New York will begin a new electricity infrastructure planning process at a Dec. 9 meeting, with an interim plan expected in 2027 and the first comprehensive version due by December 2029.
The State Energy Planning Board's work will examine generation, transmission, energy storage and local alternatives as the state prepares for rising demand, according to NYSERDA's Oct. 8 announcement.
The Energy Infrastructure Development Plan is intended to guide investments over coming decades. The announcement begins a planning process; it does not approve a particular power plant, transmission line or storage installation in the Finger Lakes.
Forecasts will shape investment decisions
The board will draw on existing analyses rather than begin with a separate assessment of every energy system need. One foundation is the State Energy Plan's pathways analysis, which considers energy supply and delivery requirements through 2040 under multiple possible futures.
Other inputs include the Coordinated Grid Planning Process, work to identify Clean Energy Zones, and reliability assessments produced by the New York Independent System Operator. Those assessments identify where solutions may be needed to maintain dependable service.
NYSERDA says the plan will coordinate new utility-scale clean generation and transmission while also considering distributed solar, storage and neighborhood-scale alternatives.
Rich Dewey, NYISO's president and CEO, described a system facing growing demand and aging resources. His organization will contribute forecasts and system-planning expertise to the effort.
The announcement does not provide a new regional demand forecast, list Finger Lakes projects selected for investment or quantify savings for a household. Those outcomes would depend on the analysis and later decisions.
Weather, costs and siting risks are part of the review
The planning approach will assess fuel-price volatility, extreme weather, conflicts over siting, rising capital costs and changes in consumer preferences.
Coordination checkpoints with NYISO's Comprehensive System Planning Process are planned, particularly when assumptions and demand forecasts are developed. The state says successive planning cycles will increasingly integrate bulk electric power and distribution systems and coordinate with gas-system needs.
Doreen Harris, NYSERDA's president and CEO and the board's chair, said embedding infrastructure investment planning within the State Energy Plan would allow a more coordinated, data-informed approach to resource development.
Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian described the effort as building on coordinated grid planning, Clean Energy Zones, long-term gas planning and proactive planning proceedings. Affordability and reliability are stated objectives, rather than demonstrated results of a plan that has not yet been completed.
The process follows Gov. Kathy Hochul's Climate Week directive under her Clean, Highly Affordable, Reliable Grid Expansion agenda, known as CHARGE. The broader agenda includes consumer costs, energy-company accountability, clean-energy development, grid modernization and jobs.
Public can attend the December meeting
The board will meet at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Albany Capital Center, Meeting Room 2B/2C, 55 Eagle St., Albany.
The public may listen virtually or attend in person. In-person registration is required because capacity is limited; NYSERDA's announcement links to the registration form.
The agency says the larger planning process will include multiple opportunities for public and industry input. It has set the 2027 interim and December 2029 comprehensive-plan targets, but the announcement does not provide a schedule for each subsequent input opportunity.
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