Podcasts about community protection act

While the fossil fuel industry continues to promote "natural gas" as a relatively "clean" energy source, Dr. Robert Howarth has argued since since his seminal report in 2011 that methane (which makes up roughly 5% of "natural gas") poses a greater threat to humankind than "dirty" options like coal and oil. This is particularly true of methane produced through hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") Join us for a conversation about what we've now known for more than a decade, and how much more convinced Dr. Howarth is now that we should not be fracking for gas, nor otherwise be using methane as an energy source.Dr. Howarth is the David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University. He's an Earth systems scientist, ecosystem biologist, and biogeochemist. He has worked extensively on environmental issues related to human-induced changes in the sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycles, the impacts of global climate change, the interaction of energy systems and the environment, and implementation of 100% renewable energy policies. He is the Founding Editor of the journal Biogeochemistry.Currently, Howarth serves as one of 22 members of the Climate Action Council, the group charged by law with implementing the aggressive climate goals of New York's Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act of 2019, often referred to as CLCPA. Howarth has published more than 200 research papers, and these have been cited in other peer-reviewed articles more than 70,000 times, making Howarth one of the ten most cited aquatic scientists in the world. In 2011, Time Magazine named Howarth as one of 50 “People Who Matter” for his research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas produced from hydraulic fracturing, better known as “fracking”.Topics Discussed Include:Why methane is such a concern with regard to climate changeWhy methane emissions are greater than predicted by the gas industryWhy Dr. Howarth believes methane is worse for the climate than coalHow some methane leaks are accidental while others are routine, and therefore can't be eliminatedHow OGI thermal cameras are able to see methane and other greenhouse gassesFurther ReadingDr. Howarth maintains a web site featuring many of the works he's published over the years, including the April 2011 paper on methane leaks from gas fracking.Support the showVisit us at climatemoneywatchdog.org!

Climate change policy has a long history. Assembly Member Anna Kelles joins us to discuss legislative measures in Albany to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and hold industry polluters accountable. Climate experts express concerns about the state's progress in implementing one policy in particular: the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. We investigate why the state is lagging behind its timeline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

In this episode I'm interviewing a researcher who has been studying the impacts of methane on the greenhouse effect, and trying to assess whether burning natural gas is helping or hurting the climate. His most recent paper suggests that it should not be considered an improvement over coal. Robert Howarth is an Earth systems scientist and ecosystem biologist with a Ph.D. jointly from MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He joined the faculty of Cornell University in 1985 and was appointed the David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology in 1993. He also is an Adjunct Senior Scientist at the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole, MA, and is Co-Editor in Chief of the journal Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research. He has published over 250 scientific papers, reports, and book chapters and has edited or authored eight books. His peer-reviewed papers have been cited more than 85,000 times in other peer-reviewed literature, making him one of the most cited environmental scientists in the world. Howarth's research is broad ranging and includes climate effects on nutrient pollution in lakes and coastal ecosystems, nitrogen effects in coastal marine ecosystems, sources of methane from natural gas operations and agriculture, atmospheric ammonia pollution, alternative energy policies, and lifecycle assessments for hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and renewable natural gas. He is one of 22 members of New York's Climate Action Council, the group charged with implementing the State's ambitious climate goals laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019. If you agree we need more Rationality support the podcast at Patron dot podbean dot com slash TheRationalView If you have a comment find me on Facebook at TheRationalView

Rising costs top concern for Rolison, Valdés Smith With the price of essentials such as housing and energy rising unabated, state Sen. Rob Rolison and his challenger, Yvette Valdés Smith, each say affordability is a crucial problem as they battle for a state Senate seat representing the 39th District, which includes Beacon and Philipstown. When speaking with voters, a major concern is "not being able to pay bills or deciding on [paying for] groceries or my Central Hudson bill," said Valdés Smith, a former teacher whose district on the Dutchess County Legislature includes Ward 4 in Beacon. The Democrat is also the Legislature's minority leader. Rolison, a Republican who served as City of Poughkeepsie mayor before defeating Beacon resident Julie Shiroishi in 2022 to win the redrawn 39th District, said reducing the local cost of living is also one of his priorities. He faced criticism from Valdés Smith in April after voting against state budget bills whose spending included $350 million to fund an additional tax credit for families eligible for the Empire State Child Tax Credit and $934 million in additional Foundation Aid for school districts. Separately, he has sponsored legislation to boost funding for tax credits to businesses providing childcare and to require the Public Service Commission and Comptroller's Office to determine the cost to residents of the state's mandated transition to renewable energy. Utility bills include a charge for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy programs. Although the state has challenges and "we have to spend money," Rolison said, the state comptroller is predicting deficits over the next three years. "We certainly don't want to be in a situation where we're continuing to spend money that we're getting from taxpayers," he said. Rolison said he is "absolutely proud" of his environmental record. He voted for the law enacted in 2023 to prohibit Holtec from discharging radioactive water into the Hudson River as it decommissions Indian Point, and for the Climate Change Superfund Act. The legislation, which Gov. Kathy Hochul has yet to sign, requires that companies responsible for the buildup of greenhouse gases help fund infrastructure projects that reduce the impact of climate change. But Rolison voted against the NY HEAT Act, designed to curtail the use of gas by utilities and cap energy bills for low- and moderate-income customers at 6 percent of their income. Rolison said he supports climate goals but believes the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which establishes a goal of 100 percent zero-emissions energy by 2040, is too aggressive. "We're seeing that with school districts pushing back on the EV [electric-vehicle] bus mandate," he said, referring to a law requiring that districts buy only zero-emissions buses by 2027 and have all-electric fleets by 2035. Valdés Smith, who taught environmental science in Manhattan and Yonkers, said that protecting water and natural resources is a top concern. She joined Dutchess County legislators in voting unanimously last month to limit the proximity of polluting businesses to water sources, and she supports the NY HEAT Act. When speaking with residents, housing costs were the second-most-cited concern. Many are "worried about their parents or themselves being able to stay in their homes," she said. Valdés Smith said she supports the construction of more housing across income ranges amid a shortage and said the state needs to invest in infrastructure so that residential developments are not located in areas that cannot handle the burdens on roads and sewer and water systems. "It has to be smart development," she said, including "around our Metro-North stations so people can commute and rely on public transportation." Rolison joined the backlash against a proposal by Hochul to supersede local zoning laws to spearhead housing construction. Like Valdés Smith, Rolison said he supports new residences across income ranges but believes municipali...

