The 2023-24 State Budget Enactment (“Budget Enactment” or “New Law”) significantly expands NYPA’s role in the renewable energy sector. The Budget Enactment amended the Power Authority Act to give NYPA additional authority to develop, own and operate new renewable energy generation projects. Notably, NYPA is authorized to partner with other entities to develop new renewable generation projects, paving the way for public-private partnerships on projects.

The Budget Enactment gives NYPA additional responsibilities that we’ve organized into four bodies of work.

 

NYPA's Additional Responsibilities

NYPA was granted authority to work with the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program to provide renewable energy bill credits to low-income New Yorkers. 

NYPA was authorized, as determined to be feasible and advisable by its Board of Trustees, to invest up to $25 million annually in workforce training. 

NYPA is planning to cease fossil fuel generation at its small natural gas power plants by 2030, as long as reliability and environmental conditions are met. NYPA will make decisions on a plant-by-plant basis after receiving public comment.

In addition to its expanded authority, NYPA has been given the responsibility to lead the Decarbonization Leadership Program, a decarbonization and electrification initiative announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul in October 2023.

Renewable Energy Access and Community Help

NYPA was granted authority to work with the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program to provide renewable energy bill credits to low-income New Yorkers. 

Workforce Development

NYPA was authorized, as determined to be feasible and advisable by its Board of Trustees, to invest up to $25 million annually in workforce training. 

Small Natural Gas Power Plants

NYPA is planning to cease fossil fuel generation at its small natural gas power plants by 2030, as long as reliability and environmental conditions are met. NYPA will make decisions on a plant-by-plant basis after receiving public comment.

Decarbonization Leadership Program

In addition to its expanded authority, NYPA has been given the responsibility to lead the Decarbonization Leadership Program, a decarbonization and electrification initiative announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul in October 2023.

2024:
  • July: NYPA issues Clean Energy Workforce Training RFP to qualify vendors who can build or expand New York’s training infrastructure and capacity to develop and deliver clean energy technical training, hands-on experience, and job placement assistance to new and existing workers.

  • May: NYPA pre-qualified 79 renewable developers and investors to collaborate on renewable energy generation projects. View the list here.

  • May: NYPA issued its report on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a REACH-like program for municipal distribution utilities and rural electric cooperatives.

  • April: Request for Qualifications (RFQ) closed and NYPA received more than 85 responses to the RFQ meant to pre-qualify renewable development companies and investors that meet requirements to collaborate with NYPA on the development of renewable energy generating projects, including solar photovoltaic, wind, battery storage, green hydrogen, geothermal, and renewable-related transmission.

  • March: NYPA issued a Request for Qualifications intended to pre-qualify potential renewable project developers and investors for future partnerships on renewable energy projects.

  • February: Request for Information (RFI) responses due to NYPA.

  • January: NYPA filed a petition with the state Public Service Commission to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program to provide renewable energy bill credits to low-income New Yorkers.

  • January: RFI issued to private industry to understand potential interest and opportunities for NYPA to collaborate with renewable developers.



2023:
  • 2023 Conferral Report

  • Conferral Report Meeting Letter

  • Carta - Reuniones de Deliberación

  • August: NYPA begins its first annual conferral process on the state’s progress toward achieving Climate Act goals, the timing of renewable projects in the New York Independent System Operator interconnection process, and NYPA’s proposed role in developing new renewable generation.

  • September: NYPA expands its executive leadership team to meet New York’s bold energy goals

  • October: Governor Hochul launches the Decarbonization Leadership Program, and charges NYPA with developing energy and emissions profiles of the state’s largest carbon-emitting facilities, as well as decarbonization action plans that will guide state agencies on facility improvements to reduce carbon emissions.

  • October: NYPA names Vennela Yadhati as its first Vice President to lead renewable project development.

  • NovemberNYPA completes its first annual conferral process. NYPA spoke with more than 50 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and received insightful feedback on the state’s progress toward achieving Climate Act goals, the timing of renewable projects in the New York Independent System Operator interconnection process, and NYPA’s proposed role in developing new renewable generation. 

  • NovemberNYPA publishes Conferral Report.