If New York’s climate laws are to be believed, our state must reach net zero emissions by 2050. According to the most absolutely optimistic official estimates, it will cost about $15B a year, or $375B to get there (while the majority of the benefits aren’t expected to directly help New Yorkers). The $375B will come from some combination of higher utility bills, taxes, bond measures, or private investment.
There isn’t a consistent county-by-county accounting of how many emissions are generated where, but three counties in the Mid-Hudson Valley have quantified what their total, community-wide annual emissions are: Dutchess, Orange and Ulster County.
What are New York State’s total emissions?
Depending on the year, the total annual GHG emissions for NYS are around 350 MMT CO₂e.
How many emissions come from the Mid-Hudson Valley?
According to their most recent reports (numbers are in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent):
Dutchess County: 2.6 MMT CO₂e
Orange County: 5.9 MMT CO₂e
Ulster County: 2.1 MMT CO₂e
Total: 10.6 MTC02e
By dividing the regional 10.6 MMT CO₂e figure by the statewide 350 MMT CO₂e figure, we reach the conclusion that the Mid-Hudson Valley is responsible for about 3.04% of New York State’s total emissions.
How much will it cost for the Mid-Hudson Valley to reach net zero?
Assuming a total emissions figure of 10.6 MMT CO₂e, and a total price tag of taxes and consumer costs of $375B, we can deduce that it will cost the residents of the Mid-Hudson Valley $11.4B to decarbonize by 2050.
Dutchess County: $2.79B
Orange County: $6.32B
Ulster County: $2.29B
Indian Point Closure Added CO₂ Equal to the Mid-Hudson Valley’s Entire Annual Emissions
According to various estimates, the premature closure of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in 2021 led to an increase in emissions by anywhere from 8 to 15 MMT CO₂e a year, due to the emissionless nuclear energy being replaced by new natural gas plants in Middletown and Dover Plains.
The average estimate is the closure resulted in an increase in emissions of roughly 11.5 MMT CO₂e, which is 0.9 MMT CO₂e more than the entire emissions put out by all of the Mid-Hudson Valley.
What should New York do with this information?
Over the last two years, we have written about many of the consequences of New York’s irrational energy policies, including:
- How Upstate and Western NY Communities are Fighting Back Against Renewable Energy Projects
- Unjust Transition at Indian Point: How Politicians and Non-Profits Betrayed New York With Pseudoscience
- How the Home County of the Environmental Movement is Questioning NY’s Climate Mandates
- They Aren’t Coming For Your Firewood. But New York’s Energy Plan is Still Not Good.
- Where in New York State Did Electric Prices Go Up the Most Since 2017?
- New York Energy Alliance Applauds Comptroller DiNapoli’s Report Highlighting Critical Failures in the CLCPA Implementation
To help foster energy affordability and reliability for New York families and businesses, we at New York Energy Alliance reiterate our call for:
- A comprehensive review and reassessment of the CLCPA’s goals and implementation strategies.
- Transparent and accurate cost estimates to inform the public and ensure financial accountability.
- A realistic plan that explores all viable energy sources, especially the expansion of nuclear and hydro power, to ensure reliable and affordable energy for all New Yorkers.