Northeast

New York

New York’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 22% from 1990-2021, with the biggest reductions from the state’s electricity sector. Today, more than 90% of the state’s electricity is generated from natural gas (48%), hydropower (22%), and nuclear (21%) energy. New York’s GDP is largely driven by financial activities, professional services, and the information sector, and energy use per capita in New York state is lower than all other states, except for Rhode Island.
GHG Reduction Targets
All targets relative to 1990 levels
2030
40%
2050
85%
2050
Net-zero
Governor
Kathy Hochul (Democrat)
House Party
Democratic Supermajority
Senate Party
Democratic Supermajority
Legislative session
1/3/24 - 6/8/24
US Climate Alliance Status
Member

42

Policies Enacted or In Progress
across 7 policy areas

20

Policy Opportunities
across 6 policy areas

Northeast

9 states
This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Progress by Policy Area

  • Enacted
  • In-progress
  • Partially Enacted
  • Not Enacted
Glossary of Terms
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in New York

Created in partnership with
Filters
Status Policy Policy Area Policy Category YR Enacted
Enacted
Empty column

40% by 2030 | 85% by 2050 | net-zero by 2050

Relative to 1990 levels

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2019
Enacted
Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2022
Enacted
Empty column

The 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in December 2023.

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2023
Not Enacted
Empty column

Climate bureaucracy consists of dedicated climate offices and staff, interagency working groups, task forces, and other bodies made up of government staff. These bodies are often responsible for writing a state's climate plan and implementing the policies and strategies identified to meet its climate targets.

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance
Enacted
Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2019
Enacted
Empty column

"Disadvantaged communities" are the 35% highest scoring census tracts based on 45 indicators related to environmental burdens, climate change risks, population characteristics, and health vulnerabilities, as well as all tracts containing federally designated reservations or State-recognized Nation-owned land.

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2019
Enacted
Empty column

Disadvantaged Communities Map

Maps & GIS Tools for Environmental Justice

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2023
Enacted
Empty column

At least 35%, with a goal of 40%, of clean energy and energy efficiency investments must benefit Disadvantaged Communities.

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2019
Enacted
Empty column

NY DEC – Office of Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2019
Enacted
Empty column

Environmental Justice Advisory Group

Establishing Policies
Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2019
Enacted
Empty column

Requires an analysis of cumulative impacts on disadvantaged communities before a permit is approved or renewed, through an amendment to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

Establishing Policies
Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2022
Not Enacted
Empty column

Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification.

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition
Enacted
Empty column

Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET)

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition
Enacted
Empty column

Just Transition Working Group

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition 2019
Not Enacted
Empty column

Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels.

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition
Enacted
Empty column

NY Green Bank

Establishing Policies
Cross-Sector
Climate Finance 2013
Enacted
Empty column

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) covers the electricity sector.

The state is also developing an economywide cap-and-invest program.

Cross-Sector
Carbon Valuation 2005
Enacted
Empty column

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are required establish a social cost of carbon for use by state agencies.

Cross-Sector
Carbon Valuation 2019
Enacted
Empty column

70% renewable electricity by 2030 | 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040

Electricity
Energy Plans and Targets 2019
Not Enacted
Empty column

Electricity greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit GHG emissions in the electricity sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by different amounts over time, often expressed as percentage relative to a baseline year.

Electricity
Energy Plans and Targets
Enacted
Empty column

10-Point Action Plan to Expand a Thriving Large-Scale Renewable Industry

Electricity
Energy Plans and Targets 2023
Not Enacted
Empty column

The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.

Policy Components
not-enacted
not-enacted
not-enacted
not-enacted
not-enacted
0/5
Electricity
Clean Energy Generation
Partially Enacted
Empty column

The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.

Policy Components
enacted
enacted
enacted
enacted
enacted
enacted
enacted
not-enacted
not-enacted
not-enacted
not-enacted
7/11
Electricity
Clean Energy Generation
Enacted
Empty column

The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.

Policy Components
enacted
enacted
enacted
enacted
enacted
enacted
6/6
Electricity
Clean Energy Generation
Enacted
Empty column

New York has an active community choice aggregation program.

Establishing Policies
Electricity
Clean Energy Generation 2014
Enacted
Empty column

1,500 megawatts (MW) of energy storage by 2025 and 6,000 MW by 2030

Electricity
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage 2024
Enacted
Empty column

New York received a B grade from Freeing the Grid.

Electricity
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage 2023
Enacted
Empty column

Requires 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, effectively eliminating coal from its electricity portfolio.

Electricity
Coal Retirement 2019
Not Enacted
Empty column

Coal securitization is a financing tool that allows utility companies to refinance debt they issued to build coal plants and close the facilities early without taking a financial hit or passing costs on to ratepayers.

Electricity
Coal Retirement
Enacted
Empty column

The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2018 IECC with amendments.

Buildings and Efficiency
Building Codes 2020
Enacted
Empty column

The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is 2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2016.

Buildings and Efficiency
Building Codes 2018
Enacted
Empty column

The NYStretch Energy Code: 2020 is a voluntary locally adopted stretch energy code that offers municipalities a more energy-efficient alternative to the minimum state energy code.

Buildings and Efficiency
Building Codes 2020
Enacted
Empty column

The Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards apply to 21 products.

Buildings and Efficiency
Building Standards 2022
Not Enacted
Empty column

Building performance standards establish energy and/or greenhouse gas performance targets for existing buildings in a state. These targets increase in stringency over time, leading to efficiency improvements in buildings to conserve energy and reduce emissions.

