NPCC

New York City Panel on Climate Change

Climate Change, Energy, and Energy Insecurity in New York City

Introduction

In New York City (NYC), energy insecurity disproportionately affects those marginalized by poverty, discrimination, and structural neglect due to histories of segregation and redlining.

This NPCC4 chapter provides an overview of energy trends in NYC and New York State, the challenges and barriers to a clean energy transition, and the implications for human health and wellbeing. It defines energy insecurity as the inability to meet energy needs essential for health and wellbeing, as well as the stresses involved in trying to meet those needs.

Diagram of NYC energy use in 2022

The chapter describes the current landscape of NYC’s current energy production and use and illustrates the unequal burden that energy insecurity places on marginalized communities within the city.

It discusses how the energy transition away from fossil fuel sources, one strategy necessary to combat the effects of climate change on NYC, should consider how the transition may impact energy insecurity among city residents: limiting the potential impacts to reliability and inequitable access while also focusing on improving efficiency and lowering emissions intensity (e.g., Local Law 97).

Finally, the chapter describes strategies that may be employed to help create a just energy transition and points to opportunities for future research on specific health, economic, and social energy insecurity impacts.

Read the Interim Report

Photo Credit: Civilian Climate Corps, Staten Island: BlocPower, City of New York Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice

Authors

Liv Yoon, Ph.D. School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Jennifer Ventrella, Doctoral Candidate The New School, New York, NY

Peter Marcotullio, Ph.D. Department of Geography, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY

Thomas Matte, MD, MPH Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY

Kathryn Lane, MA, MPH New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY

Jenna Tipaldo, Doctoral Student CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and CUNY Institute for Demographic Research, New York, NY

Sonal Jessel, MPH WE ACT for Environmental Justice, New York, NY

Kathleen Schmid, JD Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, New York, NY

Julia Casagrande, MSc. Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, New York, NY

Hayley Elszasz, Ph.D. Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, New York, NY

Summary

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  • Key Message 1

    While recognizing the urgency to reduce energy use and GHG emissions to meet the State’s ambitious climate goals and mitigate the impacts of climate change, actions must be approached deliberately, considering energy insecurity and health.

    Challenges, including reducing fossil fuel use, acquiring renewables, adapting the grid to meet higher demand, and securing sufficient dispatchable generation to ensure reliability during peak periods when solar and wind generation is low can all have implications for energy affordability and reliability. While the transition offers opportunities for economic growth, improved air quality, and promoting active transport, equitable implementation, and reliable energy supply particularly during extreme weather events are important considerations for NYC.

  • Key Message 2

    Energy is not only vital for economic growth, but also for human health and well-being – a connection that the concept of energy insecurity (EI) highlights.

    EI can be caused by high energy costs relative to income, by frequent energy outages and unreliability, or both. Addressing EI both influences, and is influenced by, various domains such as public health, transportation, energy, and housing sectors – all compounded by climate change as a threat multiplier.

  • Key Message 3

    EI can harm public health directly -- via inadequate heating or cooling, indoor air pollution, and reduced ability to reliably use medical devices and refrigeration necessary for health needs -- and indirectly when high energy costs reduce spending on other essential items like healthcare and food.

    Populations most vulnerable to EI include those with lower incomes, people who have experienced systemic racism, people with underlying health conditions, disabilities, or dependent on electric powered medical equipment, and renters, who are less able to access energy subsidies.

  • Key Message 4

    Climate resilience investments in energy infrastructure and mitigation plans for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and the electrification of buildings and transportation could impact future energy reliability and costs.

    Vulnerable populations are most at risk from any potential increases in power outages or energy costs, which may be exacerbated by projected climate extremes in NYC, such as extreme heat, cold, and flooding. Equitable and just policies and investments in the energy and housing sectors can reduce future health risks from energy insecurity and shape a more resilient and equitable future.