LSE Obligation Deadlines Approaching
In August 2016, the Public Service Commission (“Commission”) issued the Clean Energy Standard Order to set the framework for accomplishing two goals: achieving 50 percent renewable generation by 2030 and preserving the economic viability of three zero-emissions nuclear power plants as a bridge to the clean energy future. To meet the first goal, the Commission directed each Load Serving Entity (“LSE”) to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (“RECs”) from new renewable sources built after January 1, 2015. LSE’s are required to meet their obligations in one of three ways: (1) by purchasing RECs from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”), (2) purchasing RECs from other eligible sources, or (3) making Alternative Compliance Payments (“ACPs”) to NYSERDA. Continue Reading New York Public Service Commission Clarifies REC and ZEC Obligations
The New York Department of Public Service Staff released a complex 
While Americans witnessed three straight presidential debates with little meaningful discussion about climate change, the rest of the world has been busy chipping away at climate change issues one at a time. In fact, just in the last month we saw four major developments: (1) Canada implemented a carbon tax; (2) the Paris climate agreement officially went into effect; (3) the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (“CORSIA”) was signed by 191 countries requiring airline operators to purchase carbon offsets; and (4) 197 countries agreed to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (“HFCs”), an extremely potent greenhouse gas used in air conditioners. 
The debate over the future of net metering and the proper valuation of distributed energy resources has reached Congress. In the wake of a 
This week New York Governor Andrew Cuomo released a number of policy proposals aimed at New York’s clean energy sector in conjunction with his annual State of the State address. Fundamentally, the Governor proposes that New York “become an international capital for clean and green energy products.” Consistent with the State’s clean energy policies, the Governor announced a plan to close or repower New York’s last two operating coal-fired power plants by 2020. 
Earlier this month, the Obama administration released its final Clean Power Plan (“Plan”), a comprehensive set of rules and standards geared toward decreasing carbon emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants and combatting global warming. The Clean Power Plan focuses on the nation’s largest carbon emitter, the electricity sector, which in 2013 accounted for an estimated 31% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has expressed strong support for the Plan, stating, “The President’s Clean Power Plan is a visionary step forward for our nation, and it provides a robust and equitable approach to reducing America’s carbon pollution. Here in New York, we have embraced the challenge of climate change with a commitment to cut harmful carbon pollution by 40 percent by 2030, and I look forward to working alongside our partners in the federal government to bring about a cleaner, safer future for all.” New York must submit a strategy to implement the Clean Power Plan to EPA by September 16, 2016.