While the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have taken considerable steps in planning for NYS's transition to renewable energy, they must take stronger action to meet the state's clean energy goals, according to an audit by the NYS Comptroller. The audit found inadequate planning, monitoring and assessment of risks and challenges in the PSC's efforts to help the state meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's (Climate Act) targets, which seek 70% renewably sourced electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040. Tina Kim, State Comptroller for State Government Accountability, talks about the audit with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Superfund law approved, but others don't get to floor Environmentalists and lawmakers began the final week of New York's legislative session with optimism, as several key pieces of climate legislation moved through the Senate and Assembly. Then, on June 5, Gov. Kathy Hochul surprised everyone by announcing that she was "indefinitely pausing" New York City's plan to charge drivers for entering Manhattan below 60th Street, which was to begin at the end of June. The congestion-pricing plan had been expected to raise $1 billion a year for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, revenue that would help the agency obtain a $15 billion bond for upgrades, including on Metro-North's Hudson Line, which serves the Highlands. The announcement and its effect on the MTA's budget upended negotiations on two climate-related bills, according to Richard Schrader, director of New York government affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council. New York is attempting to reach ambitious goals set in 2019 by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which says that, among other benchmarks, at least 70 percent of New York's energy must come from renewable sources by 2030. "We're behind the eight ball," said Schrader. "I don't think it's fatal. But man, we have to move quickly." Not everyone was on board with congestion pricing. New Jersey sued to stop it, and Rep. Mike Lawler and Rep. Pat Ryan, whose districts include Philipstown and Beacon, respectively, are against it. But as recently as last month, the governor endorsed it. Last week, Hochul changed course, saying she feared the plan would weigh on New York City's economy. Steven Higashide, a Beason resident who is director of the clean transportation program for the Union of Concerned Scientists, believes "blowing a $15 billion hole in the MTA capital program will have a much larger impact on New York's ability to recover from the pandemic. This could mean higher fares if the MTA has to borrow more money for basic repairs. It's hardly a win for the Hudson Valley." For passenger vehicles, the congestion-pricing toll was set at $15 during the day and $3.75 at night, with discounts for lower-income drivers, disabled commuters and those who pay tunnel tolls. According to an analysis by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, it would have affected only 2 percent of Putnam County commuters and 1.1 percent in Dutchess. The state has already spent $500 million to install cameras and hire staff, money that can't be recouped, said Neal Zuckerman, a Philipstown resident who represents Putnam County on the MTA board and is chair of its finance committee. The MTA had planned to spend billions of dollars on upgrades such as emissions-free electric buses, making more subway stations accessible to riders with disabilities, improving the pumping system to combat subway flooding and improving signals to reduce delays. Zuckerman said that finding funds to provide basic services is now the priority. "We can never re-enter the era that we were in the '70s," he said. "We're all focused on figuring out how we can make the MTA fiscally sustainable." Schrader noted that it's unclear if the governor's order, made at a news conference, is binding. "We don't see anything in terms of a legal brief or any type of a [formal] memo of understanding," he said. Nevertheless, advocates believe Hochul's announcement killed the momentum for two climate bills, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT), by forcing legislators to focus on the MTA budget gap. The nonprofit Beyond Plastics has been lobbying for the Packaging Reduction Act, which would require packaging to be reusable or recyclable and exclude 15 chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PFAS, formaldehyde and mercury. Companies that use packaging that can't be recycled would be responsible for disposal costs. "It's about the polluters taking responsibility for their pl...

Most greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are generated during the process of burning fossil fuels for heat, electricity and transportation. As concerns about the resulting negative health effects and rapid global warming grow, legislators nationwide are developing plans to change course on energy production.In this episode, hear from Robert Howarth, David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, on tactics for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the ambitious goals of New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.Listen for insights on:Beneficial electricityGround source and air source heat pumpsToxic air pollutants from gas stovesHealth costs of fossil fuelsCap-and-invest programsLearn more in environmental courses and certificate programs from eCornell, including:Climate Change LeadershipSustainable BusinessCorporate SustainabilitySustainable PreservationDid you enjoy this episode of the Cornell Keynotes podcast from eCornell? Watch the full Keynote. Follow eCornell on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.

In this episode of the Daily Energy News Beat, Stuart Turley discusses various energy-related topics, including concerns about the Biden administration's impact on the U.S. energy supply, the Arctic LNG 2 project in Russia, environmental regulations in New York, Europe's gas storage and supply, and strategies to address Iran's aggression. The host highlights the importance of the Gulf of Mexico for natural gas and oil production and expresses skepticism about certain policies. The episode also touches on geopolitical issues, including discussions with George McMillan about pipelines and global politics. The host emphasizes the need for discussions on energy to elevate humanity out of poverty and criticizes what he sees as energy hypocrisy.Highlights of the Podcast00:00 - Intro02:51 - Energy Workforce: Biden's Gulf of Mexico leasing auction “detrimental” to U.S. energy supply04:38 - Arctic LNG 2 T1 First LNG Drop05:30 - Pragmatic Environmentalist of New York06:53 - Europe Almost Replaces Russian Gas08:29 - Strategy to End Iran's Aggression10:09 - Pipelines and Global Political Center of Gravity Alternatives – George McMillan Energy and Geopolitical series10:53 - Markets Update12:27 - OutroPlease see the links below for articles that we discuss in the podcast.Energy Workforce: Biden's Gulf of Mexico leasing auction “detrimental” to U.S. energy supply(WO) – Energy Workforce & Technology Council released the following statement rebuffing the newly finalized Department of Interior 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The program holds the fewest oil and gas […]Arctic LNG 2 T1 First LNG DropA step forward, not the finish line The first train for the ALNG2 project started producing LNG today at 10:30 local time. While producing the first LNG drop is a significant achievement for any liquefaction […]Pragmatic Environmentalist of New YorkNote: For quite a while now I have put my Citizens Guide to the Climate Act article as the top post on the website because it summarizes the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (Climate Act). This post updates my […]Europe Almost Replaces Russian GasThe European Union has been working to cut down its reliance on Russian energy, especially natural gas. While it sounds simple to just find new energy suppliers, it's actually a tough task. It involves setting […]Strategy to End Iran's AggressionHistory continues to offer lessons and strategy to Washington if only the Biden Administration had the wisdom to hear it. Eighty years ago, the allies quickly realized that both Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan fed […]Pipelines and Global Political Center of Gravity Alternatives – George McMillan Energy and Geopolitical seriesENB Pub Note: This is the 4th article in a series with George McMillian, CEO of McMillian and Associates. The other articles and the first podcast are listed below. Buckle up, get your popcorn, and […]Follow Stuart On LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Michael On LinkedIn and TwitterENB Top NewsENBEnergy DashboardENB PodcastENB Substack– Get in Contact With The Show –

Ben Kuebrich discusses New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, what to expect when gas utilities do their own decarbonization planning, and how states and clean energy advocates can actually address methane gas use in the buildings sector.… Read More

In this episode of our Power Trends podcast, Julie Tighe discusses her role leading the New York League of Conservation Voters, and her recent addition to the NYISO's Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). The EAC, which was formed in 2005, provides information and analysis on state and federal environmental policies relative to NYISO's mission of grid reliability.“No one is going to be happy if the air conditioning goes out in a heat wave. So, we need to be strategic about that,” she said.NYLCV's efforts range from advocating for clean air and water to working with the real estate industry on constructing greener buildings. “[The League is] the political arm of the environmental movement here in New York, where we really hold elected officials accountable for their actions on environmental policy,” she explained.In the interview, Julie discusses new grid-level technology being developed, including thermal energy networks, that could address growing consumer electric demand. Tighe said it's crucial to avoid “pie in the sky policy” and work on practical solutions that address decarbonization goals while maintaining system reliability.Julie also speaks to the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, arguably the nation's most ambitious set of state decarbonization policies.  “On the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act…the state went through a robust planning process with a significant amount of public input, lots of stakeholders who were involved in the conversation, really setting out the roadmap for how we are going to achieve these big, bold, ambitious goals of getting to an economy that is 85% emissions reduction by 2050,” she said.“We need to have big stretch goals…but I also think we need to make sure that they are, in fact, technically achievable in a manner that's affordable,” she said. Read the announcement of Julie Tighe's addition to the New York ISO's Environmental Advisory CouncilAdditional Resources and InformationEnvironmental Advisory CouncilNew York League of Conservation Voters  Learn More Follow us on Twitter @NewYorkISO and LinkedIn @NYISO Read our blogs and watch our videos Check out our 2040 grid page

In this week's episode, host Margaret Walls talks with Victoria Sanders and Molly Robertson. Sanders is a research analyst at the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, and Robertson works at Resources for the Future as a research associate. They discuss a recent report that Sanders and Robertson have published alongside coauthors about the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, a 2019 law in New York State that aims to achieve net-zero emissions and specifies that at least 35 percent of the benefits should go toward disadvantaged communities. Sanders and Robertson describe the role of environmental justice communities and advocacy groups in the development and implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, options for implementing the law, and how these implementation options are projected to affect greenhouse gas emissions and air quality in specific communities. References and recommendations: “Prioritizing Justice in New York State Climate Policy: Cleaner Air for Disadvantaged Communities?” by Alan Krupnick, Molly Robertson, Wesley Look, Eddie Bautista, Victoria Sanders, Eunice Ko, Dan Shawhan, Joshua Linn, Miguel Jaller, Narasimha Rao, Miguel Poblete Cazenave, Yang Zhang, Kai Chen, and Pin Wang; https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/environmental-justice-communities-new-york-state-climate-policy-clcpa/ “Broken Ground” podcast; https://brokengroundpodcast.org/ “Never Out of Season: How Having the Food We Want When We Want It Threatens Our Food Supply and Our Future” by Rob Dunn; https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rob-dunn/never-out-of-season/9780316260695

In the first hour of "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, we discuss how to implement New York State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

April 11, 2023 - As part of New York's environmental justice movement, the state's Climate Justice Working Group has come with criteria to identify disadvantaged communities that will be prioritized as part of the green revolution in the Empire State. Sonal Jessel, director of policy for WE ACT for Environmental Justice and a member of the working group, explains the definition of disadvantaged communities and discusses the potential investments as the state tries to realize the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

