FROM: Ostroff Associates

DATE: December 21, 2020

RE: Climate Action Council Power Generation Meeting

Chair
• John Rhodes, New York State Department of Public Service

Members
• Corinne DiDomenico, Assistant Director, Large Scale Renewables, New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority
• William Acker, Executive Director, New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium
• Cecilio Aponte, III, Senior Analyst, Origination, sPower
• Elizabeth (Betta) Broad, Outreach Director, New Yorkers for Clean Power
• Rory Christian, President, Concentric Consulting, LLC
• Lisa Dix, Senior New York Representative, Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club
• Annel Hernandez, Associate Director, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance
• Kit Kennedy, Director of Energy & Transportation, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Shyam Mehta, Executive Director, NYSEIA
• Emilie Nelson, Executive Vice President, New York Independent System Operator
• John Reese, Senior Vice President, Eastern Power Generating Company
• Stephan Roundtree, Jr., Northeast Director, Vote Solar
• Jennifer Schneider, International Representative and Legislative and Political Coordinator
for New York, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• Darren Suarez, Manager of Public and Government Affairs, Boralex Inc.
• Laurie Wheelock, Litigation and Policy Counsel, Public Utility Law Project

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Corrine DiDomenico: Major discussion topics raised were carbon pricing, costs, doubts on green
hydrogen regulation, and opportunities for peer review.
Sarah Osgood: Heard from members on concerns over “chasing” issues as a state. Asking how we
can envision a more efficient electric system that balances resource siting with transmission along
the lines of flexible load storage, transition needs, and looking from an upward perspective at the
demand side of the equation. Also, expressed interest in distributed energy opportunities and the
benefits of community-based resources. There are economic issues with this compared to large-
scale renewables. The current energy system does not distribute the environmental and health
impacts evenly. Carbon pricing was brought up as something to bring up with the Council more
broadly. Finally, there were questions raised on the clean energy permitting process and
interconnection process at the NYISO.

Laurie Wheelock: There was conversation on defining “disadvantaged communities.” Worked

collaboratively on the three main topics of barriers, solutions for the future, and resource mix that
we will go over next.
Osgood: A comment was raised on avoiding total dependence on technology solutions, green
hydrogen or renewable natural gas specifically. Warned to avoid investing too much faith in
technology solutions that might cause us to make poor choices in the near-term to preserve options
in the longer-term.

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Emilie Nelson: The Barriers subgroup is focusing on clean energy siting, energy delivery, and
transmission technology buildout. There has been discussion on the limitations of metropolitan
areas. Storage for example has to be integrated in terms of spacing and fire permitting. Also
discussed the importance of allowing renewable resources to access the transmission system
across the state to allow for energy delivery.
Lisa Dix: Scaling storage and hitting the 3-gigawatt target, and the mechanisms the state can use to
assist that goal were also emphasized. Discussed in the last meeting recognizing State policy
barriers for getting to scale. What recommendations can we make to help the State get to a 70%
renewable grid by 2030 (70 by 30). Transmission to the City is another big topic but the question is
how we are transforming the energy system with creative solutions using existing sites. Looking at
peaker plants or gas sites for transition to new uses as they become phased out. Possibly looking at
partnering with Creative RFP Solutions to think about peaking, generation, and RFPs like the South
Fork Project in ways that meet local reliability needs and also scale clean energy.
John Reese: The barriers between operational and undeveloped renewable resources is
considerable. We are out of time if the goal is to get to 70 by 30. The barriers to real infrastructure
are substantial and take time. To double current renewable resources in place over the next nine
years means those projects are currently under development and actually involve near-term
decisions. Many barriers are a product of State processes and getting funding for procurement and
processing in a timely way. Need to focus on money, execution, and getting systems built and
connected to meet the 70 by 30 goal.
Bill Acker: There are two sets of barriers. Near-term barriers to the 70% goals and barriers to
solutions of our long-term carbon free goals. The scalable storage near-term goal is 3 gigawatts
storage as a floor target. Understanding that we will need 15 gigawatts according to studies for
longer-term emissions grids. So, two sets of barriers based on urgency. The team has done a good
job framing this difference.
Nelson: The Solutions for the Future Subgroup is looking at future grid reliability, last-claim
megawatts, encouraging investment, markets for the future, and innovation in delivery. There is
acknowledgment of the necessary longer-term developments in the market to encourage system-
wide developments versus the near-term action items that are underway. Discussed the
appropriateness of having carbon pricing in the wholesale markets or having a broader mechanism