Buildings and Efficiency
Building Standards
Not Enacted
Empty column

Clean heat standards establish a performance standard requiring heat providers to deliver a gradually-increasing percentage of low-emission heating services to customers.

Buildings and Efficiency
Building Standards
Enacted
Empty column

Electric utilities are required to achieve energy savings equivalent to 3% of electricity sales by 2025.

Gas utilities are required to achieve energy savings equivalent to 1.3% of natural gas sales by 2025.

Buildings and Efficiency
Building Efficiency 2018
Enacted
Empty column

New York has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation and has active programs.

Establishing Policies
Buildings and Efficiency
Building Efficiency 2009
Partially Enacted
Empty column

The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.

Policy Components
enacted
enacted
not-enacted
enacted
3/4
Buildings and Efficiency
Building Efficiency
Enacted
Empty column

Requires all-electric heating and cooking in new buildings under 7 stories by 2026, and in 2029 for taller buildings

Establishing Policies
Buildings and Efficiency
Building Electrification 2023
Enacted
Empty column

New York LEV Program

Transportation
Light-Duty Vehicles 2023
Enacted
Empty column

Model Year (MY) 2027: 43% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs | MY 2030: 68% of new sales are ZEVs | MY 2035: 100% of new sales are ZEVs, with up to 20% being hybrid or hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Transportation
Light-Duty Vehicles 2023
Enacted
Empty column

The Drive Clean Rebate program offers rebates up to $2,000 for new plug-in hybrid or battery EVs.

Establishing Policies
Transportation
Light-Duty Vehicles
Enacted
Empty column

The Low NOx Omnibus Rule applies to Model Year 2026 onwards.

Transportation
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles 2022
Enacted
Empty column

By 2035: 55% of Class 2b-3 truck sales are zero-emissions | 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales are zero-emissions | 40% of Class 7-8 tractor sales are zero-emissions.

Transportation
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles 2021
Not Enacted
Empty column

Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle rebates consist of programs and policies that offer rebates to make MHD electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.

Transportation
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Enacted
Empty column

100% of the state's passenger vehicle fleet are ZEVs by 2035, and 100% of the state's medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleet are ZEVs by 2040

Establishing Policies
Transportation
Lead by Example 2022
Enacted
Empty column

100% of new school bus purchases are zero-emission by 2027 | 100% of buses in operation are zero-emission by 2035

Transportation
Lead by Example 2022
Not Enacted
Empty column

Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements establish mandates for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in new construction or developments, such as residential or commercial buildings, and public parking lots.

Transportation
EV Charging Infrastructure
Enacted
Empty column

The Charge Ready NY program offers rebates for the installation of networked Level 2 EV charging stations, up to $4,000 per port at public facilities in Disadvantaged Communities (DACs), and $2,000 per port for workplaces and multi-unit dwellings, with an additional $500 if in a DAC.

Establishing Policies
Transportation
EV Charging Infrastructure
Not Enacted
Empty column

Electric vehicle (EV) and EV charging infrastructure plans are documents that provide a framework to guide the development, coordination, and adoption of EVs and EV charging infrastructure.

Transportation
Transportation Plans and Targets
Not Enacted
Empty column

Transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit emissions in the transportation sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by specific amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year.

Transportation
Transportation Plans and Targets
Not Enacted
Empty column

A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation
Transportation Plans and Targets
Partially Enacted
Empty column

New York is ranked 13th out of 50 in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State rankings by the League of American Bicyclists.

Policy Components
not-enacted
enacted
not-enacted
enacted
enacted
3/5
Transportation
Public and Active Transportation
Enacted
Empty column

The Office of General Services established guidelines for the procurement of low embodied carbon concrete and requires the state to set an emissions standard for concrete used in public works.

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
Industrial Decarbonization 2021
Enacted
Empty column

The state prohibits certain HFCs in specific stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning end-uses.

Establishing Policies
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
F-gas Regulations 2020
Not Enacted
Empty column

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
F-gas Regulations
Not Enacted
Empty column

Oil and gas methane regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, leak detection and repair, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production.

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
Oil and Gas Regulations
Enacted
Empty column

Hydraulic fracking for the exploration and production of natural gas is banned.

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
Oil and Gas Regulations 2015
Not Enacted
Empty column

Landfill methane regulations include rulemakings, emissions monitoring, emissions control, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from decaying organic waste in landfills.

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
Waste Management
Enacted
Empty column

Food waste ban – The state requires food scraps generators to donate excess edible food for human consumption and shall dispose of remaining food scraps at an organic recycler, provided they generate at least 2 tons of food scraps per week and are within 25 miles of an organics recycler.

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
Waste Management 2019
Enacted
Empty column

The Climate Resilient Farming Program provides competitive grant funding to support farmers with agricultural waste storage, methane reduction, on-farm water management, and soil health.

New York Soil Health Program provides grants to support projects, activities, and travel related to soil health within New York State.

Natural and Working Lands
Agriculture 2021
Not Enacted
Empty column

Agriculture technical assistance programs provide state-driven technical assistance, apprenticeship and mentorship programs, and support securing additional funding for farmers to increase uptake of soil health practices.

Natural and Working Lands
Agriculture

The State Climate Policy Dashboard tracks only passed policies and does not include bills currently proposed in legislative sessions. The website is intended to illustrate the current status of policies for each state, as well as key resources and model states for each policy.

Much of the information contained in this database is derived from the public domain, with links to resources provided. The information provided is made available solely for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Click here for full Terms of Use.

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