In a report released this week on New York’s Clean Energy Fund, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the state has made good progress on reaching distributed solar capacity and leveraged funds, but crucial energy efficiency programs have “underperformed.”
Administered by NYSERDA and authorized by the Public Service Commission, the CEF is funded through surcharges on customers’ utility bills.
The report says ratepayers are expected to contribute nearly $7.5 billion from 2016-2032, and DiNapoli says it is crucial for the state’s climate goals that the funds be used effectively.
The report breaks down performance levels for different energy efficiency programs, and states NYSERDA has made the most progress on reaching goals for distributed solar goal capacity.
It states that through 2023, NYSERDA has reported that its implementation of these programs has achieved 45% of its 2025 goal for total efficiency savings; 46% of its 2025 natural gas efficiency goals; and 33% of electric efficiency goals. Distributed solar has achieved 89.1% of its goals and attracted $20 billion in private investment.
While different programs carry different weight when it comes to the state’s lofty energy goals, experts in the solar industry point to the result as evidence that the state should be amping up its focus on solar.
“Rooftop and Community Solar really is the bright spot in our transition,” he said. “Rooftop and Community Solar is getting deployed ahead of schedule and under budget, it's leveraging a massive amount of private capital coming into our state, helping us to reach our clean energy goals.”
Republican State Sen. Mario Mattera, ranking member on the Energy and Telecommunications Committee, praised the report for, as he put it, shining a spotlight on the state lagging when it comes to meeting benchmarks.
He argued that New York is relying too heavily on electrification in moving toward renewable energy, and discouraged any move that would fully remove natural gas from the state’s energy portfolio.
“We need to have other sources of renewable energy moving forward,” he said. “I care about the environment, I really do, but to go ban on natural gas is one of the worst things that could happen to New York state and all residents.”
NYSERDA told Spectrum News 1 that they are reviewing the report in detail.
“We continuously seek input to help us refine our procurements and supply chain and economic growth strategies in our commitment to successful implementation of the CEF program and progress advancing the State's Climate Act goals,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
They also pointed to further progress when it comes to solar power and other renewable energy initiatives.
“Through our nation-leading NY Sun program, New York State has installed over one gigawatt of solar and is the top community solar market in the nation for the second year in a row. Electric vehicle sales are now over 10% of all car sales in New York State,” the statement read. “There is significant increase in heat pump installations across the state, with a 23% increase in installations from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, New York State is leveraging and maximizing federal opportunities to advance clean energy technologies and decarbonize and electrify buildings, including those provided by the historic federal Inflation Reduction Act which has proved complementary to our priority to deliver affordable clean energy, healthier places to live and work, and expanded opportunity for all New Yorkers.”