New York has taken a big step toward renewable energy in a "historic" climate victory

New York State has passed legislation that will increase renewable energy production in the state and signals a major step toward moving utilities out of private hands and into public ownership. The bill, part of the new state budget, will require the state's public energy provider to generate all of its electricity from clean energy by 2030. It also allows utilities to build and own renewable energy sources while phasing out fossil fuels. "This is a historic victory for climate and clean jobs," said Lee Ziesche, an organizer with the Public Power New York coalition, which has been fighting for the legislation's passage for the past four years. “It will create a public power model for the entire country and really show that our energy should be a public good.” The Building Public Renewables Act (BPRA) will ensure that all public properties that normally receive their power from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) were powered by renewable energy by 2030. It will also require council-owned properties – including many hospitals and schools, as well as public housing and public transport – to switch to renewable energy by 2035. NYPA provides low-cost electricity to more than 1,000 customers, from local and state government buildings to electric cooperatives, businesses and nonprofits. It also sells part of its energy on the wholesale market, where public services can buy it. The legislation will require NYPA to offer low- to moderate-income customers a lower rate for renewable energy. The passage of the bill, the first of its kind, comes after years of campaigning by local climate and environmental organizers in New York State.

(theguardian)