{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"NRDC Says New York Energy Plan Could Raise Costs, Extend Fossil Fuel Reliance","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":994,"description":"New York’s newly adopted energy plan risks locking residents into higher energy bills and prolonged fossil fuel dependence at a time of rising costs and worsening climate impacts, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.The environmental group says the plan fails to prioritize the most affordable and proven solutions — energy efficiency, renewable power and electrification — and instead leaves the door open to new fossil fuel investments that could drive volatile prices for decades.“At a time when New Yorkers are facing higher bills and growing reliability and health risks, this plan fails to lean into the most of solutions available like energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technologies that enable electrification of end uses,” said Chris Casey, utility regulatory director for New York at NRDC.“Most concerning is that the plan opens the door to increased fossil dependence and other high-cost, speculative approaches,” he said. “That risks locking New Yorkers into higher and more volatile energy costs potentially for decades to come.”State officials have defended the plan as an “all of the above” energy strategy that includes continued reliance on natural gas to ensure reliability. Casey said that framing often serves as a rationale for long-term fossil fuel infrastructure that consumers ultimately pay for.“In reality, what we see is that ‘all of the above’ is often just a door for opening continued fossil dependence,” he said. “Those investments have to be paid off over many decades, often longer than they’ll actually be used. It sets us up for stranded costs and higher rates.”Casey also disputed claims that additional fossil fuel infrastructure is needed to keep the lights on.“New York already has one of the most reliable systems in the entire country,” he said. “A lot of this reliability talk is flag-waving to justify certain investments.”While energy bills are only one part of broader affordability pressures, Casey said the plan could...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}