In this week's episode, host Kristin Hayes talks with Maureen Leddy, who serves as director of the Office of Climate Change at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Leddy discusses the state's recently approved Scoping Plan, which proposes strategies for meeting the state's emissions-reduction goals that are required by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019. Leddy reviews how the plan was developed, the community engagement involved in the development process, and specific emissions-reduction strategies that are outlined in the Scoping Plan. References and recommendations: “New York State Climate Action Council Scoping Plan” from the New York State Climate Action Council; https://climate.ny.gov/ScopingPlan “Estimating the Value of Carbon: Two Approaches” by Resources for the Future and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority; https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/estimating-the-value-of-carbon-two-approaches/ “The Energy Gang” podcast; https://www.greentechmedia.com/podcast/the-energy-gang

For nearly three years, the New York State Climate Action Council has been working on a long term plan to meet the goals set out in The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The Scoping Plan is meant to serve as an initial framework for how the State will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and ensure climate justice. Moses Nagel reports on the vote for approval of the plan which took place at the end of last month.

The Co-Chairs of New York's Climate Action Council -- Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris -- joined the show to discuss the newly-passed NYS Climate Action Council Scoping Plan, "which outlines recommended policies and actions to help meet the goals and requirements of the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act."

The NYISO recently released a new report that identifies the unprecedented level of electrical system investment necessary to achieve New York State's climate policy requirements. Developed in collaboration with stakeholders and state agencies, the 2021-2040 System and Resource Outlook (the Outlook) uses various scenarios to identify potential pathways for transmission and supply investments that will support a reliable transition of the electric grid. In our latest Power Trends podcast, NYISO Vice President for System and Resource Planning Zach Smith explains the potential impacts of the changing resource mix on the needs of the electric grid to maintain reliability. State policies, like the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, are having profound impacts on the electric system and decisions for system investments to keep the lights on.System planning has always been a vital part of what we do, along with managing New York's electric grid reliability and wholesale competitive markets. The NYISO is required to study the electric system for potential risks to meeting stringent reliability rules and make recommendations on how to maintain grid reliability into the future.   “I'm really proud of the work our team has done to consider different scenarios and identify the actions we all need to be taking now,” Smith said. “The intent is to give policymakers and stakeholders a view of the future that considers the physical constraints of the system so we can make informed investment decisions that preserve grid reliability.”By simulating different future system configurations and forecasting the transmission constraints for each, we were able to identify the following key findings:State climate mandates are driving the need for unprecedented levels of new generation capacity to achieve decarbonization and maintain system reliability.Electrification of buildings and transportation driven by state policies is one of the largest factors driving rapid increases in peak and annual energy demand. Significant increases in new resource and transmission development will be required to achieve CLCPA targets. Dispatchable Emission-Free Resources (DEFRs) must be developed and deployed at scale well before 2040 to achieve an emission-free grid.Ultimately, preparing for a zero-emissions electric grid by 2040, as directed by state policy, will require a variety of solutions. Examples include new transmission, significant build-out of renewable and storage resources, and the use of Dispatchable Emissions-Free Resources (DEFRs). DEFRs will be needed to replace current fossil-fueled generators to respond quickly to changing system conditions and be able to supply the grid for extended periods. DEFR technologies are not yet commercially viable but must be developed and added to the system at scale to reliably serve demand when intermittent generation from wind and solar is unavailable and supply from storage resources is depleted. The lead time necessary for research, development, permitting, and construction of DEFR supply will require action well in advance of 2040 if state policy mandates under the CLCPA are to be achieved.“We're talking about policies and goals that are in 2040, and may feel like a long way off,” Smith said. “But we need to think about all of these factors today.”For more, download our datasheet, or get the full report

From finding new homes for desks and other surplus items at SUNY to electric cars, New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and the federal Inflation Reduction Act, this episode of The Voice podcast is fully focused on the environment. Host Fred Kowal discusses the landmark Inflation Reduction Act and the positive impact it can have on the environment and how it advances environmental justice for low-income areas, communities of color and Tribal communities.Kowal also talks about the CLCPA and where the process to implement New York's sweeping environmental protection stands. And there's conversation about several state bills being pushed by UUP to make SUNY greener and a green energy leader. Kowal speaks with Sue Fassler, director of sustainable operations at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Fassler is a UUP member who co-chairs UUP's statewide Environmental Issues and Advocacy Committee. He also speaks with Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates NY. Iwanowicz has served as acting commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation and deputy secretary for the environment. He was the first director of the New York State Office of Climate Change.

Indigenous communities are on the front lines of the fight for climate action and have a unique historical relationship to the land with an understanding of best practices for stewardship. Their voices are critical to ensuring that New York meets the climate goals set out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Alÿcia Bacon, NY Organizer for Mothers Out Front, discusses how to lift up Indigenous voices in the state climate plan process. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. (The NY Renews link for comments is https://www.nyrenews.org/submit-a-comment-on-indigenous-sovereignty)

Ned Sullivan locates the roots of his moxie in his relationship with the outdoors. Pivotal experiences in nature have helped him navigate change and uncertainty, as well as cultivate leadership and collaboration skills and the ability to change his focus and direction when circumstances necessitate it.Ned has been the president of Scenic Hudson for two decades. He and his passionate team develop ever-evolving strategies to magnify the organization's positive impacts on the natural resources and people of the Hudson Valley. He founded the Northeast Carbon Alliance, a consortium of research farms, forest managers, wetland stewards, climate scientists, and public policy experts committed to accelerating the adoption of regenerative practices.Ned is a member of the New York State Climate Action Council–Agriculture, and Forestry Advisory Council, developing recommendations for policies, laws, and just transitions to achieve the net-zero carbon goal under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. For more information about Ned, check out our show notes at Main Street Moxie.This episode is sponsored by Northeast Ford and Catskill View Weddings.

