New York State PSC approves increases in energy efficiency, energy storage targets

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved two initiatives to increase New York’s energy efficiency and energy storage targets.

The energy-efficiency target for investor-owned utilities aims to reduce the state’s energy consumption of 185 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) of cumulative annual site energy consumption by 2025, the equivalent of powering 1.8 million homes.

The approval sets the energy storage target for the state at 1,500 megawatts (MW) by 2025 and 3,000 megawatts by 2030.

The targets were first announced as part of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2018 State of the State clean energy agenda.

“As the federal government continues to ignore the real and imminent dangers of climate change, New York is aggressively pursuing clean energy alternatives to protect our environment and conserve resources,” Governor Cuomo said. “These unprecedented energy efficiency and energy storage targets will set a standard for the rest of the nation to follow while supporting and creating jobs in these cutting-edge renewable industries.”

The commission’s order also authorizes a $310 million market acceleration bridge incentive to be administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and directs NYSERDA to file a market acceleration bridge incentive implementation plan. It also directs New York’s six major electric utilities to hold competitive procurements for 350 megawatts of bulk-sited energy storage systems.

“Energy efficiency is one of our most important clean energy resources and one of the smartest investments we can make,” PSC Chair John B. Rhodes said. “Energy storage is the key to unlocking renewables and reducing bottlenecks and costs on the grid. Today’s orders ramp up New York’s commitment and achievement, delivering bill savings for all New Yorkers while driving down carbon emissions.”