Climate Action Council ready to send Scoping Plan to New York Governor

New York State's Climate Action Council has approved and adopted the Scoping Plan that will serve as a framework to achieve the climate targets under the Climate Act enacted in 2019, thus concluding a three-year process.

The plan was greenlit with a 19-3 vote by the Council during a Monday meeting and is now expected to be submitted to the Governor and the State Legislature by January 1, 2023. A draft version released at the end of 2021 drew solid feedback in the form of more than 35,000 written comments, the Council said.

The Scoping Plan includes recommendations on how New York can achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030, 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, a 40% reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030 and an 85% cut by 2050, as well as net-zero emissions statewide by 2050. It calls for critical investments in every sector of New York's economy, the adoption of accelerated energy efficiency and end-use electrification mechanisms, and electric grid infrastructure investments.

When it comes to renewable energies, the plan envisages a scale-up of onshore wind and solar, offshore wind, hydropower, fuel cells using renewable fuels, and energy storage, along with grid modernisation activities.

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