NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Draft State Energy Plan Released For Public Comment And Public Hearing Schedule Announced

The State Energy Planning Board, chaired by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris, voted unanimously today to release a Draft State Energy Plan for public comment. The Draft State Energy Plan provides a 15-year outlook through 2040 to guide energy direction with recommendations for meeting future energy demands that prioritize an energy system that is reliable, clean, and affordable while supporting economic development, equity and a healthy environment. New Yorkers have the opportunity to review the Draft State Energy Plan and provide their input by submitting written comments through October 6, as well as consider attending and offering oral comments at one of the virtual or in-person public hearings scheduled across the state in August and September.

State Energy Planning Board Chair and NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "With the release of the Draft State Energy Plan we are proactively planning for the energy needs of the future with a clear-eyed and comprehensive assessment of the current energy systems alongside projected energy demands and infrastructure needs. Adaptability and resource diversity are key to ensuring New York's energy abundance and affordability, which are reflected in the recommended actions contained in the Draft State Energy Plan that we are pleased to share for public review and feedback."

The Draft State Energy Plan highlights the significant progress New York has made toward a clean energy economy, such as investing in energy efficient technologies that are saving New Yorkers money, installing over six gigawatts of distributed solar, completing South Fork Wind, and breaking ground on the Champlain Hudson Power Express, Empire Wind 1, and Sunrise Wind projects. Governor Kathy Hochul also took additional actions in support of zero-emission energy by directing the New York Power Authority to develop and construct at least one GW of advanced nuclear energy generation - the first new nuclear power facility constructed in New York State in decades, and by establishing the $1 billion Sustainable Future Program - the largest single State Budget commitment to climate and clean energy in New York's history.

Key findings of the Draft State Energy Plan include:

• New York State is prepared to meet forecasted growth in electricity demand while maintaining system reliability and making progress toward a zero-emission grid, as demonstrated in analysis conducted for the Draft State Energy Plan.
• The reliability, affordability, and safety of the State's energy system are critical. In order to meet peak demand needs and ensure system resilience, New York State will continue making strategic investments throughout the planning period, and all major fuels used today will continue to contribute to the state's energy mix.
• To ensure that energy systems can reliably meet demand at reasonable cost, New York State agencies, system operators, and stakeholders will pursue planning and strategies that remain adaptable across a range of potential futures.
• Shifting priorities at the federal level are anticipated to impact long-term planning, investment decisions, and possibly the pace of transition to clean energy. This, however, does not change New York's commitment to continued clean energy growth, and through this draft State Energy Plan, New York continues to show that clean, abundant and resilient energy, economic growth and public health and safety all work together to benefit New Yorkers. 

Recommendations within the Draft State Energy Plan include actions to:

• deliver abundant, reliable, resilient, and clean energy through a diverse mix of resources and supply infrastructure, while supporting energy efficiency and load flexibility;
• plan for and pursue strategic investments to upgrade the State's aging energy system infrastructure;
• provide affordable energy across combined household energy and transportation fuel expenses, and lessen the energy burden for lower-income households;
• provide equitable clean energy benefits by reducing the upfront costs of energy efficiency and clean energy choices for households, businesses, and in the transportation sector;
• ensure all communities, especially disadvantaged communities, benefit from the energy transition by tailoring programs to their needs, designing inclusive engagement, and building local government capacity;
• promote economic development by meeting the needs of large energy users and attracting new industry, including clean energy leaders;
• support workforce development to take advantage of the substantial employment opportunities offered by the energy transition; and
• advance energy innovation that fosters economic development and brings new technologies to market that will help enable New York's energy transition.

Public Comment Process and Public Hearings Schedule

The release of the Draft State Energy Plan kicks off a comment period through October 6. New Yorkers are encouraged to comment here .

Comments can also be emailed to nysenergyplan@nyserda.ny.gov or mailed to:

State Energy Plan Comments
NYSERDA
17 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 12203-6399

Public input received in response to the issuance of the Draft State Energy Plan will be used by the State Energy Planning Board to develop the Final State Energy Plan, which is anticipated to be published by the end of the year.

The State Energy Planning Board is also hosting seven in-person and two virtual hearings to receive feedback on the Draft State Energy Plan. Members of the public who wish to provide oral comments can do so at these public hearings. Comments received during the public hearings and written submissions made during the comment period will be given equal weight and consideration.

Click here for the public hearing schedule and more details on locations for each will be shared in the coming weeks.

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required for all hearings. Those who pre-register to provide oral comments will be given priority. In-person hearings will be webcast (for viewing purposes only), professionally recorded, and transcribed as part of the official record. Virtual hearings will also be professionally recorded and transcribed as part of the official record. All written and oral comments will be posted on the State Energy Plan website when the State Energy Planning Board considers the final State Energy Plan.

Please note that for in-person hearings that begin at 11:00 a.m., doors will open at 10:00 a.m. for check-in. For in-person hearings that begin at 5:00 p.m., doors will open at 4:00 p.m. for check-in. Virtual hearings start at the times listed above.

