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Related Proceedings and Actions

On August 19, 2020, NYS DEC proposed the addition of 6 NYCRR Part 496, "Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emission Limits" pursuant to Section 75-0107 of the Environmental Conservation Law. The proposed rule adopts limits on the emission of greenhouse gases in 2030 and 2050, as a percentage of 1990 emissions, per the requirements of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. It applies to all emission sources in New York State, but the rule does not itself impose compliance obligations.

Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on October 27, 2020. Written comments must be mailed to: Suzanne Hagell, NYS DEC - Office of Climate Change, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1550, E-mail: [email protected]. Include "Part 496" in the subject line of the email.

A public comment hearing webinar for the proposed rule will be held before Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Molly T. McBride via electronic webinar as follows and, accordingly, is reasonably accessible to persons with impaired mobility:

Date: October 20, 2020
Time: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Location: via electronic webinar

Instructions on how to "join" the hearing webinar and provide an oral statement will be published in NYS DEC's electronic Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), and posted on NYS DEC's events calendar and proposed regulations webpage by Wednesday, October 7, 2020. NYS DEC's ENB may be accessed at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/enb.html. NYS DEC's events calendar may be accessed at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/calendar/. The proposed regulations webpage for Part 496 may be accessed at https://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html.

More information is available here.

On September 16, 2020, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) proposed regulations and siting standards to implement the Accelerated Renewable Energy Generation and Community Benefits Act.

ORES will seek public comment during the initial development of uniform standards and conditions through five public hearings across the state as well as two virtual public hearings, while complying with public health and safety guidelines due to the circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. To find more information on the public hearings, click here

All stakeholders and the public have an opportunity to formally submit comments on the draft regulations until November 16, 2020 and the draft uniform standards and conditions until December 6, 2020.

Climate Action Council Meeting: August 24, 2020 at 2pm. Register here.

On April 24, 2018, the Commission opened this proceeding to consider the role of electric utilities in providing infrastructure and rate designs to accommodate the needs and electricity demands of electric vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment. It will also consider the characteristics of electric vehicle charging stations and how they may facilitate electric vehicle participation as a distributed energy resource. The proceeding's docket is available here.

Most recently, on April 7, 2020, the Commission issued a notice soliciting input from the clean energy industry on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ideas that should be considered to sustain critical workforces.

On April 9, 2020, the State Energy Planning Board adopted an amendment to the 2015 State Energy Plan to comply with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

On April 29, 2020, DEC and NYSERDA released proposed regulations to strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation's first regional program to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. The revised regulations would advance New York's portion of the 30 percent regional cap reduction from 2021 to 2030, ensuring that regional emissions are 65 percent below the starting cap level by 2030, and furthering the CLCPA reduction mandates.

On May 14, 2020, the PSC granted a petition to extend NY-Sun, the State’s distributed solar incentive program. The order directs NYSERDA to file an updated NY-Sun Operating Plan by June 1, 2020.

The PSC's order explains, "New York State has established clean energy goals that are both ambitious and necessary to respond to the challenge of climate change, including to transition to a distributed, dynamic, and carbon-free grid of the future. Meeting those goals will require the implementation of sustained, coordinated, and vigorous programs by all participants in the State’s energy system. . . . [T]he NY-Sun program has been a successful means of achieving New York’s distributed solar goals and should be expanded and extended to match the breadth of those goals."

On May 14, 2020, the PSC issued an order requiring utilities to begin an expedited review of their distribution and local transmission infrastructure to assist in the development of the state's power grid study. The order sets in motion a study that will:

1.Evaluate the local transmission and distribution system of the individual service territories, to understand where capacity “headroom” exists on the existing system;

2.Identify existing constraints or bottlenecks that limit energy deliverability;

3.Consider synergies with traditional Capital Expenditure projects - drivers of synergies could include aging infrastructure, reliability, resilience, market efficiency, and operational flexibility;

4.Identify least cost upgrade projects to increase the capacity of the existing system;

5.Identify potential new or emerging solutions that can accompany or complement traditional upgrades;

6.Identify potential new projects which would increase capacity on the local transmission and distribution system to allow for interconnection of new renewable generation resources; and

7.Identify the possibility of fossil generation retirements and the impacts and potential availability of those interconnection points.

Utilities must submit preliminary results by August, 2020, and submit final results -- including potential distribution and local system upgrades -- by November 1, 2020.

