States have big hopes for renewable energy. Get ready to pay for it.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Challenges of Transitioning to Renewable Energy in New York

Introduction

New York and other states are facing a difficult balancing act as they try to move more toward renewable energy, but are having to force consumers to pay for the projects. This article explores the challenges and concerns surrounding the transition to renewable energy in New York, with a particular emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Pocketbook Issue: Balancing Climate Change and Affordability

ALBANY, N.Y. — A generational push to tackle climate change in New York is quickly becoming a pocketbook issue headed into 2024. Some upstate New York electric customers are already paying 10 percent of their utility bill to support the state’s effort to move off fossil fuels and into renewable energy. In the coming years, people across the state can expect to give up even bigger chunks of their income to the programs — $48 billion in projects is set to be funded by consumers over the next two decades.

The Political Risks for Democrats

The scenario is creating a headache for New York Democrats grappling with the practical and political risk of the transition. It’s an early sign of the dangers Democrats across the country will face as they press forward with similar policies at the state and federal level. New Jersey, Maryland, and California are also wrestling with the issue and, in some cases, are reconsidering their ambitious plans.

The Importance of Effective Communication

“This is bad politics. This is politics that are going to hurt all New Yorkers,” said state Sen. Mario Mattera, a Long Island Republican who has repeatedly questioned the costs of the state’s climate law and who will pay for it. Democrats, Mattera said, have been unable to explain effectively the costs for the state’s goals. “We need to transition into renewable energy at a certain rate, a certain pace,” he said.

The Benefits of Renewable Energy

Proponents say the switch will ultimately lower energy bills by harnessing the sun and wind, result in significant health benefits and — critically — help stave off the most devastating climate change scenarios. And they hope federal money from the Inflation Reduction Act, celebrating its one-year anniversary, can limit costs to consumers.

New York’s Aggressive Targets and Concerns

New York has statutory mandates calling for 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and a fully “zero emissions” grid by 2040, among the most aggressive targets in the country. The grid needs to be greened, while demand for electricity is expected to more than double by 2050 — the same year when state law requires emissions to be cut by 85 percent from 1990 levels. But some lawmakers in New York, particularly upstate Democrats, and similar moderates across the nation are worried about moving too quickly and sparking a backlash against higher costs.

The Costs and Affordability Concerns

Part of the problem is New York has been unable to meet its previous renewable targets, which DiNapoli’s office in a recent report attributed in part to permitting challenges and inconsistent contracting efforts. New York got about 29 percent of its electricity from renewables in 2022, three-quarters of which came from large hydropower dams in upstate New York. The costs of the state’s renewable energy mandates are being paid for almost solely by New York residents and businesses through their electric bills. With renewable developers asking for higher subsidies to deal with inflation, those costs are expected to increase while expected savings from the transition takes longer to materialize.

Concerns about Affordability and Public Support

“I’m very concerned about the cost and the impact on our ratepayers, our constituents,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat who chairs the chamber’s Energy Committee. “People right now are already complaining about where their utility costs are, so it has to be part of the conversation.” Utility rates are a particularly regressive way to fund the clean energy transition. Wealthy residents pay the same amount for electricity as people struggling to make ends meet.

The Transition Benefits Awaited

Bringing new renewables online will, in the long run, lower costs for electricity and insulate New York residents from the volatility of oil and gas prices, proponents said. Academic research supports his view, with studies of the transition ultimately showing benefits, especially when factoring in the value of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Lowering co-pollutants also has significant health benefits.

Cost Concerns Rampant

Other states are also dealing with similar concerns. In New Jersey, all of the state’s legislative seats are on the ballot this fall, and the expense of moving away from natural gas and building new state-backed offshore wind projects are major campaign issues in some races. Republicans have been hammering Democrats, including Gov. Phil Murphy, on the costs of his clean energy plan.

Alternative Funding Mechanism

Some key Democratic lawmakers are instead pushing for a Superfund-style program to charge large fossil fuel companies for damages caused by historical pollution, pitching it as a way to raise billions without costs being passed to consumers. The Hochul administration, though, has been wary of the potential litigation that could come from it. Lawmakers earlier this year instead approved a rebate program for a third of any revenue raised by the cap-and-trade program, which is still in development.

Conclusion

Transitioning to renewable energy is a critical step in addressing climate change and achieving the SDGs. However, the costs and affordability concerns associated with these transitions pose significant challenges for policymakers. Effective communication, alternative funding mechanisms, and careful consideration of the impact on consumers are essential to ensure a successful and equitable transition to renewable energy.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed in the Article:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
3. SDG 1: No Poverty
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Targets Identified Based on the Article’s Content:

• Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards
• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

• Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age group
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Explanation:

1. The article addresses SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) as it discusses the challenges and costs associated with transitioning to renewable energy and tackling climate change.

2. Based on the article’s content, specific targets that can be identified are Target 7.2 (increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix), Target 13.1 (strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards), Target 1.2 (reducing poverty), and Target 10.2 (reducing inequalities).

3. The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include Indicator 7.2.1 (renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption), Indicator 13.1.1 (number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population), Indicator 1.2.1 (proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age group), and Indicator 10.2.1 (proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities).

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Source: politico.com

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