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to reflect carbon at an economy-wide basis. Also, whether the current regional greenhouse gas
initiative could cover the electric sector. Discussed the regulatory framework and considering
additional technologies to handle the bulk and distribution of the system. Research is needed for a
dispatchable zero-emission resource initiative over the long-term. Our recommendations should
include the needs demonstrated by the studies. Long-term look at equity of new technology, grid-
reliability, and research in more niche topics for innovation. Need to drive technical solutions like
long-duration storage. Discussed the markets working with the efforts of NYSERDA to drive these
solutions going forward.
Nelson: The Resource Mix Subgroup identified electrification of buildings, natural gas, downstate
peakers, regional connections, transition, conservation, local DER, and storage as major topics. A
long list of considerations, but identified three main overarching themes: The development of
renewables including scaling and spacing, the development of new or enabling technologies like
long-duration storage and demand-side management, and the transition of fossil fuels from the gas
and power generation base. Focused on peakers and the definition of peakers going forward as the
system overall transitions away from fossil-based resources.

Wheelock: Equity recommendation to the Climate Action Council will focus on three main topics of
community impact, affordability and access for all, and workforce development.

Reese: Curious about the objective criteria for siting law? The state has objective criteria for
defining environmental communities based on comparative analysis of zip codes as a baseline. Does
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renewable siting law have the same State baselines for analysis? Is looking at that analysis part of
the discussion for making guidelines?
Betta Broad: Haven’t looked deeply into issues concerning new siting rules. The Climate Justice
Working Group is working on defining “environmental justice” and “disadvantaged communities”
and we are waiting for that.
Wheelock: Definitions are something we have to be organized on so we can implement that into our
work. Important to communicate across working groups to coordinate on the issues.

Wheelock: Access and affordability are especially important during the pandemic. Equity must
include good paying jobs and both recognizing and avoiding disproportionate energy burdens on
certain communities. Looking for costs that might trickle down to low and moderate-income
communities in the process of transitioning the existing grid with all energy developments. Current
programs in place like Solar For All and the Home Energy Assistance Program are important but
not well-known. There is limited availability so we are looking at expanding awareness for those

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struggling to make payments. Incentives for LMI Energy Efficiency goes with that effort to have an
affordable package available for customers as we move toward electrification.
Annel Hernandez: Important to highlight that the definition of “disadvantaged communities”
includes those with disproportionately high energy burdens. The programs designed to reach these
communities through the 35% mandate have to be highly intentional. The programs don’t always
penetrate those we are trying to reach. This passed Summer in response to COVID and the ongoing
energy burdens, for example, there was an expansion of HEAP for cooling assistance. Extreme heat
is an issue in New York City. The expansion of that program was important for many of those
struggling to make ends meet.
Darren Suarez: Is there any discussion on the definition of “small business”? The Small Business
Association defines them as “those under 500 employees,” which might be different from what
most think in that regard. Small businesses have a wide range of distinct issues and needs. Also
wondering of any consideration for targeting micro-businesses that might fall outside that SBA
definition of small businesses?
Wheelock: Not part of discussion currently but can bring that up for future discussion.
Cecilio Aponte: Is any work being done on how the energy burden will be changing over the next 20
years and are there recommendations for that? We are thinking about a lot of different
interventions across the groups and it is difficult to map a recommendation to an individual’s utility
bill at the end of the day.
Wheelock: The Dept. of Public Service and NYSERDA have made strong efforts with the Governor’s
Office on energy burdens over the last six years. The DPS has 14-M-0565, which is their low income
proceeding. That is where they helped identify customers that shouldn’t have over a 6% energy
burden. That is in place as something we are monitoring in terms of policies to help people prepare
for what’s happening in the future.

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Jennifer Schneider: Focused on ensuring Just Transition for communities impacted by the renewable
energy sector. Working with the Just Transition Working Group on this front. Also looking at
investing into workforce development in disadvantaged communities. Working on providing
opportunities and education throughout the State. Engagement and workforce development are
focused specifically on providing long-term careers for New York residents.
Broad: Some discussion on having positive clean energy careers pathways. Looking at a robust
program of K-University would bring more people into the clean energy workforce from
disadvantaged communities. Important to collaborate with existing workforce development
programs like BOCES and Unions for apprenticeships. Underscored coordination and development
with City-based programs like Green City Force and WeAct. These are great programs and we want
to make sure there are also programs available in rural areas and throughout the State that don’t
have that same level of access.

