-Electric Building Act

New York elected officials are calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation to transition new buildings off fossil fuels, saying it would make …

In the last five years, more than 36,000 households have benefited from New York's low-income cooling program. (Viacheslav Lakobchuk/Adobe Stock)

NY Advocates: Bill Would Level Playing Field for Utility Customers

Groups advocating for older New Yorkers say a bill passed by the New York State Senate would help level the playing field for utility customers…

Buildings account for one-third of New York's greenhouse-gas emissions. (Adobe Stock)

NY a Climate Leader through New State Budget

Gov. Kathy Hochul's $220 billion budget was signed into law this week, and clean-energy advocates say it includes a strong commitment to addressing …

Coalition: Building Electrification Policies Key in NY Budget

The New York Legislature will approve Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget by April 1. Environmental advocates are pushing for the fiscal plan to include …

The report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that an estimated 3% to 14% of all land species may face a high risk of extinction at 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming. (Adobe Stock)

Report: BBB Would Put U.S. Carbon Emissions-Reduction Goals Within Reach

Ahead of tonight's State of the Union address and on the heels of a new United Nations' climate change report, a new analysis found clean-energy …

Emissions from all buses, cars, and trucks make up 30% of New York City's carbon footprint. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Rally Support for NY Plan to Electrify School Buses

In her 2022 State of the State address, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul set new goals for electrifying the school bus fleets in the state. Clean-energy …

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