PSEG Long Island Develops Plan to Meet New York State Goals

In 2019, New York State (NYS) passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, known as CLCPA or the Climate Act, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions drastically. Under the Climate Act, GHG emissions will be reduced 40 and 85 percent by 2030 and 2050, respectively, when compared to 1990 levels. Included in this metric are in-state sources as well as those out-of-state which are associated with NYS energy consumption.

How does NYS plan to help residents and business owners comply with these changes?

In order to achieve these goals, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) created the “Just Transition” Working Group along with six (6) Advisory Panels to work alongside the existing State’s Climate Action Council.

In July 2022, Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated Long Island (PSEG LI) submitted the Utility 2.0 Long Range Plan (Plan) to the State Department of Public Service (DPS), which contains their 2022 annual Energy Efficiency, Beneficial Electrification, & Demand Response Plan (EEBEDR) that covers both residential and commercial customers. Within the EEBEDR, program budgets, targets for energy savings, and cost-benefit analyses are outlined. Commercial Efficiency programs, including technical assistance rebates which help offset engineering and design costs for projects, are also discussed within the EEBEDR.

The Plan is largely focused around the NYS 2023 Strategic Priorities, which include:

• • Transportation Electrification: plans to encourage sale and use of electric vehicles
  • Demand and Grid-Edge Flexibility: efforts to expand use of renewables and improve grid flexibility in times of increased demand
  • Customer Insights and Analytics: expansion of Advanced Meter Infrastructure to analyze user trends
  • Building Decarbonization and Envelope Improvements: includes incentives available to aid in compliance
  • Moving Towards a Zero Emissions Grid

How will the Plan evolve as time goes on?

PSEG LI expects to release a 5-year version of the current Plan (5-year Plan) sometime in 2023. The following additional initiatives will be considered in detail within the 5-year Plan:

• • Measures to achieve net-zero goals
  • Provisions to identify and assist disadvantaged communities
  • How to deal with energy storage challenges, including use of renewables and resiliency measures
  • Data collection and studies regarding energy efficiency and building electrification potential
  • A formal review of budgets, programs, and targets in order to make changes as necessary

Walden has decades of experience with environmental regulatory compliance in New York State. Please call us today at 516-271-1948 for more information on how we can help you achieve your goals as the regulations continue to evolve.