 

On July 2, 2020, within the same proceeding, NYPA proposed a plan to upgrade and expand transmission lines in Northern New York.

On June 18, 2020, theNew York State Department of Public Service (DPS) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) advanced a White Paper, on which stakeholders and members of the public are invited to comment, that introduces an expanded Clean Energy Standard (CES), re-focusing New York’s existing and relevant regulatory and procurement structures on meeting the critical goal of meeting 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and setting the State on a rapid and irreversible path to achieve a carbon free power sector by 2040 in order to align with the goals laid out in New York's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

On July 14, 2020, 15 states including New York, and the District of Columbia, announced a joint memorandum of understanding, committing to work collaboratively to advance and accelerate the market for electric medium-and heavy-duty vehicles, including large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs). The goal is to ensure that 100 percent of all new medium-and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero emission vehicles by 2050 with an interim target of 30 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NSY DEC) is hosting an informational public webinar to discuss the development of a value of carbon guidance for New York State agencies. The webinar will provide the public the opportunity to learn and ask questions.

NYS DEC is required to establish a value of carbon for use by New York State agencies per Article 75 of the Environmental Conservation Law, as amended by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). During this webinar, staff will discuss the requirements for establishing a value of carbon, how a value of carbon is estimated using both a damages and a marginal abatement approach, key considerations, and examples of how a value of carbon may be used by New York State agencies.

Date: Friday, July 24th, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To join the webinar, follow this link: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/onstage/g.php?MTID=e678774efb015559705f3401cb87d46a9
If prompted, the Webex event# is 161 040 2911 and the event password is Carbon2020

recording of the webinar will be available at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/99223.html after the event.

Statewide - The New York State Department of Public Service (NYS DPS), as lead agency, has accepted a Final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The Final SGEIS is available from Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350 (Central Files, 14th Floor) and on line at: http://www.dps.ny.gov; Case No. 15-E-0302.

The action involves analyzing the potential environmental impacts associated with New York State's potential procurement of the incremental renewable resources needed to achieve the targets in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The CLCPA increases the renewable energy targets in the State from 50% to 70% by 2030, increases the offshore wind procurement goal from 2,400 MW by 2030 to 9,000 MW by 2035, and increases the distributed solar goal of 3,000 MW by 2023 to 6,000 MW by 2025. The project is located throughout the State of New York.

Contact: John Garvey, NYS DPS, 90 Church Street, New York, NY 10007, Phone: (212) 417-2200, E-mail: [email protected].

 

Upcoming Meetings

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) 13-member Climate Justice Working Group, established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), will hold its next meeting on November 16, 2020 at 12 p.m. ET. 

Consistent with Executive Orders issued by Governor Cuomo and in keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be conducted by teleconference. Members of the public are welcome to listen to the meeting via webcast.

 

Join the Webinar



Audio Conference: 1-518-549-0500
Audio Access Code: 178 149 4164#

For additional information on the Climate Justice Working Group, please visit the Climate Act website.

Upcoming meetings of the New York State Climate Action Council Advisory Panels and the Just Transition Working Group for the week of November 16, 2020 are below.

In keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meetings will be held via teleconference. To observe a meeting, please use the specific WebEx information below for the respective meeting.

For additional information on the Climate Action Council, please visit the Climate Act website.

Meetings:

Just Transition Working Group
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 1 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

 



Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Panel
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

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Energy-Intensive and Trade-Exposed Industries
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

 

 

 

Energy Efficiency and Housing Advisory Panel
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

 

 

 

Transportation Advisory Panel
Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

View the Meeting

 



Land Use and Local Government Advisory Panel
Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

 



Power Generation Advisory Panel
Friday, November 20, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

Past Meetings

The Single Family and Multi Family Housing subgroups of the Energy Efficiency and Housing Advisory Panel to the Climate Action Council have scheduled Roundtable discussions for November 10th and 12th to seek input and better inform the subgroups as they develop recommendations on how to meet New York's goals of a 40% reduction of CO2e emissions by 2030 and 85% by 2050.

 

The subgroups have invited approximately 20 panelists to each of the Roundtables, which will be open to the public.

