The New York Power Authority’s effort to gather public comments on potential renewable energy projects got underway at the Niagara Power Vista on Thursday.

Two sessions were held, one in the morning and one in the evening. The draft Renewables Strategic Plan was released on Oct. 8, coming as part of the Build Public Renewables Act which authorizes NYPA to build out such projects.

Through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act from July 2019, New York State set a goal of having 70% of its energy by 2030 coming from renewables and then becoming zero-emission by 2040. Other laws require NYPA to end its fossil fuel emissions by shutting down its natural gas power plants by 2030.

“It represents a significant increase in our role in the energy sector,” said Vennela Yadhati, the vice president of Renewable Project Development for NYPA, “bringing this platform’s roots in revolutionizing the state’s grid to benefit all of New Yorkers.”

The draft plan includes 40 new renewable energy projects across the state that would total 3.5 GWM of new capacity. Of those, sites in Western New York include:

• A 4.96 MW solar farm in Niagara County developed through NYPA with an estimated completion of the fourth quarter of 2027.

• A 1 MW solar farm in Erie County through NYPA with an estimated completion of the fourth quarter of 2027.

• A 270 MW solar farm in Chautauqua County developed with Connect Gen and Repsol with an estimated completion of the first quarter of 2027.

• A 339 MW solar farm in Cattaraugus County developed with Forward Power with an estimated completion of the first quarter of 2025.

NYPA will also start its REACH program, which received Public Service Commission approval this past October. A portion of revenues generated by these projects will go toward bill credits for users in disadvantaged communities. As well as $25 million invested into workforce training annually focusing on the green energy industry.

The state also requires NYPA to publish these strategic plans on a biannual basis.

One common criticism was the timeline for closing the natural gas stations and their impact on the grid. The combined 13 such plants mainly in the New York City area produce a combined 6,104.9 GWh.

Josh Veronica of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership encouraged NYPA to forgo the decommissioning until New York has brought enough renewable or emission-free energy to the grid to replace the load served by those plants.

Other criticisms took issues with actually meeting mandated climate goals. Public Power NY and NY Renews have called for at least 15 GW to be built in order to meet that 2030 goal. The state’s own estimations had these projects only reaching 44% renewable energy generation.

“The 3.5 GW this draft plan proposes, on top of private renewable sources, comes nowhere close to what we need for that goal,” said Allen Blair of NY Renews, also arguing that shutting down natural gas plants would improve the health of nearby neighborhoods.

Yadhati said her team has been looking for new project opportunities since the draft plan was first published.

“You might see more even between now and the final draft plan,” Yadhati said.

There will be four other public hearings taking place throughout November in Binghamton, Albany, New York City, and Long Island, with a virtual meeting on Nov. 21. A final draft plan is expected to be approved by Jan. 31.