The New York State Energy Planning Board on July 23 voted to release a Draft State Energy Plan for public comment.
The Draft State Energy Plan provides a 15-year outlook through 2040 to guide energy direction with recommendations for meeting future energy demands “that prioritize an energy system that is reliable, clean, and affordable while supporting economic development, equity and a healthy environment,” NYSERDA said.
New Yorkers have the opportunity to review the Draft State Energy Plan and provide their input by submitting written comments through October 6, as well as consider attending and offering oral comments at one of the virtual or in-person public hearings scheduled across the state in August and September.
The Draft State Energy Plan highlights the significant progress New York “has made toward a clean energy economy, such as investing in energy efficient technologies that are saving New Yorkers money, installing over six gigawatts of distributed solar, completing South Fork Wind, and breaking ground on the Champlain Hudson Power Express, Empire Wind 1, and Sunrise Wind projects,” NYSERDA said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also took additional actions in support of zero-emission energy by directing the New York Power Authority to develop and construct at least one GW of advanced nuclear energy generation -- the first new nuclear power facility constructed in New York State in decades, and by establishing the $1 billion Sustainable Future Program -- the largest single State Budget commitment to climate and clean energy in New York’s history, NYSERDA noted.
Key findings of the Draft State Energy Plan include:
• New York State is prepared to meet forecasted growth in electricity demand while maintaining system reliability and making progress toward a zero-emission grid, as demonstrated in analysis conducted for the Draft State Energy Plan.
• The reliability, affordability, and safety of the state’s energy system are critical. In order to meet peak demand needs and ensure system resilience, New York State will continue making strategic investments throughout the planning period, and all major fuels used today will continue to contribute to the state’s energy mix.
• To ensure that energy systems can reliably meet demand at reasonable cost, New York State agencies, system operators, and stakeholders will pursue planning and strategies that remain adaptable across a range of potential futures.
• Shifting priorities at the federal level are anticipated to impact long-term planning, investment decisions, and possibly the pace of transition to clean energy. This, however, does not change New York’s commitment to continued clean energy growth, and through this draft State Energy Plan, New York continues to show that clean, abundant and resilient energy, economic growth and public health and safety all work together to benefit New Yorkers.
Recommendations within the Draft State Energy Plan include actions to:
• Deliver abundant, reliable, resilient, and clean energy through a diverse mix of resources and supply infrastructure, while supporting energy efficiency and load flexibility;
• Plan for and pursue strategic investments to upgrade the State’s aging energy system infrastructure;
• Provide affordable energy across combined household energy and transportation fuel expenses, and lessen the energy burden for lower-income households;
• Provide equitable clean energy benefits by reducing the upfront costs of energy efficiency and clean energy choices for households, businesses, and in the transportation sector;
• Ensure all communities, especially disadvantaged communities, benefit from the energy transition by tailoring programs to their needs, designing inclusive engagement, and building local government capacity;
• Promote economic development by meeting the needs of large energy users and attracting new industry, including clean energy leaders;
• Support workforce development to take advantage of the substantial employment opportunities offered by the energy transition; and
• Advance energy innovation that fosters economic development and brings new technologies to market that will help enable New York’s energy transition
Public input received in response to the issuance of the Draft State Energy Plan will be used by the State Energy Planning Board to develop the Final State Energy Plan, which is anticipated to be published by the end of the year.
The State Energy Planning Board is also hosting seven in-person and two virtual hearings to receive feedback on the Draft State Energy Plan.
The State Energy Plan update process was announced in August 2024 and the State Energy Planning Board, comprised of the heads of State agencies and authorities, appointees from the Governor, Senate, and Assembly, and the president of the New York Independent System Operator, commenced its work in September 2024 to assess and compile data to inform the Draft State Energy Plan now available for review.
The Draft State Energy Plan reflects the directions set forth in the scope of work for the Plan that was informed by public comment and approved by the Board on March 3, 2025.
