In his State of the State speech on January 3, 2018, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an ambitious, multifaceted clean energy and climate change agenda. The principal objectives are as follows:
- Expand Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Reduce Emissions Equitably From the Highest-Polluting, High Demand “Peaker” Power Plants
- Issue Solicitations in 2018 and 2019 to Develop at Least 800 MW of Offshore Wind Projects and Foster Offshore Wind Industry and Workforce in New York State
- $200 Million Investment to Meet Unprecedented Energy Storage Target of 1,500 Megawatts by 2025 In Order to Increase Transmission of Clean and Renewable Energy
- Create the Zero Cost Solar for All Program for 10,000 Low-Income New Yorkers
- Reconvene Scientific Advisory Committee on Climate Change Disbanded by the Federal Government
- Governor Directs the Establishment of Energy Efficiency Target by Earth Day
- Regulations to Close all Coal Plants to be Adopted