Following NYISO Short-Term Assessment of Reliability Report Governor Hochul Must Course-Correct by Building a Renewable Grid for the Future

Today, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) issued its quarterly short-term assessment of reliability (STAR) report for the state grid. The report predicts possible deficiencies in electricity supply for New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley, starting next year and growing through 2030. The report follows the cancellation of two critical transmission projects to serve New York City. For the next few years, new battery storage can supply most or all the identified need, and more electric transmission (particularly into New York City) can solve longer-term issues.

New York leaders have repeatedly failed to follow through on clean energy, storage, and transmission projects that would have supplied New York with abundant, affordable, clean energy. The cancelled 175-mile Clean Path NY transmission line, which was to be built by 2027, would have brought 1,300MW into New York City before 2030. In July, the New York State Public Service Commission abandoned efforts to develop a transmission project to connect multiple offshore wind farms to provide clean energy and meet growing demand. That project could have lowered costs by $40 to $70 billion from 2033 to 2052. That’s on top of the approximately 50,000 MW of mostly clean energy projects stuck in the interconnection queue, which could be built faster and cheaper than new gas.

Instead, NYISO may recommend that dirty, expensive, gas-burning power plants continue to operate in New York City and Long Island. This would be:

• Expensive for New Yorkers
• Devastating to frontline communities who have borne the brunt of health impacts from harmful pollution in their neighborhoods for decades
• Contrary to the state mandates to clean up the energy system to reduce costs and transition to non-emitting sources of energy

Moreover, the report does not support a NYISO executive’s suggestion of a potential need for “several thousand megawatts of new dispatchable generation.” The identified need in the report is resource neutral. Battery storage, transmission, and other cheap, clean resources can address the need. Meanwhile, NYISO’s own rigorous evaluations of resource adequacy reveal that the statewide system has between 192% and 1,250% of the industry-standard protection against loss of load events. NYISO’s quarterly report confirms that resource adequacy criteria are still met.

Earthjustice statement of Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate:

“If Governor Hochul is truly committed to an affordable energy agenda for New Yorkers, she will respond to this NYISO report with a plan to dramatically accelerate new transmission and battery storage. NYISO’s dangerous suggestion to keep dirty gas-plants operating in New York City and Long Island lacks factual support and not only runs counter to our landmark climate law, but would also harm health and drive up energy prices for all New Yorkers. As the federal administration raises costs for everyday Americans just to benefit the oil and gas industry, New Yorkers are counting on Governor Hochul to exhibit true leadership by building our clean, renewable future — not more fracked gas pipelines or power plants.”