New York State has been a leader in renewable energy since the establishment of NYSERDA in 1975. Some would say it even started all the way back with Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed through the Power authority act in 1931 to ensure that the development of hydroelectric power would be a public endeavor. FDR said, “It is my earnest hope that this is the forerunner of cheaper electricity for the homes and farms and small businesspeople of the state,". This sentiment carried past FDR’s tenure and eventually led to the development of the state’s hydroelectric power system that today accounts for 11% of all hydroelectric power in the United States.
As we enter a new era of energy New York has continued to stay ahead of the curve. In 2004 NYSERDA began to really ramp up with programs like the renewable portfolio standard and the energy efficiency portfolio standard in 2008.. Since 2004 total energy consumption has gone down over 20% while the state’s population has grown about 3.5%. The share of energy produced by renewable sources has increased by 13% over that same period. These efforts continue today with more programs designed to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency constantly being put in front of lawmakers in Albany. Some of these many policies include reforming the energy vision and the clean energy standard set even higher goals in reducing fossil fuels and greenhouse gasses.
NYSERDA’s many programs including EmPower, and more recently the clean energy hubs which received funding in December 2022 are a continuation of the states commitment to leading change in the energy sector. There was also a recently passed bill requiring all public facilities to run on 100% clean energy by 2030 and all municipally owned facilities by 2035. The All-electric building act passed in 2023 will begin to restrict fossil fuel hookups in new building projects, this is another step in New York’s electrification plan. This electrification plan can already be seen in effect around the capital region with two new residential projects in Troy, and Schenectady receiving green building grants as part of NYSERDA’s buildings of excellence program.
NYSERDA isn’t limiting their reach to the public sector; they were involved with the New York energy week put on by Enerknol, which is a leader in the data and policy research of the energy sector. This event brings leaders in the energy industry together to discuss current events, innovations, and future plans. This event is just another example of New York’s commitment to the future of energy.