The Business Council of Westchester’s Statement on Governor’s Climate Proposal

Westchester County, NY — The Business Council of Westchester (The BCW), the county’s largest business membership organization focusing on economic development and advocacy, supports the laudable goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). However, the BCW believes that we need to prioritize initiatives that immediately reduce energy costs while making a more systematic transition to a clean energy economy.

The findings released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provide a sobering validation of the Business Council of Westchester’s (BCW) long-standing concerns regarding the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (CLCPA) timeline and costs.

The state’s analysis confirms that the BCW’s Clean Energy Action Coalition initiative is not just timely, but critical to the survival of Westchester County’s economy.

To successfully recruit and retain businesses in Westchester, we must build a power system that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable.

Specifically, the BCW advocates that New York State:

1. Increase education and participation in Peak Demand Reduction programs, which reduced electric demand by 1,000 Megawatts (MWs) this past June, helping avoid blackouts and reducing the need for costly, polluting “peaker plants” that cost New York State consumers billions of dollars. In addition to keeping the lights on and reducing emissions, participating consumers also immediately save on their energy bills, as exemplified by the $100,000 earned by the New Rochelle school district.
2. Speed the adoption of solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS), which can provide local power when and where it’s most needed. New York should recognize that, in both the immediate and long term, the least expensive electric power is from renewable energy sources. Last century’s hydroelectricity is the cheapest source of power in the state because when we build, own, and maintain a renewable energy source, nature provides “the fuel.” The additional benefit is that solar and BESS can be deployed within a few years (vs. a decade or more for other power plants). And they provide resilient back-up local power when extreme weather takes the grid down, saving lives and keeping businesses operating.
3. Recognize that, under any scenario, heavy duty transportation will not be electrified for decades. Rather than “letting the perfect be the enemy of the good,” New York should immediately move to Renewable Diesel (RD), which can be blended into any tank and diesel engine without any infrastructure changes, as it is chemically equivalent to fossil diesel. Seventy-five percent of California’s diesel transportation is now powered by Renewable Diesel, reducing both particulate and carbon emissions by 80% at a cost that is often less than fossil diesel. The additional benefit is that RD can also be used in any oil heating system, creating additional emission and carbon reductions without any infrastructure changes. This is especially important in Westchester, where ~100,000 homes currently heat with oil.

NYSERDA’s memo makes it clear: the original design of the CLCPA threatens to impose additional costs on New York’s families and employers on top of the staggering increases being caused by our deteriorating natural gas infrastructure and volatile fossil fuel prices.

The BCW applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for her pragmatism in recognizing the CLCPA’s current shortcomings. By adopting an all-the-above energy strategy, the Governor is taking the necessary steps to align climate goals with economic reality.

The Clean Energy Action Conference remains committed to working with local and state leaders to refine these policies, ensuring that Westchester remains a premier destination for business through a balanced, common-sense energy transition.

On April 14th, The BCW will hold its annual Clean Energy Action Conference, which will feature numerous energy leaders from across the region and beyond, coming together to share insights, explore innovative solutions, and discuss the future of energy. The goal of the conference will be to continue CEAC’s ongoing efforts to help Westchester County build a reliable, affordable and sustainable power system. (You can register for the BCW’s Clean Energy Conference here.)