GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO
First of all, Nation-Leading Clean Energy and Jobs Agenda Puts New York on a Path to Carbon Neutrality
Mandates 100 Percent Clean Power by 2040. Enacts New Climate Action Council into Law to also Develop Roadmap to Make New York Carbon Neutral
Ensures a Just Transition to Clean Power. Spurring Growth of the Green Economy and Prioritizing Low- and Moderate-Income New Yorkers
Invests $1.5 Billion in 20 Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects Upstate. In addition up to $200 Million in Port Infrastructure. Moreover to Make New York the Nation’s Offshore Wind Hub
Builds as a result on Governor’s Environmental Record. For that’s Including Banning Fracking, Ending Coal Power and Unprecedented Investments. Consequently in Renewable Energy, Energy Storage and Establishing the U.S. Climate Alliance
Video of Governor Cuomo Announcing the Proposal Here
Let’s hear it for carbon neutrality!
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Green New Deal, a nation-leading clean energy and jobs agenda that will aggressively put New York State on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality, is included in the 2019 Executive Budget.
The landmark plan provides for a just transition to clean energy. It’s also one that spurs growth of the green economy. Moreover it prioritizes the needs of low- to moderate-income New Yorkers.
In addition, here is the Video of the Governor. Thereby making this announcement is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.
Climate Change is a Reality
“Climate change is a reality, and the consequences of delay are a matter of life and death. We know what we must do. Now we have to have the vision, the courage, and the competence to get it done,” Governor Cuomo said.
Forget Freaking Fracking
During Governor Cuomo’s first two terms, New York banned fracking of natural gas. Also he has committed to phasing out coal power by 2020. Further the Governor mandated 50 percent renewable power by 2030. Finally he has also established the U.S. Climate Alliance. Thereby to uphold the Paris Agreement.
Under the Reforming the Energy Vision Agenda, New York has also held the largest renewable energy procurements in U.S. history. In addition, solar has also increased as a result by moreover than 1,500 percent. Furthermore offshore wind is poised. Thereby transforming the State’s electricity supply. One to be moreover cleaner and more sustainable.
Through Governor Cuomo’s Green NewDeal, New York will take the bold next steps. Ones to secure a clean energy future. One that protects the environment for generations to come. As well as while growing the clean energy economy.
100 Percent Clean Power by 2040 Coupled with New Nation-leading Renewable Energy Mandates
The Green New Deal will statutorily mandate New York’s power be 100 percent carbon-free by 2040. Therefore this is the most aggressive goal in the United States. In addition and more noteworthy, five years ahead of a target recently adopted by California. The cornerstone of this new mandate. It is a significant increase of New York’s successful Clean Energy Standard mandate. A standard from 50 percent to 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030. This globally unprecedented ramp-up of renewable energy will include:
- Quadrupling New York’s offshore wind target to 9,000 megawatts by 2035. Target up from 2,400 megawatts by 2030
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Doubling distributed solar deployment to 6,000 megawatts by 2025. Solar up from 3,000 megawatts by 2023
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More than doubling new large-scale land-based wind and solar resources through the Clean Energy Standard
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Maximizing the contributions and potential of New York’s existing renewable resources
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Deploying 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030, up from 1,500 megawatts by 2025
Develop an Implementation Plan to Make New York Carbon Neutral
The Green New Deal will create the State’s first statutory Climate Action Council. It’s comprised of the heads of relevant State agencies and other workforce, environmental justice. Plus clean energy experts to develop a comprehensive plan.
One to make New York carbon neutral by significantly and cost-effectively reducing emissions. I mean emissions from all major sources. Therefore including electricity, transportation, buildings, industry, commercial activity, and agriculture.
The Climate Action Council will consider a range of possible options. That’s including the feasibility of working with the U.S. Climate Alliance. All to create a new multistate emissions reduction program that also covers all sectors of the economy.
Thereby including transportation and industry. Moreover and exploring ways to leverage the successful Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. All to drive transformational investment in the clean energy economy and support a just transition.