 

Tuesday November 10:
Builders, Installers and Designers Roundtable – Single Family Housing: 1:00pm – 2:30pm Event link for attendees: https://nyserdany.webex.com/nyserdany/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef83503e60fd59a0b86ef8f00537bccb2 

Event number: 145 530 8859     Event password: climate 

Audio conference:      +1-415-655-0003   Access code: 145 530 8859 

 

Tuesday November 10:
Builders, Installers and Designers Roundtable MultiFamily Housing: 3:00pm – 4:30pm (1h30) 

Event link for attendees: https://nyserdany.webex.com/nyserdany/onstage/g.php?MTID=eaeb62c8466ab8f87d091d806159b90de 

Event number: 145 760 1715      Event password:    climate 

Audio conference:      +1-415-655-0003  Access code: 145 760 1715 

 

Thursday November 12:
Owners, Landlords, and Managing Agents Roundtable: 1:00pm – 3:30pm (2h30) 

Event link for attendees:  https://nyserdany.webex.com/nyserdany/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0508927dc3e18460323d8376e37d389c 

Event number:  145 452 2116 Event password: climate 

Audio conference:      +1-415-655-0003   Access code: 145 452 2116 

Climate Action Council Advisory Panels & Just Transition Working Group Meetings
Week of November 2, 2020

Upcoming meetings of the New York State Climate Action Council Advisory Panels and the Just Transition Working Group for the week of November 2, 2020 are below.

In keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meetings will be held via teleconference. To observe a meeting, please use the specific WebEx information below for the respective meeting.

For additional information on the Climate Action Council, please visit the Climate Act website.

Meetings:

Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Panel

Monday, November 2, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

View the Meeting


Transportation Advisory Panel

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting



Just Transition Working Group
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

 

Power Generation Advisory Panel
Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. ET.

View the Meeting

Focused Learning and Conversation Opportunities – Friday, October 30, 2020

Registration is open for the Low-Income Forum on Energy (LIFE) 2020 Virtual Event. Though we will miss being together in person, we are looking forward to providing the LIFE network with the same knowledge sharing opportunities that have become synonymous with LIFE events. As part of the virtual event this year, LIFE is offering two supplemental learning opportunities during our live online content.

Register Now

 

Interactive Virtual Poverty Simulation

Date: Friday, October 30, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. ET

United Way Presenters: Michaelle Mugisha and Erica Warner

Put yourself in ALICE’s shoes – an Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed New Yorker. The United Way of the Greater Capital Region will facilitate an interactive virtual poverty simulation exercise that shows how one extra bill, one unexpected cost, or one unforeseen circumstance can lead a household to poverty. The session will include a review of the latest New York State ALICE data. Limited to 30 attendees. Separate registration for this session is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from the United Way of the Greater Capital Region with information about how to join the session. Reserve your virtual seat now.

Attorney Training – Continuing Legal Education

Date: Friday, October 30, 2020

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET

Presenters: Richard Berkley, Public Utility Law Project of New York; Alex Karman, NYS Department of Public Service; Alicia Sullivan, NYS Department of Public Service

The Public Utility Law Project of New York and the New York State Department of Public Service are partnering to provide continuing legal education training as a part of the LIFE 2020 Virtual Event. The training instructs attorneys on the law of "Shared Meter" in New York and the Complaints/Appellate Practice in front of the New York State Public Service Commission.

The training is free to attend with your LIFE 2020 Virtual Event registration. Please note, advance registration for the event is required. Continuing Legal Education accreditation for this session is pending (2 credits). The goals of the training for the attending attorneys are to:

  • Recognize a shared meter situation when it occurs, and to know how to avail their clients of the process and remedies to get the situation corrected and any refunds;
  • Learn the intricacies of the Public Service Commission's two-tier initial complaint process, and to learn how to seek effective appellate relief after unfavorable decisions in the initial complaint process.

Discussion on Envisioning an Equitable Energy Future

Date: Friday, October 30, 2020

NYSERDA Facilitators: Michelle Andry, Pooja Chawda, Lori Clark, Michael DiRamio, Scott Oliver, Scott Smith, Vanessa Ulmer

As part of the LIFE 2020 Virtual Event, we are coming together for information sharing and facilitated discussion on two pivotal topics

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET

Let’s talk about . . . electrification for low- and moderate-income households.

Come help shape the State’s 10-year plan for electrifying buildings and help ensure low- and moderate-income New Yorkers benefit from the policies and investments in a net zero carbon future.

3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. ET

Let’s talk about . . . the future of energy efficiency programs.

