This forum presents an opportunity for attendees to offer information to New York State and utility representatives on energy efficiency and energy affordability based on their experiences with low and moderate income households and affordable housing.
State agency staff expect and welcome a broad discussion of issues related to energy affordability and access to clean energy solutions (e.g. solar) for low and moderate income households (LMI), including housing providers that serve this population (affordable housing owners/property managers). The moderated forum will include discussion of:
- Existing state and utility programs and how they can be improved, including inter-agency coordination.
- The sharing of benefits from efficiency and renewable energy between property owners and building residents.
- Access to financing for efficiency and other clean energy options and its role in meeting the state’s energy savings and emissions reductions goals.
- How utilities and the State communicate with the populations they serve.
You do not need to prepare in advance for this event. However, if you wish to learn more prior to the forum, or if you cannot attend, you can review the documents filed in the official proceeding on New York’s new Energy Efficiency Initiative, including the NYSERDA/NY PSC staff white paper New Efficiency: New York and comments filed by interested stakeholders, including EEFA NY.
New York’s new energy efficiency target is 185 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) in cumulative statewide savings relative to the forecasted energy consumption by 2025. This is expected to contribute 30% of the GHG emissions reductions needed to meet the State’s 2030 emissions reductions goal. The announced energy target is an all fuels/all sector approach but it also includes a sub-target to “set New York State on a path to achieve annual electric efficiency savings of 3% of investor-owned utility sales in 2025.” The State has proposed meeting the targets through a variety of approaches including: changing utility energy efficiency program offerings; using a fuel-neutral approach in program delivery; dedicating at least 20% of new public investment to the low- to moderate-income (LMI) sector; strengthening building codes and appliance standards; driving deeper energy savings in retrofits and new construction; and supporting cost-effective heat pump adoption.
EEFA NY has already submitted comments in the official process for implementation of the new initiative. Our recommendations included the following:
- Setting firm utility targets and commensurate program funding authorization
- Valuing energy efficiency based on the full benefits provided, including carbon reductions and non-energy benefits such as improved health and housing security
- Exploring innovative financing for efficiency in affordable multifamily buildings, including NY Green Bank support
- Increasing program funding and financing and use of funds proportionate to the percentages of low and moderate income households residing in each specific type of housing stock (i.e., small homes or multifamily buildings)
- Increasing interagency and statewide coordination (e.g. between housing, energy/utility, bill assistance agencies)
- Enhancing opportunities for stakeholders to inform program design
- Incorporating a portfolio approach within programs, allowing for phased implementation of clean energy improvements with the goal of a whole building approach
- Implementing fuel neutral program design to support comprehensive retrofits including dual fuel systems and systems relying completely on delivered/unregulated fuels, and to support strategic beneficial electrification (with appropriate consumer protections for where heat and hot water were previously included in rent)
- Supporting workforce development including on-the-job training opportunities, support for disadvantaged workers, and use of industry-recognized training standards
Other parties, including EEFA NY members, have also filed comments. All of them can be accessed via the NY PSC website. Some comments of note related to EEFA NY’s positions include those of AEA, AEEI/ACE NY, Energy Efficiency Advocates, NYCEJA, and the Residential Building Industry Coalition.
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