The Green New Deal will also include an ambitious strategy to move New York’s statewide building stock to carbon neutrality. The agenda includes:
a) Advancing legislative changes to strengthen building energy codes and establish appliance efficiency standards
b) Directing State agencies to ensure that their facilities uphold the strongest energy efficiency and sustainability standards
c) Developing a Net Zero Roadmap to chart a course to statewide carbon neutrality in buildings
A Multi-billion Dollar Green New Deal Investment in the Clean Tech Economy that will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Demonstrating New York’s immediate commitment to implementing the nation’s most ambitious clean energy agenda and creating high-quality clean energy jobs, Governor Cuomo is announcing $1.5 billion in competitive awards to support 20 large-scale solar, wind and energy storage projects across upstate New York.
For it’s these investments will add over 1,650 megawatts of capacity and generate over 3,800,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually. That’s enough to power nearly 550,000 homes and create over 2,600 short and long-term jobs.
Combined with the renewable energy projects previously announced. For the Clean Energy Standard is big. Because New York has now awarded more than $2.9 billion to 46 projects statewide, enough to power over one million households.
Offshore Wind
The Green New Deal also includes new investments to jumpstart New York’s offshore wind energy industry. Moreover and support the State’s world-leading target of 9,000 megawatts by 2035. New York will invest up to $200 million in port infrastructure to match private sector investment in regional development of offshore wind. This multi-location investment represents the nation’s largest infrastructure commitment to offshore wind and solidifies New York’s position as the hub of the burgeoning U.S. offshore wind industry.
These new investments build upon a $250 million commitment. One for electric vehicle infrastructure by the New York Power Authority’s EVolve program. For it’s also a $3.5 billion in private investment in distributed solar. All driven by NYSERDA’s NY-Sun program. As well as NY Green Bank transactions mobilizing nearly $1.75 billion. Thereby in private capital for clean energy projects.
A Just Transition to a Clean Energy Economy
Deliver Climate Justice for Underserved Communities: The Green New Deal will help historically underserved communities prepare for a clean energy future and adapt to climate change by:
- Giving communities a seat at the table by codifying the Environmental Justice and Just Transition Working Group into law and incorporating it into the planning process for the Green New Deal’s implementation.
- Directing the State’s low-income energy task force to also identify reforms. Thereby to achieve greater impact of the public energy funds expended. Consequently each year in order to increase the effect of funds and initiatives that target energy affordability to underserved communities.
- Directing each of the State’s ten Regional Economic Development Councils to develop an environmental justice strategy for their region.
Finance a Property Tax Compensation Fund to Help Communities Transition to the Clean Energy Economy:
Governor Cuomo is introducing legislation to finance the State’s $70 million Property Tax Compensation Fund to continue helping communities directly affected by the transition away from dirty and obsolete energy industries and toward the new clean energy economy. Specifically, this funding will also protect communities. Those impacted by the retirement of conventional power generation facilities.
Protect Labor Rights:
To ask ensure creation of high-quality clean energy jobs. In addition to large-scale renewable energy projects supported by the Green New Deal will require prevailing wage, and the State’s offshore wind projects will be supported by a requirement for a Project Labor Agreement.
Develop the Clean Tech Workforce:
To prepare New York’s workforce for the transition, New York State will take new steps to support workforce development, including establishing a New York State Advisory Council on Offshore Wind Economic and Workforce Development, as well as investing in an offshore wind training center that will provide New Yorkers with the skills and safety training required to construct this clean energy technology in New York.
Richard Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York, said,
“Governor Cuomo’s Green New Deal will also advance New York State. That’s further into the clean energy future. So we won’t let the Trump Administration push us backwards. Governor Cuomo’s new commitments ensure New York. That New York is the undisputed national clean energy and climate leader. So we will continue to build upon the foundations of the REV agenda to achieve a sustainable economy and healthy environment for generations of New Yorkers to come.”
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “The threat of climate change calls for bold action like Governor Cuomo’s comprehensive agenda to make New York State carbon neutral.”
Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov
Source : New York State | Executive Chamber |press.office@exec.ny.gov17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399.
