As concerns persist about New York’s ability to meet its ambitious climate goals, including reaching 70% electricity from renewable sources by 2030, state energy leaders said Monday that progress is the priority, and the state is open to tweaking its mandated deadlines to meet the benchmarks, if necessary. 

Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, told Spectrum News 1 on Monday the state is focused on meeting the green energy requirements under the 2019 Climate Act, reiterating a July report from the department that the 2030 goal specifically could be moved if necessary.

“If 2030 becomes 2032 or 2031, that’s less important than the fact that we have a goal of the magnitude commensurate with the objectives of the state, which is to get after this clean energy deployment,” she said. “That’s what we set out to do, to make maximum progress, to navigate these challenges, and certainly the governor’s leadership is clear in doing so.”

Harris’ comments Monday come after Gov. Kathy Hochul pressed pause on congestion pricing in New York City, and one month after she acknowledged that New York’s climate goals are becoming increasingly costly to implement in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.

Significant focus is being given to reaching New York’s goal of transitioning to zero emission school buses, and Harris feels the state is making “quick work” of engaging with the state’s school districts. Those districts must begin purchasing exclusively zero emission buses by 2027 with the goal of all zero emission fleets by 2035.

In the face of those challenges, and in the wake of progress made, NYSERDA is looking ahead and prioritizing additional momentum.

Last week, a trio of announcements dealing with electrification both incentivized further progress and highlighted further obstacles ahead.

Harris said Hochul’s announcement last week of $200 million in funding for districts and operators to purchase zero emission buses, and related infrastructure will go a long way toward helping those districts chip away at what is needed to meet New York’s zero emission bus mandate.

“This is a matter of planning, and readiness,” she said, “What I’m specifically excited about with respect to these funds is that we can really focus on these priority school districts, these districts that are lower income, where we can cover the complete cost and certainly the differential cost.”

Harris acknowledged, though, that funding won’t get the job done alone. She explained that NYSERDA is also working with districts to craft individual plans that will tackle logistical challenges as well.

“How many buses they need in which years, but also which routes will be best applied for electric school buses and how to be ready from a grid perspective as well,” she said.

It comes as the state continues to work through the heavy reliance on electricity to meet what is required by New York’s climate act.

Also now on the table: funding from a pilot program announced last week to help low-income families electrify their homes.

The New York State Public Service Commission approved the implementation of the Energy Affordability Guarantee pilot program, through funding approved as part of the 2025 state budget. The pilot program will provide approximately 1,000 program participants with tailored bill assistance to ensure they pay no more than six percent of their annual household income toward electricity costs.

“We’re strongly committed to ensuring that transition occurs in a manner that ensures affordability,” Harris said

It also comes on the heels of the Public Service Commission announcing last week that it is ordering utility companies to to develop a framework to proactively plan for the increased grid loads and infrastructure challenges that will come from electrification.

“The commission is establishing a statewide, collaborative planning framework to ensure that the utilities are ready to support New Yorkers who are increasingly choosing electric vehicles and heating for their homes, business and transportation needs,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “The purpose of this effort is to identify timely electric grid upgrades to support electrification across a number of sectors of the economy.”

Ken Girardin, director of research for right-leaning think tank Empire Center said the zero emission bus goal, in particular, is not practical, and highlighted the possibility of moving goal posts.

“You are inevitably going to see, initially, one year-at-a-time extensions, which is not a great way to work because you want to see school districts making good long-term plans,” he said.

Liz Moran, New York policy advocate for Earth Justice argued the state needs to double down further.

She urged Hochul in her next executive budget to go all-in on climate goals, including items like the NY Heat Act.

“These are not arbitrary goals,” she said. “The governor needs to be doing everything in her power to make sure we are meeting our climate law mandates.”