The New York Power Authority is seeking public comment on a draft plan of their role in expanding the state’s renewable energy portfolio. It is part of the state’s work to meet ambitious climate goals and the expansion of NYPA’s authority was approved in last year’s state budget. The expansion gives NYPA, the largest state public power organization in the nation, the authority to plan and execute renewable projects.

Vennela Yadhati, vice president of renewable project development at NYPA, told Spectrum News 1 the draft plan identifies 40 projects that seek to move the needle.

“This plan outlines what NYPA is capable of doing, the first launch of projects we have identified, the 40 projects you see right here, as well as NYPA’s financial capability,” she said.

The projects include 32 solar and one wind, with the remaining projects comprising of battery storage facilities for a cumulative 3.5 GW of renewable growth.

The plan also provides analysis of labor needs and potential partnership.

“Where exactly do NYPA’s strengths lie, and where should we find partners that complement our skills so we can build these projects and make them happen,” she said.

The focus on union labor garnered the support of Laborers Local 190 Vice President Travis Phillips.

“Laborers Local 190 has over 700 members, covering 12 counties in New York State,” she said. “We commend the New York Power Authority’s continued effort to create these great green union jobs. Many of the largest proposed projects in New York State fall within our jurisdiction. Having prevailing wages, PLAs and apprenticeship language attached to these projects ensure good wages and benefits are paid to real local residents while building these projects.”

Part of the language in the state budget was a requirement of three public hearings. NYPA is having 12 across the state and online.

In Albany, there was praise for NYPA’s efforts and the overall goals of the initiative but also some criticism of the plan as lacking concrete detail about labor needs and local impact. 

Some, like Steve Helmin, president of Stop Energy Sprawl, simply expressed concern about the impact the projects could have on things like local farmland.

“It will hurt our agriculture-based economy, our tourist economy, it will change our character,” he said.

While others criticized the plan for not going far enough in its goal, saying the 3.5 GW of growth is insufficient and the plan provides too much room for attrition.

Keith Schue of New York Energy and Climate Advocates said he is concerned about the continued focus on solar, and to a lesser extent wind, pointing to recent comments from Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYSERDA about the possibility that some goals are in danger.

“We think NYPA is great, however, we are concerned about this plan.” he said. “If we’re going to meet our goals, were going to need a diversity of sources wind and solar can be part of it, but we’re going to need nuclear too, if we have additional wind and solar, we should have additional nuclear.”

Yadhati says though, if you want to see more nuclear and other options included, talk to state officials.

“The expanded authority is specifically focused on renewable energy and storage, and there are certain definitions of what renewable energy qualifies as, and that is what we are looking at it as,” she said.

There are additional hearings to come, including two virtual sessions Thursday, and you can find out more by heading to NYPA’s website, where additional comment will be accepted through Dec. 9.