Our stakeholders recently approved changes to market rules which, if accepted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, will help us meet New York's zero-emissions mandates by supporting new investments in energy resources.The proposal was created to make it easier for clean-energy resources such as solar or wind to take part in the competitive, wholesale markets that serve the New York grid. The project was overwhelmingly supported by stakeholders, following months of discussion on how to reconcile capacity market rules with the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.Why is this change important, how did it come about, and how will it help bring us to a zero-emissions grid by 2040? Vice President for External Affairs and Corporate Communications Kevin Lanahan recently interviewed two of the primary authors of the proposal, also known as Comprehensive Mitigation Reform, for our latest Power Trends podcast. He spoke to Director of Market Design Mike DeSocio, and Manager of Capacity Market Design Zach T. Smith.“What we're really focused on is making sure resources that are participating in the wholesale, competitive markets are treated fairly and can compete on a level playing field,” said DeSocio. DeSocio explained further: buyer-side mitigation (BSM) rules were created to make sure that no single resource could have an unfair competitive advantage over another, including out-of-market payments. But many new wind and solar resources entering the market receive government subsidies because of their clean-energy attributes. Without reform, current BSM rules could limit how these clean energy resources could compete in the wholesale markets. The concern was that existing rules could make electricity more expensive and limit new investment in clean energy.  Our new reforms, if approved by federal regulators, will make sure this doesn't happen. “It took a lot of work to get there,” DeSocio noted. “But we ended up with a proposal that balances all the various needs.” Another important component of these reforms is what is known as resource capacity accreditation, explained Smith. Accreditation values the contribution each resource has toward reliability. Battery storage, for instance, will be more important in the future because it can provide the flexible power, we'll need to offset clean energy when the wind stops blowing or the sun doesn't shine.  “Our proposal,” Smith says, “will reflect that increase in value of these resources as the system changes.”By adding this value, capacity accreditation will help maintain the right investment signals for new resource developers, he said. For more on the market changes that will help bring New York to a clean-energy future, listen now.For more about how we are addressing a zero-emissions grid with market-based solutions, visit the 2040 Power Grid webpage.  

