Natural Gas Pipelines: A Path to Renewable Energy? – Peekskill Herald

Report on New York State’s Energy Transition: Balancing SDG 7 and SDG 13

Introduction: The Sustainable Development Challenge

New York State is navigating a critical phase in its energy transition, striving to align with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) through its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). This transition, however, presents significant challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), particularly concerning grid reliability and energy affordability. The state’s heavy reliance on natural gas, which fuels over 60% of its generating capacity, underscores the tension between immediate energy needs and long-term decarbonization targets.

Grid Reliability and the Imperative for Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The New York State Independent System Operator (NYISO) has identified critical issues that impact the state’s progress toward a sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure, as outlined in SDG 9.

• Insufficient Renewable Capacity: The rate of adding new carbon-free energy sources to the grid is not keeping pace with the retirement of fossil fuel generators and projected growth in energy demand.
• Net Capacity Loss: Since the enactment of the CLCPA in 2019, the state has experienced a net loss of over 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity, equivalent to the power required for approximately two million homes. This deficit directly threatens the provision of reliable energy central to SDG 7 and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Projected Energy Shortfalls: NYISO warns of potential statewide energy deficiencies as early as the winter of 2029-2030 if gas-fired generators face fuel constraints during peak demand.
• Transitional Strategies: Repowering older fossil fuel plants and upgrading existing renewable facilities are proposed as interim measures to bridge the infrastructure gap, ensuring a stable transition toward the clean energy targets of SDG 7.

Proposed Natural Gas Infrastructure: A Conflict Between Energy Security and Climate Action

Several proposals to expand natural gas pipeline capacity are under consideration, creating a direct conflict between the goals of ensuring reliable energy (SDG 7) and taking urgent climate action (SDG 13). These projects represent significant investments in fossil fuel infrastructure.

1. AGT Enhancement Project: Enbridge Corp.’s proposal aims to alleviate pipeline constraints in New England to enhance peak day capacity, arguing it supports energy reliability and affordability.
2. Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Pipeline: A previously rejected project now being reconsidered by Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration, highlighting the ongoing policy debate between fossil fuel expansion and climate commitments.
3. Constitution Pipeline: The Williams Company has revived this project to transport natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, which, if approved, would further entrench fossil fuel dependency, contrary to the aims of SDG 13.
4. Iroquois Enhancement by Compression (ExC) Project: State officials have approved key permits for this pipeline expansion to improve downstate gas reliability. However, it faces legal challenges from environmental organizations, demonstrating the contentious nature of such projects.

Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The debate over New York’s energy future involves a diverse range of stakeholders, reflecting the multi-faceted approach required by SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Proponents of Gas Expansion: Advocates argue that increasing natural gas supply is essential for driving down energy costs and avoiding the use of more pollutive fuels like oil during peak demand, thereby supporting the “affordable and reliable” aspects of SDG 7 and fostering economic development (SDG 8).
• Opponents of Gas Expansion: Environmental groups and other opponents contend that new pipeline projects represent a costly diversion of investment away from renewable energy sources. They argue such infrastructure undermines SDG 13 by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and delaying the transition to the “clean” energy component of SDG 7.
• Government and Regulatory Bodies: The New York State government is attempting to balance competing priorities of reliability, affordability, and climate action. Federal and state regulatory bodies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s energy infrastructure and its capacity to meet its sustainable development commitments.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The entire article revolves around New York’s energy sector, discussing the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the affordability of energy for consumers (“drive down energy costs,” “benefit middle-class ratepayers”), and the reliability of the power grid. This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article extensively discusses energy infrastructure, including the construction and expansion of natural gas pipelines (Project Maple, NESE, Constitution Pipeline), the upgrading of compressor stations, and the “repowering of existing, older fossil fuel power plants.” This focus on developing reliable and sustainable infrastructure is central to SDG 9.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The context for the energy transition discussed is climate action. The article explicitly mentions New York’s “de-carbonization goals,” “tighter emissions restrictions,” and the “2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).” It also notes that opponents of new pipelines argue they will “add to global warming,” directly connecting the infrastructure debate to climate change mitigation efforts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article highlights the challenge of maintaining grid reliability, with the NYISO report warning that “potential fuel constraints can have serious consequences for grid reliability” and that “some level of fossil-fired generation will be needed for reliable power system operations.” The discussion also touches on affordability, with proponents of pipelines arguing they will “drive down prices” and benefit ratepayers.
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article’s premise is New York’s “transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy.” It notes the challenge that “new carbon-free resources are not being added to the grid fast enough to keep pace with expected demand growth,” which directly relates to the goal of increasing the renewable energy share.
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article discusses investment in various energy infrastructure projects, including upgrading facilities with “new technologies” and the debate over whether investment money should go to pipelines or be used for “building more solar, wind and other renewal energy projects.”
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The article is centered on the development and enhancement of energy infrastructure, such as the Algonquin pipeline and the Iroquois Enhancement by Compression (ExC) Project. The goal is to ensure “grid reliability” and “support economic development.”
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The NYISO report proposes the “repowering of existing, older fossil fuel power plants, or upgrading existing renewable generating facilities with new technologies” as a transitional strategy, which is a direct example of retrofitting and upgrading infrastructure to become more sustainable.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article explicitly references New York’s “2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA)” as the driving force behind the state’s energy transition. This act represents a state-level policy designed to integrate climate change measures (“de-carbonization goals”) into its energy strategy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
   • Indicator for Target 7.2 (Renewable energy share): The article states that “natural gas serving as the primary fuel for more than 60% of the generating capacity in the state.” This percentage is a direct indicator of the current energy mix and can be used as a baseline to measure the increase in the share of renewable energy over time.
   • Indicator for Target 7.1 (Reliability): The net change in power generation capacity is an implied indicator. The article mentions that since the CLCPA, “4,315 megawatts have left the system, while only 2,274 megawatts have been added,” resulting in a “net loss of more than 2,000 megawatts.” This metric directly relates to the grid’s capacity and reliability.
2. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
   • Indicator for Target 9.1 (Infrastructure development): The specific projects mentioned, such as the “Iroquois Enhancement by Compression (ExC) Project,” serve as indicators of infrastructure development. The capacity of these upgrades, like the “12,000 horsepower (hp) of new compression,” is a quantifiable measure of this development. The length and capacity of proposed pipelines (e.g., the NESE pipeline extending “for 23 miles”) are also concrete indicators.
3. For SDG 13 (Climate Action)
   • Indicator for Target 13.2 (Integration of climate policies): The existence and implementation of the “2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA)” is a primary indicator. Progress can be measured by tracking the retirement of fossil fuel generators and the addition of carbon-free resources, as quantified by the megawatt figures provided in the article.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: peekskillherald.com