Res. No. 287

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and Governor to sign, A.1326/S.1978 and A.1382/S.3032, to promote a more sustainable and equitable energy system in New York State.

By Council Members Brannan, Hanif, Nurse, Gutiérrez and Joseph

Whereas, In 2021, New York State’s (NYS) electric grid was comprised of approximately 30% renewable generation resources, with approximately 4% provided by wind and 2.5% solar assets statewide; and

Whereas, Environmental advocates have expressed concerns that there are insufficient renewable projects in the pipeline to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (CLCPA) mandated target of 70% renewable energy by 2030, and a zero emission grid by 2040; and

Whereas, In New York City, electricity is largely generated via the combustion of fossil fuels, with approximately 85% of the electric supply sourced from fossil-fuel combustion plants in 2021, compared to upstate, where only 12% is sourced from fossil-fuel combustion plants and 88% of the electricity is supplied via renewable generation; and

Whereas, The New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice has acknowledged that the City must maximize the use of renewables within the city, and increase transmission from clean power sources outside the city, in order to meet the CLCPA mandated goal of an 100% zero emissions grid by 2040; and

Whereas, The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is the largest public utility in the country, providing approximately 25% of New York’s energy, around 80% of which is renewable hydroelectric power, the most affordable source of energy available in NYS; and

Whereas, The NYPA is currently barred by its charter from owning more than six generation projects over 25 megawatts; and

Whereas, A.1382, introduced by NYS Assembly Member Robert Carroll, and S.3032, introduced by NYS Senator Kevin Parker, would empower the NYPA to own new renewable energy generation facilities; and

Whereas, The State bill would give the NYPA the right of first offer and refusal for acquiring any renewable generational facility; and

Whereas, A.1326, introduced by NYS Assembly Member Robert Carroll, and S.1978, introduced by NYS Senator Robert Jackson, would establish a downstate New York Power Authority to own and operate electricity services and acquire the distribution facilities formerly owned by any downstate utility corporation by purchase or condemnation; and

Whereas, In New York City, Consolidated Edison of New York (ConEd) holds a virtual monopoly over the electricity market, serving all parts of New York City (except for Rockaway, Queens), and Westchester County; and

Whereas, ConEd is an investor-owned for-profit company that answers to its shareholders, not solely the general public in New York City and Westchester; and

Whereas, Publicly-owned and operated utilities are governed by and operate for the sole benefit of the public; and

Whereas, Public power systems can perform equal to, if not better than, private power systems in reliability; and

Whereas, According to the American Public Power Association, public power customers are likely to be without power for an average of 62 minutes per year, compared to 150 minutes per year for private utility customers, provided there are no major adverse events; and

Whereas, According to the American Public Power Association, residential customers of public power utilities pay monthly bills that are on average 4% less than customers of investor-owned utilities; and

Whereas, New York City needs a reliable electricity provider that is fully accountable to the public to ensure the safety and economic health of the city; and

Whereas, To confront the climate crisis, NYS must take further action to ensure its energy needs are met through the generation of renewable energy; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and Governor to sign, A.1326/S.1978 and A.1382/S.3032, to promote a more sustainable and equitable energy system in New York State.

LS 5162

NM

7/29/22