Business

NYPA releases sustainability report

NYPA releases sustainability report
Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant (photo courtesy NYPA)

The 2021 Sustainability Report shows the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) progress in achieving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance measures and highlights milestones in the authority’s VISION2030 strategic plan, its role in climate action, and advancement of the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

This second annual sustainability report, Powering the Fight Against Climate Change, gives concrete examples of how NYPA is working to protect the planet while serving communities and customers for the benefit of all New Yorkers, according to a release.

“Reviewing our business performance through an ESG framework shows how far we have progressed toward our sustainability goals and positions NYPA as an industry leader, setting an example of how to measure our successes by taking our impact on the environment, the communities we serve, and our governance into play,” said Justin E. Driscoll, interim president and chief executive officer. “As we continue to march toward a fully clean energy economy, we are delivering on our commitments in our VISION2030 strategic plan, to benefit all New Yorkers and we’re pleased to share this sustainability report that highlights our significant progress.”

The report focuses on efforts to achieve NYPA’s goals as outlined in its VISION2030 strategic plan and its Sustainability Plan 2021-25. The report also covers advances made by NYPA’s subsidiary, the New York State Canal Corporation. Stories in the report illustrate NYPA’s commitment to integrate renewables and modernize generation assets, as well as to help customers reduce their carbon footprint. The report also shows how NYPA and Canals are working to bolster the New York State canal system of waterways and trails as an ecotourism destination that will promote increased economic growth in canal-side communities.

New York State has an aggressive timetable for decarbonizing its electricity system, including moving toward 70% renewables by 2030, 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 and a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. VISION2030, NYPA’s 10-year strategic plan, is a roadmap for NYPA’s efforts to lead the transition to a carbon-free, economically vibrant state by investing in its hydropower facilities, which provide reliable, clean baseload supply; building new transmission infrastructure to expand the use of renewables; and helping NYPA customers meet their decarbonization goals.

Notable 2021 achievements most relevant to NYPA’s VISION2030 strategic priorities include:

  • 88% of electricity generated from renewable hydropower.
  • $207 million invested in Smart Path, Smart Path Connect and Central East Energy Connect transmission projects to bring more renewables to areas of high electricity demand.
  • $61 million invested in 2021 in modernizing infrastructure to support the Next Generation Niagara $1.1 billion investment and $460 million Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant modernization projects.
  • $246-plus million invested in capital work for energy efficiency projects at customer facilities.
  • 426,505 jobs created/maintained through economic development electric power programs.

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the U.S., operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines.