According to a press release: “New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, members of the Senate Republican Conference, and statewide energy stakeholders today unveiled a package of smart energy policies to pursue a cleaner energy future. The plan puts affordability and reliability first for New York ratepayers, in sharp contrast to some of the radical proposals coming out of Albany.” I am highlighting a link to the press conference where this is announced because Richard Ellenbogen did a masterful job explaining his concerns about the net-zero transition plan and they match my worries.
This is another article about the Climate Act implementation plan that I have written because I believe the ambitions for a zero-emissions economy embodied in the Climate Act outstrip available renewable technology such that the net-zero transition will do more harm than good. The opinions expressed in this post do not reflect the position of any of my previous employers or any other company I have been associated with, these comments are mine alone.
Background
The implementation plan for New York’s Climate Act “Net Zero” target (85% reduction and 15% offset of emissions) by 2050 is underway. At the end of 2022 the Climate Action Council completed a Scoping Plan that makes recommends strategies to meet the targets. The Hochul Administration is developing regulations and proposing legislation to respond to those recommendations in 2023.
Unfortunately, the Scoping Plan is just a conglomeration of control strategies that are projected to provide the emission reductions required. The Plan did not do any feasibility analyses or address any “what if” questions raised by the NYISO or anyone else for that matter. As a result, I am convinced that it will fail.
I recently published Richard’s analysis of New York’s energy storage plan as a guest post. Ellenbogen is the President of Allied Converters that manufactures food packaging. His facility is about 55,000 square feet and does a lot of manufacturing with heat to seal the bags, all electrically driven. The facility has solar panels and uses co-generation. He explains:
In 2008, the average energy cost per square foot for a commercial facility in Westchester was $1.80. We were at 16% of that 12 years later and even with the increases, we are at 62% of that 14 years later. That has been done while having a carbon footprint 30% – 40% lower than the utility system. The $1.80 per foot also included commercial office space and our operation is far more energy intensive than an office. We use energy extremely efficiently and as a result, our bills are much lower than everyone else.
NYS Senate Republican Conference for Smart Energy Solutions
The event was an announcement for “smarter energy solutions”. The Republicans are calling for several alternatives and affordable amendments to the state’s current course of action, including:
- Independent cost studies and full transparency;
- Supporting diverse energy sources;
- Keeping needed power supply online to ensure the reliability of New York’s power grid; and
- Repealing and opposing anti-market mandates on consumers.
Richard was introduced as during the press conference to describe his technical concerns. He explained that he was representing an engineer’s perspective of the Climate Act Scoping Plan. I think his comments are a nice short and sweet description of the underlying technical issues that make the net-zero transition a very risky proposition that will cost too much for the state to afford. His email to me said:
The following link is to my presentation at today’s Senate Republican Press Conference at the Capital in Albany. I want to thank them, and Senator Mattera in particular, for offering me the platform to present reality to a wider audience before State policy causes major damage to our energy systems, public health, and to the state economy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQd-QlkDCbk
The full press conference is at the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9E3bSeutAg&t=4s
His presentation referenced a bar graph and the energy storage report.
During the question and answer period Richard said he made a power point presentation that explained his concerns about the proposed net-zero energy transition before the Climate Act was signed. That document and other information is available on his website.
Conclusion
There are a few minor issues I might quibble with but overall this is a great summary of the issues facing New York with this plan. I only hope that it wakes some people up.
Pragmatic Environmentalist of New York 