Heating and cooling concerns about 1/3 of all greenhouse gas emissions. With the convergence of advanced clean energy technologies, the chance of being fossil fuel free now appears! In New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, more commonly known as the Climate Act, the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals have been turned into law. Did you know that it not only aims to achieve 40% reduction by 2030 and 85% by 2050, but also envisions giving 35% of all benefits to communities that have been most disadvantaged by climate pollution? We have been successfully moving towards our 2025 goals, and now, through NYS Clean Heat, we can take another step forward with heat pumps! The entire world is heading down this road. Why not do it today and be ahead of the game? Anyone who gets into this program now is on the cutting edge, ahead of everyone else. With numerous incentives, this is undoubtedly what contractors (existing or new) need to grow in the geothermal space. Check this episode as we engage in a conversation with people who can help you increase your profit, lower your competition, and make a positive impact with geothermal installations!     Featured Speakers:   Wendy MacPherson is the Assistant Director of Clean Heating and Cooling for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Wendy leads New York State's efforts to develop markets that support renewable, high-efficiency, and clean thermal systems, including air-source, ground-source and water-source heat pumps. She is charged with conceptualizing & driving strategies to advance building electrification within New York State.    Steve Coulter is the Clean Heat Program Manager at Con Edison. In coordination with the statewide New York State Clean Heat Program, Steve implements Con Edison's heat pump incentive offerings - helping utility customers save energy and money with clean heating and cooling. Steve recently worked with Con Edison's Non-Wires Solutions team where he developed customer-sided solutions to reduce electric peak demand on constrained areas of the distribution grid as alternatives to traditional utility capital projects. Prior to his work at Con Edison, Steve has been passionately engaged in a range of clean energy initiatives in previous roles at Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Business Council Institute.   Mike Seidenberg is the Owner of Eco Energy in Rochester, New York. 14 years ago, Mike left his job as a Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning technician to start his own HVAC company and specialize in geothermal heat pumps.   Maggie Seidenberg is a BPI Building Analyst & Owner of Energyvana LLC. Growing up around the HVAC industry under the wing of her Dad, Maggie was never a stranger to the changing tides of energy efficiency. After intending to study Biochemistry as a possible energy source, she saw that the very root of energy efficiency lies within the user. Her goal and success is helping New York State homeowners make a lasting impact that promotes a greener future – and a greener pocket!   Moderator:   Ron Kamen is the CEO of EarthKind Energy Consulting in Rhinebeck, New York. For decades, he's been catalyzing exponential change in sustainable energy adoption with governments, non-profits, and businesses through his expertise in the field. Ron hosts the AWESome EarthKind podcast and helps empower people to make clean energy transitions to reduce their carbon footprint and save money.     In this episode, Wendy, Steve, Mike, and Maggie join forces as they talk about the process on how a contractor can achieve greater success by becoming a Geothermal HVAC Contractor. Here, they discuss the Climate Act, the NYS Clean Heat Program Incentives, and answers questions with regards to geothermal installations and its benefit to you and the earth.     Valuable Resource:   Please read Section 4 of the the NYS Clean Heat Program Manual to learn about the Participating Contractor requirements and how to enroll. Visit the NYS Clean Heat Contractor Enrollment Page for more information and application documents: https://saveenergy.ny.gov/NYScleanheat/become-participating-contractor/ Call (844) 212-7823 for enrollment related inquiries.     Topics Covered:   03:14 – Ron introduces himself and this web class' speakers: Wendy MacPherson, Steve Coulter, Mike Seidenberg, and Maggie Seidenberg.   08:40 – Wendy discusses New York State's climate goals. Here, she highlights the Climate Act and the NYS Clean Heat alongside the reason behind the need to focus on heating and cooling.   14:59 – Steve starts by introducing himself then proceeds to talk about the NYS Clean Heat Program Incentives, the opportunities, and the how-to's of enrollment.   26:50 – Father and daughter Mike and Maggie talk about their company and how their process keeps clients motivated in this transitioning movement towards a clean and green space.   31:24 – Maggie explains how helpful the manual is in seeing and understanding what your house actually needs. Moreover, they discuss the advantage they put forward as they help train customers into effectively knowing how to approach their own geothermal space.   36:19 – What are the certifications contractors need to plan about and have in order to be able to roll a product? Are there any upstate opportunities when you do the geothermal cycle?   39:37 – Mike shares what they do with hot water then proceeds to talk about the equipments geothermal installers need to make their practice successful.   42:40 – How long does it take for them to close a deal and finish the installation process? What is the difference between geothermal and air source heat pumps? What are the benefits?   45:36 – Are there any additional license requirements imposed by the State? What are the challenges in insurance? What are the terms of warranties? Are there maintenance contracts?   49:41 – Steve mentions the biggest incentive out there as people transition more into heat pump water heaters. Wendy talks about the best way to have that state support in trainings and the participation process a contractor needs to go through in order to apply.   54:28 – Contractors are too busy with traditional business. They cannot expand their business with this limited work force. How could this be accomplished?   56:14 – As we continue transitioning, we'll later on need to change codes. What is Wendy's take on this?   58:40 – A quick summarization of the speakers' stated points in today's web class.     Valuable SuperNovas:   “There is no way New York State is going to meet these decarbonization goals with the current workforce installing heat pumps at the current pace. We need public and private sectors working together to drive this significant change. We need you to install heat pumps. We need you to be a part of the electrification revolution.” – Wendy MacPherson   “How do I become a successful geothermal contractor? Become a NYS Clean Heat Participating Contractor.” – Steve Coulter   “It is a good environment to sell on because you're showing them that you care not only about their project but [also] their home, their comfort, everything that makes it up. It's like a full body investment in a house.” – Maggie Seidenberg   “I'm pessimistic. I believe that everything is going to break someday, so it's nice to have two sources of heat, which makes the customers happy when it does break.” – Mike Seidenberg   “There is nothing that is more important right now than building electrification.” – Wendy MacPherson     Connect: Wendy MacPherson: wendy.macpherson@nyserda.ny.gov Steve Coulter: coulters@coned.com Mike Seidenberg: mikes@ecoenergyny.com Maggie Seidenberg: maggie@energyvanallc.com Ron Kamen: ron@earthkindenergy.com  

Heating and cooling concerns about 1/3 of all greenhouse gas emissions. With the convergence of advanced clean energy technologies, the chance of being fossil fuel-free now appears! In New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, more commonly known as the Climate Act, the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals have been turned into law. […] The post Achieve Greater Success Becoming a Geothermal HVAC Contractor appeared first on AWESome EarthKind.

Last month, the world's leaders conducted the 26th COP – the climate international summit – in Glasgow. The two week event ended without the deep cuts in greenhouse emissions that scientists had pleaded for. Here in New York, the state is still in the process of implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act that state lawmakers approved 2 and a half years ago. On Tuesday, the Climate Action Council set up to develop a plan for state action on climate met to finish its work on the first draft. Andrea Cunliffe talked to Mark about how climate change policy is developing in New York.

How do advocacy groups work within government? Are they effective? What are the key policies that we need to enact to solve climate change? These are just a few of the questions Nadya tackles with her guest, Julie Tighe. As president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, Tighe has helped the state enact numerous climate legislation, including the $3 Billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth & Community Benefit Act, and the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act – the nation's most progressive climate law.  Previously, she served as the Chief of Staff of New York's Department of Environmental Conservation where she was a primary negotiator for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, three successful Constitutional Amendments, and one of the most comprehensive electronics recycling laws in the country. Join the conversation to discover the heart of civics and climate change. Connect with Julie Tighe and the NYLCV on social media: @julietighe17 @nylcvConnect with us @uchi_intheloop 

