The New York Citizens Budget Commission has released a report regarding the state's ability to meet its ambitious GHG reduction targets. It's sobering reading. The CBC states that it is "uncertain" whether New York can meet those goals. It identifies four reasons:
Immense scaling up of renewable generation capacity is necessary and is likely infeasible by 2030.
The focus on building renewable resources, particularly offshore wind, and entering into long-term power contracts limits flexibility and diminishes consideration of other cost-effective approaches.
State policies on nuclear, natural gas, and hydropower are counterproductive.
The focus on other sectors—particularly transportation—is insufficient.
I understand that some people think that natural gas's time has passed. I understand that some people don't like nuclear power. I understand that some people don't like hydropower.
However, I also understand, as the report points out, that some people also don't like the transmission lines necessary to bring large-scale wind to consumers. And, indeed, some people don't even like wind power. At the same time, people do like their iPhones and their cars, and fresh fruit from foreign places. In short, even if you don't like some of the conclusions of this report, it's a valuable reminder of just how difficult this is going to be.
It's not easy being green.
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