Hernandez: Important to localize the workforce benefits of our large-scale renewable project work.
Stressing to build industries that are inclusive of environmental justice communities that have been
historically left out of this industry.
James Schillitto: The Union apprenticeship programs and school development with BOCES are good
for planning for the future, but also need to engage the current power producers about the
workforce they currently have and how we can include them in the future of renewables. Many
power producers throughout the State represent the major job sources in their communities. How
are we going to keep those companies in business as we develop for the future and train those
workers to sustain the industry? Great to look forward but the current workforce in place can’t be
left out for this transition to work.
Broad: The Just Transition Working Group is very focused on this issue. We aren’t talking as much
currently about workforce development though which is why we want to focus more on that piece
along with current workforce concerns.
Suarez: Transition has to involve keeping people aware of the available opportunities. In terms of
providing long-term pathways the P-TECH Program created by IBM has now expanded across the
State to guide industry-related workforce development. The Education Department has done an
excellent job with schools on the 2+2 Program where students get direct experience and an
opportunity to enter the field. Focus on STEM learning in P-TECH for communities that aren’t often
encouraged to follow those routes. Includes opportunities for clean energy as well as things like
agriculture, so something to look at as we transition to more solar land use.

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Broad: P-TECH is a great program. High school programs like BOCES don’t focus enough on clean
energy career pathways and investing in modern technology and trainers. Not much training for
heat pump installations that we need for example. Looking holistically at these programs with
investing throughout the State for these robust programs in clean energy training for students.
Perhaps we could bring in someone involved with P-TECH, BOCES, or a SUNY Clean Energy
Program to learn more about the gaps and opportunities for creating a more streamlined process
for individuals to plug into those programs.
Aponte: How are we thinking about framing the need for broad involvement across the State in
submitting our recommendations? Other groups are discussing this but in the context of this group
it is interesting because it is outside of the energy scope.
Schneider: We have discussed organizations to potentially get involved with, but not how to get
involved with them specifically. Certain topics like equity are broad but specificity is important.

Osgood: For meeting on January 11th we are looking for topics worth additional discussion as we
have with equity. There has been discussion for the opportunity to work with the Mixed Resource
subgroup on issues like the just transition and mitigating high-emissions resources.
Nelson: Gas transition is a topic of interest. Would be helpful in next panel to discuss as a group
what we are working towards as far as deliverables for recommendations. Challenging to grasp if
we are looking for broad comparisons or if the CAC is looking for a more detailed roadmap for a
given area.
Broad: Should prioritize addressing more short-term goals in the CLCPA like those for distributive
generation by 2025. Also, could use inter-panel meetings to discuss topics of interest like gas

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distribution to identify key cross-sector transition issues. Another inter-panel idea is to have a
discussion on the workforce aspect with members of all other panels invited to share ideas and
recommendations for the Council.
Acker: I support the proposal for the resource-mix in the January meeting. Clearly, we need
discussions with the Solutions Working Group and the Barriers Working Group to hone those
equity areas. Challenging because it’s such a huge topic with different short and long-term goals.
Would be helpful in the January meeting to also lay out the next few meetings as well to focus our
priorities before the March deadline.
Broad: We have a participant, Irene Wiser, in the chat highlighting the memo sent on concerns
regarding the meter generation potentially being done with fossil fuels. That could be a potential
loophole in the CLCPA. Something to monitor in relation to the data center issues that we should
also discuss.
Dix: Should also include barriers as part of our discussion with resource mix. Also looking at
barriers when talking about deploying resources to meet our 75 by 30 goals. Getting clear on
deliverables would be helpful but adding the barriers conversation along with the resource mix in
the conversation would help us work some of those issues out.
Stephan Roundtree: Vote Solar has been collaborating on a report with Vibrant Clean Energy to
analyze the lowest cost 100% renewable grid looks like. Created a national iteration of the report
that I can share. Also has a New York-specific piece on building that uses the parameters set by
CLCPA. That piece can provide some picture of the lowest-cost 100% renewable grid.

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