Long Island Power Authority - Renewable Electricity Goal

Background & IRP Objectives

In July 2019, New York State enacted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) – one of the most aggressive clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction policies in the country. The CLCPA includes, among other goals, a state-wide requirement that 70 percent of electricity consumed in the state by 2030 be produced from renewable energy; the development of 6,000 MW of distributed solar by 2025; 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035; 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030; and 100 percent zero-carbon electricity generation by 2040.

LIPA’s IRP examines the impact of Climate Act requirements and other potential electricity market changes during the study period of 2023 to 2040. The IRP will ultimately result in an action plan for the next five to ten years that will identify the key actions and investments that LIPA will undertake to meet state goals while continuing to meet the electricity needs of its customers reliably and cost-effectively.

Key Objectives for LIPA's IRP Include:

• Supporting and meeting CLCPA goals
• Eliminating dependence on fossil-fueled generation
• Integrating substantial amounts of renewable energy resources
• Identifying the impacts of the shift to electric vehicles and other key demand-side trends
• Identifying benefits to disadvantaged communities

The IRP considers supply-side resources (e.g., clean generation and energy storage), demand-side resources (e.g., energy efficiency and demand response), and transmission investments. If the studies identify a need for a major new investment or program, the action plan will identify a schedule of tasks to address the need, such as initiating a new procurement, participating with other load-serving entities in a joint procurement, or establishing a new customer program.

Timeline, Public Comments, and Scope of Work

LIPA staff presented the objectives, key challenges, and timeline for the IRP to the LIPA Board at its June 23, 2021 meeting. To initiate public engagement on the IRP development, LIPA held a 30-day public comment period on the Scope of Work (SoW), which commenced on July 23, 2021. LIPA received 18 comments on the proposed SoW. Comments, and LIPA’s formal responses, can be found in the “public comments” drop-down below. On September 22, 2021, the LIPA Board approved the IRP SoW. With the release of the IRP Summary Guide, LIPA will provide further opportunities for feedback from customers and other stakeholders. In early 2024, LIPA invited written comments on the IRP and held three public hearings. 

Note: IRP not yet completed