Three Questions for New York’s Climate and Energy Leaders

The hearing on energy, climate, and the environment is taking place on Wednesday. In recent years, the hearing has stretched 12 hours or more, serving as a wide-ranging forum on the state’s ambitious climate policies. It could be especially lively this year as officials are asked to account for a sharp turn in energy policy: the governor’s sidelining of the state’s climate plan in favor of an “all of the above” strategy.

In the past year, Hochul has championed nuclear power, approved a thrice-rejected gas pipeline, and delayed a ban on gas in new homes, arguing that a diverse and abundant energy supply is the only way to keep New Yorkers’ utility bills from spiraling out of control. On Wednesday, the heads of several agencies, including the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Public Service Commission, and the energy authorities NYSERDA and NYPA, will likely have to explain this shift.

Here are three questions we’d ask state and climate officials on Wednesday.

How does New York’s “all of the above” energy strategy square with its climate law?

New York’s flagship climate law, passed in 2019, requires the state to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and target a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. That means a rapid shift away from fossil fuels in all parts of the economy — especially buildings and transportation — and a massive buildout of renewable energy. But Hochul says that the pandemic and a hostile federal government have put those targets out of reach, and that she needs to “govern in reality.” The state energy plan published in December includes a continued reliance on gas. 

Climate groups have called the plan a direct violation of the climate law. That was after a judge found the state was breaking another part of the law by failing to issue rules to ratchet down emissions. Hochul has appealed the decision but so far has not made any moves to amend the climate law itself, as she said she might. That means the 2019 law still stands as passed. How does the administration reconcile it with Hochul’s new energy agenda?

How will you ensure that Hochul’s nuclear plans won’t drive up New Yorkers’ bills?

Hochul has made energy affordability a priority, while also laying out an ambitious plan to expand New York’s fleet of nuclear power plants. The last nuclear plant built in the United States, in Georgia, is by some estimates the most expensive power plant ever built. How can New York do more for less? And will residents foot the bill if something goes wrong?

How does New York plan to make data centers “pay their fair share”?

In her State of the State address earlier this month, the governor put the AI industry on notice. “Data centers are vital for an innovative future. But they guzzle up tremendous amounts of energy and leave ratepayers footing the bill,” she said. “So if they want to build in New York, they’ll have to pay their fair share for the power they use and ultimately generate their own power independently.”

The line drew praise from environmentalists who have grown unused to cheering on the governor. Two weeks on, Hochul has yet to reveal any details. She didn’t include the data center proposal in her draft budget last week, which is her major opportunity to introduce legislation for the year. Instead, her office told New York Focus that the policy would be spearheaded by the energy regulators under the Public Service Commission.