The timeline for New York state’s transition to renewable energy appears to be slowing down, and the environmental community is not happy about it. 

Earlier this week, the head of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) appeared on Spectrum News 1 warning that the growing need for electricity is placing a strain on the energy grid. Specifically, advanced manufacturing, crypto mining and artificial intelligence are all using increasing amounts of electricity.

And just last week, Doreen Harris, the head of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), told Capital Tonight that the state’s energy policy may have to rely on fossil fuels for longer than the climate law had intended in order to preserve affordability and reliability.

But several environmental organizations are taking issue with how the state’s policy narrative is being framed. 

Earthjustice, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, the Environmental Defense Fund and Evergreen Action have sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, as well as the leaders of NYSERDA, PSC and DEC, blaming understaffing at NYISO for repeatedly failing to take actions “to strengthen New York’s grid and connect new clean energy and storage, undermining the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”

The organizations also claim that NYISO’s “conclusions and messaging in Power Trends are not supported by the evidence and perpetuate the false narrative that more gas is needed or is less costly."

Liz Moran, New York policy advocate for Earthjustice, discussed the letter on Capital Tonight. 

Kevin Lanahan, vice president of external affairs and corporate communications for NYISO, emailed Capital Tonight the following emailed statement:

“We encourage every policymaker to read Power Trends for a fact-based assessment of electric system reliability, climate policy advancement and economic development.

“Power Trends suggests that the repowering of all aging resource types – renewable and fossil – be examined to determine the opportunity for capacity additions, efficiency, and carbon reductions. Doing so may help bridge New York to its climate goals. Power Trends also provides an honest look at recent improvements to the interconnection process, acknowledged by the Alliance for Clean Energy New York as reducing timelines significantly.

“We continue to meet with all stakeholders, including Earth Justice and EDF, through our open governance process to identify further improvements to interconnection while also maintaining reliability of the electric grid.”