NYC Infrastructure Planning Review
In order to achieve public policy objectives, including those set out in the CLCPA, the NYS electric transmission grid and gas infrastructure will need to evolve to allow new resources and technology to come online. NYC presents its own unique challenges. This report highlights concerns around planning and preparedness.
Report on the City Council’s Proposed Carbon Legislation
The NYECC commissioned a report – provided by London Economics International – to delve into the possible outcomes of the City Council Proposed Carbon Legislation. Although the bill has changed since late November 2019, the same potential outcomes are a concern. On December 11th, a coalition from NYECC met in private with Councilman Constantinides, the sponsor of the bill to discuss our concerns and offer to be a resource as the council further revises this bill.
On December 13th, The NYECC organized an event at the REBNY Mendik Education Center, Estimating The Impact of Carbon Legislation on NYC Electricity Costs. The event centered on answering the question:
What is the impact of electrification on operations costs and the environment if electrification is mandated before renewables comprise a substantial portion of grid electricity?
Gabriel Roumy of London Economics provided the keynote address and summary of the report commissioned by the NYECC. There was a panel discussion led by Daniel Egan of Vornado Realty Trust, which featured Phil Skalaski of The Durst Organization, Charlie Copeland of Goldman-Copeland, Jeff Perlman of Bright Power and Carl Hum of Real Estate Board of New York. Other discussions during the event included:
We want to make sure that our positions in favor of energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions are clear.
Understanding the new bill and its implications towards electrification.
We want to drive home the relevance of this report, despite the issuance of the new bill.
The state of the grid today versus future planning.
We want to shed light on the realities of the downstate grid, the transmission bottleneck from upstate to downstate, Indian Point.
How feasible, anyways, is electrification for the building stock you work with?
What does it mean to electrify systems in an existing building? What’s involved, how much does it cost, how long does it take? How do you get additional power from Con Edison?
Winter peak vs summer peaks – what are the implications here for buildings, for the grid, for tariffs?
What’s the message to City Council – what should be changed with this bill to meet the 80 x 50 intent without undue burden on the ratepayer?
Is it a timing issue? Is it an issue with the carbon caps themselves? Is it an issue of shared burdens by all? (Yes, these questions are leading)