ALBANY — A coalition of unions, business groups and power plant operators are calling for caution in enacting the state’s ambitious plan to reduce carbon in energy production and other phases of the economy.
They worry that moving too quickly from traditional power sources like natural gas to alternatives such as wind or solar power could put the state in an energy bind in the next few years.
“All options should be on the table for discussion. The Climate Action Council is responsible for the complicated task of creating a draft Scoping Plan, but the current version could have a serious negative impact on all New Yorkers,” said Gavin Donohue, president and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of NY.
Donohue was referring to the state’s Climate Action Council, of which he is a member, which is developing a Draft Scoping Plan, or road map, for reducing greenhouse gases in coming years. The goal, according to the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, is to have a carbon-free economy in New York by 2040.
Council members have been discussing sharp curtailments – and even elimination of natural gas – in functions such as heating homes and fueling power plants.
But some members of this coalition on the council, including those representing organized labor and the state Business Council, say they worry that some of those plans could lead to energy shortfalls or unsustainable price hikes.
“As we move toward a 100 percent zero-emission electric generation fleet and net-zero carbon economy, we also need to maintain a reliable energy system, be open and honest about the cost and benefits of compliance options, and keep all reasonable options on the table,” said Heather Briccetti Mulligan, president and CEO of the Business Council.
The group, which also includes Mario Cilento, president of the AFL-CIO and Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, said they are promoting “seven principals” that their Climate Council should consider going forward.
Those include maintenance of a reliable, and resilient energy infrastructure; communication about how energy consumers will be impacted by the changes; creation and retention of well-paying union jobs; use market power to reduce carbon reducing emissions from all sectors, including transportation and heating; maintaining an energy infrastructure, and supporting fuel diversity.
The principals speak to some of the disputes that have emerged on the 22-member Climate Action Council.
Some …….