New York State Electric Utility Resilience
In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, which struck in November 2012, the Sabin Center spearheaded an effort to overhaul New York City’s electricity, gas, and steam distribution grids so that they would be better adapted to a changed and changing climate. That effort yielded a settlement with Consolidated Edison (Con Edison), approved by the New York Public Service Commission in February 2014, and a multi-billion-dollar adaptation plan. The Sabin Center is now engaged as part of the Storm Hardening and Resiliency Collaborative in an ongoing effort to ensure that Con Edison fulfills its obligations under that settlement. This page contains links to key documents and articles about the proceedings.
New York State Public Service Commission case no. 13-E-0030:
- Petition, filed Dec. 12, 2012, requesting that PSC “require all utility companies within its jurisdiction to prepare and implement comprehensive natural hazard mitigation plans to address the anticipated effects of climate change”;
- Direct testimony of Radley Horton on climatic changes relevant to ConEd’s operations and facilities;
- Report of Klaus H. Jacob on behalf of the New York Attorney General on climate risk management principles relevant to ConEd and New York City;
- Final Order, issued Feb. 21, 2014.
- Follow-up in NY PSC case no. 16-E-0060: Direct Testimony of Michael Gerrard regarding need for funding and completion of Climate Change Vulnerability Study
Media coverage of the case:
- NY PSC Approves 2-Year Electric, 3-Year Gas, Steam Rate Plan for Con Edison, SNL Financial, February 20, 2014
- PSC Tells Con Edison to Shield Grid from Climate Change Risk, Albany Times Union, February 21, 2014
- NY State Expects All Utilities To Prep for Climate Change, Climate Central, February 25, 2014
- Landmark settlement requires N.Y. state utilities to prepare for the effects of climate change, Salon, February 26, 2014
- Commission Orders New York Utilities To Integrate Climate Impacts Into Planning, BNA, February 26, 2014.
Storm Hardening and Resiliency Collaborative documents:
- Phase 1 report (Dec. 4, 2013);
- Phase 2 report (Sept. 2, 2014), amended (Nov. 14, 2014);
- Phase 3 report (Sept. 1, 2015).