As part of the implementation of New York’s far-reaching climate goals, NYSERDA is redesigning single-family energy efficiency programs. We will join together for a brainstorming session about possibilities for Statewide incentives moving forward. Come, let your voice be heard during this crucial planning for our clean energy future.

Register to Join Us

Visit the LIFE 2020 Virtual Event website to view the full preliminary agenda and to register. There is no cost to attend, but registration in advance is required. Register by October 23 to have full access:

  • Live online content on October 27-30, 2020– explore our daily theme with focused presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A conversation
  • On Demand Library – browse a catalog of recorded presentations valuable for staying current on energy issues, program developments, climate policy, and technical trainings
  • Resource Room – access materials and resources that directly impact your work and the services provided to clients
  • Discussion Forums – chat with colleagues about the issues most important to you

Land Use and Local Government Advisory Panel
Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Presentation: 

View the Meeting

Power Generation Advisory Panel

Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. ET.

View the Meeting

Climate Action Council Advisory Panel Meeting
October 21, 2020

The New York State Climate Action Council Transportation Advisory Panel will hold a meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

In keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be held via teleconference. To observe the meeting, please use the WebEx information below.

For additional information on the Climate Action Council, please visit the Climate Act website.

Meeting:

Transportation Advisory Panel 

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Presentation: 

Meeting Notes:

View the Meeting



Event number: 171 912 4708
Password: 4Ths7MVmwr5
Phone number: 1 518-549-0500
Access code: 171 912 4708

Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Panel 
Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

The Energy Efficiency and Housing Advisory Panel of the New York State Climate Action Council will hold a meeting on Friday, October 16, 2020 at 3 p.m. ET.

In keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be held via teleconference. To observe the meeting, please use the WebEx information below.

For additional information on the Climate Action Council, please visit the Climate Act

Presentation: 

Meeting Link: 

New York's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) will require significant changes to our biggest sectors. As the Climate Action Council considers strategies and solutions for achieving these ambitious mandates, NYLCVEF in partnership with Columbia University's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law is convening a series of virtual forums on each sector to unpack some of the biggest challenges. 

October 15th, 10am-12pm 

Zoom Link

Youtube Recording

Climate Action Council

The next meeting of the Climate Action Council will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 2 p.m. ET. 

In keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be held via teleconference. To observe the meeting, please use the WebEx information below. A recording of the meeting will be posted on the Climate Act website within three days of the meeting, or as soon as practicable.

View the meeting



Audio conference: 415-655-0003  
Access code: 145 414 2573

The New York State Climate Action Council Land Use and Local Government Advisory Panel will hold a meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11 a.m. ET.

In keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be held via teleconference. To observe the meeting, please use the WebEx information below.

For additional information on the Climate Action Council, please visit the Climate Act website

Presentation:

Zoom Link: 

Climate Action Council Advisory Panel Meeting
October 5, 2020

The New York State Climate Action Council Energy-Intensive and Trade-Exposed Industries Advisory Panel will hold a meeting on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 1 p.m. ET.

In keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be held via teleconference. To observe the meeting, please use the WebEx information below.

For additional information on the Climate Action Council, please visit the Climate Act website.

Meeting:

Energy-Intensive and Trade Exposed Industries Advisory Panel 

Monday, October 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Presentation: 

Meeting Notes: 

View the Meeting

Meetings:

Housing and Energy Efficiency Advisory Panel 

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting

Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Panel

Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 1 p.m. ET.

Presentation: 

Meeting Notes: 

View the Meeting

Climate Justice Working Group
Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 2 p.m. ET.

View the Meeting


Just Transition Working Group
Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 3 p.m. ET.

Media Advisory for Thursday, October 1: DEC Climate Justice Working Group to Meet

What: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) 13-member Climate Justice Working Group, established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold its second meeting. The Climate Justice Working Group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for the purposes of co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments pursuant to the CLCPA.

Consistent with Executive Orders issued by Governor Cuomo and in keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be conducted by teleconference. Members of the public are welcome to listen to the meeting via webcast.

When: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at 2 p.m. ET

Where: WebEx: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3a3f76a0118b0daa092e8ac74e31df00
Audio: Dial 1-518-549-0500; Access code: 171 265 8298 #

Additional Information:
This meeting will also be recorded and posted on the Climate Act website within three days, or as soon as practicable.