New York State Energy Plan

According to the New York State Energy Plan website (Accessed 3/16/25):

The State Energy Plan is a comprehensive roadmap to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. The Plan provides broad program and policy development direction to guide energy-related decision-making in the public and private sectors within New York State.

The current Plan was initially published in 2015, and updated in 2020, when it was amended to align with the objectives of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). Since the last update, the Climate Action Council produced its Scoping Plan, examining many of the energy issues that contribute to climate change and offering recommendations that are currently being implemented by the State.

In recognition of the State’s historic clean energy transition, the State Energy Planning Board will now convene, chaired by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), to begin the process of developing a new Plan. Stakeholder engagement is an integral component in the development of the State Energy Plan, and the public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the draft scope and the draft plan throughout the process.

The final Plan will provide a 15-year outlook and will focus on strategies to meet future energy needs and advance economy-wide decarbonization, while balancing reliability, affordability, environmental and public health impacts and economic growth.

Not mentioned on the website is that the State Energy Planning Process is governed by Article 6 of the Energy Law which mandates that there is supposed to be annual progress report and that an updated version is required every four years.  The last biennial report (file name 2017 Biennial Report.pdf is posted at a link that says it is the 2015 biennial report.  The last energy plan was in 2015.  Obviously this was not a priority for the Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul administrations.

On September 9, 2024 the Hochul Administration initiated the State Energy Plan process.  Ideally, this could address the feasibility aspects of the net-zero transition.  However, the draft scope indicates that feasibility is not a priority.  The draft energy plan was released in July 2025.  The description of the process makes two points:

Public Participation

Development of the State Energy Plan is directed by the Energy Planning Board, as designated in statute. Comments on the State Energy Plan are sought throughout the process from stakeholders and members of the public through a Public Comment page on the State Energy Plan web site and at public hearings. Sign up for email updates to stay informed about opportunities for public participation.

Elements of the State Energy Plan

As outlined in statute, the State Energy Plan focuses on reliably meeting projected future energy demands, while balancing economic development, climate change, environmental quality, health, safety and welfare, transportation, and consumer energy cost objectives. The elements of the State Energy Plan are further detailed in the Scoping document.

On December 16, 2025 the Energy Planning Board approved the State Energy Plan.

2025 Energy Plan

Our Energy Systems

  1. Electricity [PDF]
  2. Nuclear [PDF]
  3. Natural Gas [PDF]
  4. Petroleum Fuels [PDF]
  5. Low-Carbon Alternative Fuels [PDF]
  6. Climate Change, Adaptation, and Resilience [PDF]
  7. Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness [PDF]

Energy and Our Lives

Plan Analyses and Impacts

  1. Pathways Analysis [PDF]
  2. Energy Affordability Impacts Analysis [PDF]
  3. Health Impacts Analysis [PDF]
  4. Jobs Impacts Analysis [PDF]
  5. Environmental Impacts Analysis [PDF]
  6. Acronyms and Glossary of Key Terms [PDF]

Data Annexes

This blog follows the 2025 energy planning process and this page will document the analyses.  The goal of the planning process is to “map the state’s energy future by showing how the state can ensure adequate supplies of power, reduce demand through new technologies and energy efficiency, preserve the environment, reduce dependence on imported gas and oil, stimulate economic growth, and preserve the individual welfare of New York citizens and energy users.” The major question that must be addressed is whether the Hochul Administration will use the energy planning process as an opportunity to consider the advice of stakeholders in its stakeholder process or just an obligation with no attempt to meaningfully engage with any comments inconsistent with the narrative.

The following articles address the 2025 Energy Plan.