More details about the public hearings, including how to give public comment and to pre-register to provide comments, can be found here .

New York State Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, "We very much look forward to the public review and comment on the Draft State Energy Plan that maps out New York's energy needs for the future. The focus on adaptability and resource diversity will ensure New York's energy abundance and affordability, which I believe will be strongly supported by the public."

State University of New York Chancellor John B. King said, "SUNY is proud to play a key role in Governor Hochul's ambitious efforts to achieve a more sustainable New York by educating students to succeed in clean energy fields, by lessening our carbon footprint, and by undertaking research to create innovative clean energy generation and storage solutions. Our university system operates 40 percent of New York's state-owned buildings, and I am confident that the State Energy Plan will support our mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. I encourage members of the public and scientific community to provide feedback on this plan and help us create a greener New York for all."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "Statewide energy planning is critical to help ensure New York will affordably and reliably meet future demands at reasonable costs, while still focusing on the transition to renewables, reducing harmful emissions, and decreasing climate impacts, particularly those affecting disadvantaged communities across New York State. The Draft State Energy Plan highlights the significant work accomplished to date, encourages public and stakeholder input, and outlines next steps and long-term outlooks that will advance energy innovation and economic development during New York's clean energy transition."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Continuing to grow our state's clean energy economy is not only necessary for protecting our natural resources, but it also creates exciting career opportunities for New Yorkers. By planning the direction of the state's energy transition over the next 15 years, the Draft State Energy Plan helps ensure that the Department of Labor is aligning workforce development programs to support the green jobs of the future and reinforce New York State's leadership in sustainable energy."

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in advancing a resilient, reliable, and clean energy system and economy in New York State; it's a public health imperative. The Draft State Energy Plan lays a strong foundation for healthier communities by reducing harmful emissions, improving air quality, and ensuring that all New Yorkers, especially those in disadvantaged areas, benefit from a cleaner, safer energy future."

New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, "The way we plan and develop our communities has a tremendous influence on energy use, reliability, resiliency and affordability. I am proud that DOS community planning and development, codes, consumer protection and local government programs contributed to this comprehensive Draft State Energy Plan, which sets a pragmatic course for New York's energy future that uplifts Governor Hochul's goals for housing, economic development, public health and affordability."

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Providing New Yorkers with a safe, accessible, reliable and sustainable transportation system that meets the demands of the 21st century requires that we all work together to plan and facilitate our transition to a clean energy future. The release of the Draft State Energy Plan is a critical step in this process that will help us prepare and ultimately achieve New York States goals for a reliable and affordable energy future."

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "Agriculture has long been at the table as an important component of the State's energy conservation efforts and ambitious clean energy agenda. The Draft New York State Energy Plan supports smart on-farm upgrades that will allow farmers to not only reduce energy use but also to contribute to energy production, particularly with the implementation of conservation management best practices. I applaud the State Energy Planning Board for drafting a comprehensive blueprint to guide New York State and the agricultural industry in its energy goals now and for the future."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York State continues to plan and build for the future by investing in projects and industries that promote sustainable economic growth. As energy demands shift, the state needs to examine how to best meet those needs in ways that address multiple factors, including affordability, reliability and sustainability. The Draft State Energy Plan provides a look at the state's efforts and recommendations, and invites feedback from businesses and industries all throughout the state."

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "With extreme heat becoming more prevalent, making sure New York is ready for increased energy demand is important for keeping our communities safe. Preparedness is key when looking toward the future and the Draft State Energy Plan is vital to ensure we are on track to meet those needs."

Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "This public comment period for the Draft Energy Plan is crucial to the process of determining how to meet New York State's energy needs. As the only elected official on the State Energy Planning Board, I have made it my priority to be a voice for constituents, focusing on reliability and affordability for ratepayers. I look forward to the engagement and welcome feedback from communities and stakeholders in all corners of the State."

NYISO President and CEO Rich Dewey said, "This State Energy Plan comes at a critical time for reliability of the electric system. The NYISO was pleased to provide our data-based planning material that helped form conclusions, strategies, and policy recommendations in the plan. As we continue to observe a mismatch between retiring generation and increased electric demand, the choices we make today will impact New Yorkers, our economy and the grid for many years to come. Reliably meeting that projected future demand, while balancing economic development, climate change, and environmental quality, is the challenge before us. The NYISO is proud to have played a role in helping inform this roadmap for our state's electric system."

The State Energy Plan update process was announced in August 2024 and the State Energy Planning Board , comprised of the heads of State agencies and authorities, appointees from the Governor, Senate, and Assembly, and the president of the New York Independent System Operator, commenced its work in September 2024 to assess and compile data to inform the Draft State Energy Plan now available for review. The Draft State Energy Plan reflects the directions set forth in the scope of work for the Plan that was informed by public comment and approved by the Board on March 3, 2025.

More information on the State Energy Plan and planning process can be found on the State Energy Plan website .

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.