Clean Energy Standard

Progress To Date

Combined with the existing baseline of renewable facilities in New York, the current pipeline of renewables already under contract and in development projects will power 66% of New York's electricity once operational. 

New York’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) is designed to fight climate change, reduce harmful air pollution, and ensure a diverse and reliable low carbon energy supply. The expansion of the CES so that 70% of New York's electricity comes from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind by 2030 was codified under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) . By focusing on low carbon energy sources, the CES will bring investment, economic development, and jobs to New York State.

• Investment in New York’s renewable energy transition can be seen through more than $29 billion in public and private investment which includes nearly 100 onshore solar, wind and hydro, and offshore wind projects; as well as investments in transmission as part of constructing New York's Green Energy Transmission Superhighway.

• The renewable energy infrastructure created by these investments (in-service, contracted, and to-be contracted) will provide the following benefits to New Yorkers:
• More than 40 million megawatt hours of clean energy annually
• More than 25% of the electricity expected to be consumed in New York State in 2030
• Eliminating over 20 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year

• In addition to renewable energy, New York is laser focused on driving down energy demand through investment in energy efficiency. Through NYSERDA and utility programs, over $6.8 billion is being invested to decarbonize buildings across the State. By improving energy efficiency in buildings and including onsite storage, renewables, and electric vehicle charging equipment, the State will reduce carbon pollution and achieve the ambitious target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs by 2025, the equivalent of powering 1.8 million homes.

Turning Targets into Reality

The CES creates two mechanisms to turn New York State’s ambitious clean energy goal into a reality. Together the renewable energy standard (RES)The Renewable Energy Standard (RES) –
A part of the Clean Energy Standard. The RES has three parts: Tier 1 obligation for utilities and other LSEs; Tier 2 obligation for older generators in financial risk; and a third, new program focused on offshore wind resources. and the zero-emissions credit (ZEC) requirement Zero Emissions Credit (ZEC) –
A credit for generating one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity with zero-emissions (no carbon) attributes that is consumed by a retail customer in New York State. will help create a low carbon energy system.

• The RES requires every load serving entity (LSE)Load Serving Entity (LSE) –
  These are often called utilities or electric companies, but LSEs include any entity or organization: utilities, municipal electric systems and electric cooperatives, authorized or required to supply energy or energy-related services to retail customers. in New York State to procure renewable energy certificates(RECs)Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) –
  A certificate that is proof that one MWh of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource. associated with new renewable energy resources—known as Tier 1—for their retail customers. If LSEs cannot demonstrate they are meeting the Tier 1 obligation through the possession of RECs, they may make alternative compliance payments (ACPs).
• The ZEC requirement mandates the LSEs procure ZECs from NYSERDA. The number of ZECs is based on each LSE’s proportionate amount of statewide load, or energy demanded, in a given compliance year.

In addition to these programs, NYSERDA is also advancing offshore wind energy projects through its Offshore Wind Program. NYSERDA also works with its State partners and local communities to rapidly advance new “Build-Ready” projects, prioritizing the development of existing or abandoned commercial sites, brownfields, landfills, former industrial sites, and other abandoned or underutilized sites.

The New York Generation Attribute Tracking System (NYGATS) will record and track information on electricity generated, imported, and consumed within New York State. Additionally, NYGATS will demonstrate LSE compliance with, and progress toward, the CES goal.

LSEs that elect to purchase RECs or that are required to purchase ZECs from NYSERDA can find additional information in REC and ZEC Purchasers.