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Could Thermal Energy Be New York’s Best Shot at Reaching its Climate Goals?
Clean energy companies suffered a blow last month when New York State’s Public Service Commission (PSC) refused a request to help renewable energy developers fund projects that have become increasingly expensive thanks to inflation. The ordeal put into question New York’s ability to transition away from polluting fossil fuels and meet the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050, as stipulated by the state’s climate law.
But environmental advocates say there is still hope in a lesser-known infrastructure solution called thermal energy networks, which can significantly reduce a building’s carbon footprint. This is particularly important in New York City, where over 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings.
“It’s a little bit like electric cars where it’s more expensive upfront, but then it’s much less expensive to own and run,” said Heather Deese, director of policy and regulatory affairs at the thermal energy company Dandelion Energy.
Read the story.
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To Cut Truck Traffic, NYC Looks to its Waterways
City officials are reaching out to the private sector to help shift some of the delivery of commercial goods away from New York City’s busy streets and onto its waterways.
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