Clean Energy Policy
Committed to Ambitious Climate Goals, NY Unveils New Nuclear Push
Photo: Mike Groll/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul
Facing concerns that New York state can't still meet the nation-leading energy goals set in its 2019 climate law—including 70% renewable power by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040—Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) acknowledged the challenges of the ambitious targets but did not state any planned changes in addressing a state-sponsored energy conference in Syracuse, N.Y. on Sept. 5.
Keynoting the Future Energy Economy Summit, Hochul touted progress on its climate change mitigation agenda, citing completion last year of the nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind project; its U.S. lead in community solar development; and a clean-energy transmission effort that finishes projects “five times faster” than the national average. she said. But much of the transmission work so far has been in upstate regions already using clean energy, with observers noting that needed upgrades to convert an aging grid in New York City and Long Island powered mostly by fossil fuel will be costly.
“New York is furiously committed to the 2019 climate goals,” Hochul said. "We can figure this out."
But with new cost and supply chain hurdles impacting timelines for projects and for keeping climate law milestones on track—along with New York's more recent push to attract large high-tech manufacturing plants—observers predict a likely power shortfall by 2032, particularly upstate.
“I am doing everything I humanly can to launch the economies of the future; it’s happening right now,” Hochul said. “They all must be powered with sources and our capacity, my friends, is not there right now.”
With new federal and state incentives, semiconductor producer Micron Technology is investing $100 billion to site new facilities in upstate Onondaga County, which officials said could create 50,000 new jobs.
Amber Bieg, Micron senior program manager for global sustainability, pointed to New York’s clean energy goals and potential to have needed “uninterrupted power” for what would be 24/7 operations. “We support any clean energy to achieve our energy goals, even nuclear,” she said.
Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask ENR →
Battery storage expansion also is foreseen. "It's the next billion-dollar industry," said Bill Acker, executive director of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium. "We are on the right track to shorter term storage but not there yet on long duration technology. New York can be a leader with the right investments."
With a need to expand clean energy beyond wind, solar and hydropower, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority unveiled a draft "blueprint” for advanced nuclear power development—just a few years after the state closed its last full-scale nuclear plant, the controversial Indian Point facility north of New York City.
More compact advanced reactors “could offer attractive possibilities for New York, with scalability, economic development, low land use and potential applications of process heat … that can complement New York’s buildout of renewables,” says the draft. But it also cites hurdles such as “technological readiness, costs and environmental justice, among other factors.”
Marc Nichol, executive director of new nuclear at the Nuclear Energy Institute said that “nuclear construction risks are real, even for small projects. Firms want partnerships with government.” He added that his group is developing an “early mover” risk management policy.
Responses to the draft blueprint are due to NYSERDA by Oct. 5.
