Latest Climate Changes

The Community Risk and Resiliency Act was signed into law in 2014 after NYLCV and other environmental advocates pushed for its passage. The Department of Environmental Conservation recently released two new flood management documents developed under the CRRA that address flood risk and sea-level rise, as well as approve state funding for mitigation and resiliency programs.

During Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, NYLCV met with Congressmembers about three main issues: the need to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), protecting the clean car standards, and drawing attention to the newly-launched Clean Energy for All Campaign. The team stressed the importance of maintaining New York’s leadership role on green energy and clean air.

As part of the Reforming Energy Vision initiative, the New York State Department of Public Service, Con Edison, National Express, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority are participating in a demonstration project to operate five electric school buses throughout the White Plains public school district. The plan is for school buses to operate normally through the year and charge at night, while in the summer months they will be plugged into the grid and used as energy storage assets.

As we work to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in order to respond to climate change, green technologies are becoming more available and affordable. One such technology that mostly flies under the radar is carbon capture and storage.

A newly released report published by Bloomberg predicts a very promising future for electric buses. The report found that switching from conventional to electric buses would not only be helpful for air quality, it would also save money in the long term. 

Up to a certain point, rooftop solar benefits everyone – homeowners who have it save money and we get fewer greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air. But two problems emerge when rooftop solar clears a certain threshold.

As we adjust to a new normal of more severe storms, more frequent droughts, and more flooding, we will have to be flexible about how – and where – we live our lives. One strategy we’ll need to adopt is called “managed retreat” – and unfortunately we’re not managing it very well right now.

Energy storage systems, such as lithium-ion based battery storage, are essential to supporting microgrids, renewable energy integration, reducing peak demand on the grid, and provide for a more resilient energy system.