Quantum Quote:  “Take advantage of clean energy incentives today – or pay climate penalties in the near future”.   We have reached the tipping point. Humanity's Greenhouse gas emissions are fueling extreme weather events that are becoming more intense, costly, deadly, and frequent. Did you know that our greenhouse gas emissions are trapping the same amount of energy in our atmosphere as 500,000 nuclear explosions EVERY day, 365 days a year? In 2019, the U.S. saw an average of one $1 Billion extreme weather catastrophe every month. In 2020 – Billion Dollar weather events increased to an average of 2 a month! And in 2021, Ida became the 5th most costly hurricane in US history, causing over $60 Billion of economic impact. In Glasgow, Scotland, virtually every country in the world is participating in the “Conference of the Parties,” or COP. Their mission is to create and enforce goals that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and stabilize our climate. Did you know that in 2019 New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA? Right now, there is $5 Billion of incentives to move everyone to clean electricity, heating, cooling, and transportation. But soon the cash incentives will be followed by changes in building codes and then penalties for not achieving greenhouse gas reduction goals. Starting in 2024 in New York City, any building owner with more than 25,000 square feet of space that does not meet the goals will start paying penalties of ~50c per sqft Per Year – and those penalties will increase. The time is NOW to move to clean energy. Take advantage of the cash and tax incentives today – or pay the price in penalties tomorrow. And - if you want to create MORE real change TODAY – pick up the phone and multiply your climate impact by a factor of 1,000 with #CodeRedClimate & CodeRedCongress.com. Last week, Congress passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to rebuild the nation's deteriorating roads, bridges, and water supplies. This is the largest federal investment into infrastructure projects in more than a decade, touching nearly every facet of the American economy, and includes funding for the modernization of the nation's power grid and broadband. In the Senate, the 69 to 30 vote was uncommonly bipartisan. But in the House – partisan bickering again nearly put self-interest ahead of the national good. Now the Build Back Better bill – which would fund the largest climate action in history and help ensure the very survival of everyone on the planet – is at risk. The best part of the Build Back Better bill in Congress is not only that it creates millions of jobs and a stronger and healthier clean energy economy & environment - But it will be paid for by taking back just part of the $7 Trillion in Tax breaks that the last administration gave their billionaire friends. Today's podcast is being sponsored by the Power of the Earth with Comfort by ClimateMaster. ClimateMaster is a 50-year-old United States manufacturer of Geothermal Heating, Cooling & Hot Water systems. Heating and cooling is responsible for over one-third of our greenhouse gases, and is the majority energy cost in our homes and other buildings. if you are tired of rising energy costs and want to save up to 70% on your energy bills, Go to www.AWESomeEarthKind.com and download one of the FREE special web events that will show you exactly how to get geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home. EarthKind Energy Consulting: https://earthkindenergy.com/ Ron's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronkamen/  New York Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA): https://climate.ny.gov/ Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2):  www.e2.org Build Back Better Bill: https://e2.org/buildbackbetter/ 

When Wes Yeomans speaks, people in the energy industry listen. The Vice President of Operations, Wes has three decades of energy industry experience, including more than 10 years at the NYISO. In this podcast, he tells Kevin Lanahan, Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communications, about how we performed in managing the electric grid last summer, our preparations for the winter ahead, and how we're planning for a zero-emissions grid of the future.This summer saw extreme weather around the nation, with monster fires on the West Coast and unprecedented heat in the Pacific Northwest. Here in New York, tropical storms included one that brought tragic flooding to New York City; but thankfully did not involve significant difficulties in grid operations.Extreme weather from climate change is an increasing factor in grid operations, combined with the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which calls for significant growth of solar and wind. This includes significant offshore wind development taking shape, and the recent announcement by Governor Hochul to expand the NY Sun program to 10 gigawatts of distributed solar resources by 2030. These distributed resources displace the amount of energy that must be supplied by the transmission system that the NYISO operates. As energy production from renewable resources is dependent on weather, our grid operators must be able to predict the output of these resources in order to maintain reliability on the transmission system, he said. “We can be off 10% today,” he said, noting that solar and wind still make up a relatively small amount of grid supply. “If we're off 10% three years from now, that could be a couple of thousands of megawatts. So we have to be very good, and be prepared.”Another significant change Wes discusses is the rise in electric vehicles, and trends to move from oil and natural gas to electric heat in buildings, especially downstate. The combined effects of these change, Wes said, is the likelihood that New York will change from a state that experiences its peak power demand in the summer (primarily a result of air conditioning use) to one which sees peak demand occurring in the winter.For more about how we are addressing a zero-emissions grid with market-based solutions, visit the 2040 Power Grid webpage.   

New York has one of the most aggressive decarbonization plans in the country through its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which sets goals for building several gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, including offshore wind, battery storage and the transmission lines to connect those resources with urban demand centers, particularly New York City. In this edition of the Platts Commodities Focus podcast, Jared Anderson, senior writer with S&P Global Platts, speaks with Sophie Brochu, CEO of Hydro Québec, whose company is active in the transition to cleaner energy sources and has submitted a proposal to transport hydropower from Québec's large network of reservoirs into New York City via a high-voltage direct-current transmission line. Additionally, Kieran Kemmerer, power market analyst with S&P Global Platts Analytics, offers perspective on the outlook for New York's clean energy ambitions and how the state's goals could impact power supply, demand, and pricing dynamics.

New York has one of the most aggressive decarbonization plans in the country through its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which sets goals for building several gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, including offshore wind, battery storage and the transmission lines to connect those resources with urban demand centers. In this edition of the Platts Commodities Focus podcast, Jared Anderson, senior writer with S&P Global Platts, speaks with Clint Plummer, CEO of Rise Light & Power, whose company is retooling one of the oldest fossil fuel-fired power plants in New York City into a renewable energy and storage hub. Plummer, an industry veteran who helped develop the country's first offshore wind project, discusses challenges and potential solutions associated with bringing incremental renewable energy capacity into the physical and electrical island that characterizes New York City.

WRFI Community Radio News 06/04/2021 On today's Show, There's a bill in the New York State Legislature calling for a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining. Environmentalists say mining the digital currency puts New York on a collision course with the goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. We speak with Water Front reporter Peter Mantius. But first, as violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues, ralliers in Ithaca continue voicing support for Palestine.

May 24, 2021 - Assemblyman Steve Englebright, a Long Island Democrat, discusses a recent hearing that examined the state's implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and talks about what steps lawmakers will need to take in the effort to combat climate change.

Biomass-Based Diesel (BBD) has increased its share of the diesel fuel market from 0.5% volume in 2010 to 5.0% in 2018 and is projected to reach 10% by 2022. The widespread acceptance of BBD can be attributed to its broad compatibility with the U.S. transportation fuel infrastructure and positive environmental attributes. We spent time with Dr. Tristan Brown, Associate Professor of Energy Resource Economics at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry to learn more about the role of BBD in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This legislation places the state of New York under a legal obligation to achieve a 100% net reduction of GHG by 2050, economy wide.

On May 1st at 11am in a matter of minutes New York State lost more clean energy than all of it's solar and wind energy fleet combined. This act of climate vandalism occurred in the context of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act which mandates 100% carbon free electricity by 2040 and a massive increase in electrification of the heating and transportation sectors. On the sidelines environmental organizations like the National Resource Defense Counsel chearled the closure. The premeditated shutdown of Indian point led to the building of several large methane gas fired plants to fill in the gap of electricity generation. 1000 intergenerational high paying jobs were lost and the Village of Buchanan will be devastated by the loss of work, taxes and revenue. To add insult to injury as it stands up to 50% of the 15 million dollar community fund set aside by the plant operator may be claimed by River Keeper the NGO that was so instrumental in the premature closure of the plant. The volunteer activists of Nuclear New York worked tirelessly to save Indian Point and put nuclear onto the political and media agenda as a keystone climate solution. They were up against environmental NGO's with budgets of hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite their best efforts the plant has been shuttered, 81% of New York's downstate clean electricity has been lost and marginalized communities will have to endure the burden of the air pollution resulting from increased methane gas generation. Their struggle was not in vain. Many lessons were learned and new strategies and tactics developed which might yet be employed to save furhter nuclear plants at risk of political closures across the USA. I am joined by Dietmar Detering and Isuru Seneviratne for an in depth discussion.

Members of PUSH Buffalo’s PUSH Green and PUSH Clean Heat teams joined New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy for the Earth Day announcement of Let’s Bring it Home, a community-based outreach program to increase access to the benefits of state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Mar. 12, 2021 - New York is trying to hit its ambitious climate goals set out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Some advocates want the state to not settle for alternative sources of energy like natural gas or green hydrogen. We discussed the issue with Raya Salter, Policy Organizer for NY Renews and member of the Climate Action Council.

Emilie Nelson, NYISO's Executive Vice President, has more than two decades of experience in the energy industry. She's also a member of the Power Generation Advisory Panel to the New York State Climate Action Council (CAC).The CAC will produce the scoping plan for a 70% renewable grid by 2030 and zero-emissions by 2040, placing Nelson in an active role for the most aggressive clean energy plan in the nation."It's been called a ‘moonshot' goal," Nelson said, in regard to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. "New York's grid is now around 27% renewable. We need to push that number to 70% in 10 years,"a mission she takes very seriously and is actively engaged.How is our organization partnering with the state to meet these ambitious steps? Through a variety of actions: making changes to our wholesale electricity markets that reward investment in clean energy, for instance, or identifying new transmission needs so more upstate-based green power can be moved downstate, where demand is highest. Finally, we've recently published a guide for the CAC that explains how markets and state policy can work together to reach the renewable and emissions goals."There is no one single thing, no magic, that will provide grid reliability," Nelson said. "The system must function together."

Nov. 19, 2020 - Included in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is a provision that the state government must consider the cost of emissions in their purchases and investments. Conor Bambrick, Director of Climate Policy at Environmental Advocates NY, and Rachel Patterson, Legislative and Climate Associate at Environmental Advocates NY, discussed the policy and new draft guidance from the state's Department of Environmental Conservation.

In this episode of 2 Degrees, we explore the provisions of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) with Bob Cohen of Citizen Action. The CLCPA is a nation-leading piece of climate legislation that was signed into law in July of 2019 and sets ambitious goals to fight climate change in New York State.

What goes into the making of Power Trends, our annual report that tells the story of the electric grid in New York State? And why do you need to read it?In our latest podcast, the NYISO's Ray Stalter and Gary Davidson discuss how Power Trends 2020: The Vision for a Greener Grid, is created to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and others interested in the state of the electric grid in New York, and the forces shaping the grid of the future. Power Trends covers the “need to know” issues associated with meeting our future energy needs in a simple and easy format. “It really does involve the engagement and hard work of pretty much every department within the company,” says Stalter, Director of Regulatory Affairs, who leads the annual publication effort and is one of the primary authors.In this episode, Stalter is joined by co-author Gary Davidson, Regulatory Affairs Principal, to discuss the months it takes to put Power Trends together and its importance to both energy industry stakeholders and the general public. Davidson commented, “it's a labor of love.”Months in the making, Power Trends covers supply and demand trends, the changing resource mix, and the need for investment in transmission.  From the growth of renewable resources to the impact of COVID-19 on power consumption, Power Trends informs and educates on the grid of today and what is being done to enable the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which calls for a carbon-free grid by 2040.Visit the Power Trends 2020 web page: https://bit.ly/2zp87SC

There's a new evolution coming to the energy grid, according to Emilie Nelson, NYISO Executive Vice President, and that makes it a great time to be working in the industry. Nelson described the important role of the NYISO's grid operators and its wholesale energy markets in addressing the recent passing of the state's landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which seeks to grow the amount of clean energy on the energy grid, “The job is getting more complex,” she said. “Our organization is well positioned well to really step up to the task.”