Articles from Long Island and Suffolk County

Primary tabs

State Agrees to Delay New York's All-Electric Buildings Mandate

New York agreed to delay implementation of the All-Electric Buildings Act, which bans gas hookups in new buildings, pending an appellate court ruling on a lawsuit by gas and construction trade groups. The mandate was scheduled to begin January 1, 2026 for buildings under seven stories. The delay follows concerns about construction costs, housing affordability, and NYISO reports warning of potential grid reliability issues in downstate regions within five years.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2025/11/12/new-york-agrees…

Gov Hochul Shift in Energy Policy Sparks Ire

Governor Hochul faces criticism from environmental groups over recent energy decisions prioritizing affordability ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Her "all-of-the-above" energy approach includes approving the NESE pipeline and delaying the all-electric buildings mandate, citing concerns about energy costs, grid reliability, and potential shortages downstate. Critics argue these moves contradict the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/12/democrats-focus-on-affordability-over-c…

New York Approves $1B NESE Natural Gas Pipeline

NYS DEC reversed three previous denials to approve the $1 billion Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline, which will run 23 miles underwater from Pennsylvania through New Jersey to Queens, providing natural gas capacity for 2.3 million homes in NYC, Long Island, and Staten Island. The approval marks New York's first new gas pipeline in over a decade and its largest fossil fuel expansion since the 2019 Climate Act, drawing both support from business groups citing affordability and opposition from environmental advocates citing climate concerns.
https://libn.com/2025/11/10/new-york-nese-natural-gas-pipeline-approval/

Bryan: When Reform Brings Higher Energy Costs

Port Washington resident Alec Bryan argues that Long Island's high electricity rates (24 cents per kilowatt hour) are being driven by liquefied natural gas export terminals that ship U.S. gas overseas to higher bidders rather than keeping it domestic. The opinion piece criticizes "permitting reform" efforts and the NESE pipeline project, advocating instead for affordable renewable energy sources like wind and solar to lower Long Island energy bills.
https://lilifepolitics.com/opinion-editorials/when-reform-brings-higher-energy-c…

Durso: All-of-the-Above Energy for an All-in Long Island

Long Island Federation of Labor President John Durso advocates for a balanced energy approach that combines renewable sources with reliable baseload power to meet Long Island's energy needs while creating union jobs. The opinion piece addresses the region's energy challenges and workforce development opportunities in the evolving energy sector.
https://libn.com/2025/10/30/durso-all-of-the-above-energy-for-an-all-in-long-isl…

Federal Judge Allows Work to Continue on New England Offshore Wind Farm

A federal judge ruled Monday that construction can resume on the Revolution Wind offshore project, overturning the Trump administration's August halt order. The nearly complete $4 billion wind farm, located off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut, was 80% finished when work was stopped. The 704-megawatt project will power over 350,000 homes and represents significant opportunities for electrical contractors and construction workers in the offshore renewable energy sector. Source: stateline.org
https://stateline.org/2025/09/23/federal-judge-allows-work-to-continue-on-new-en…

Islip Extends Moratorium on Battery Storage Facilities, Halting Hauppauge Project

The Islip Town Board voted unanimously to extend its moratorium on battery energy storage systems (BESS) for another 12 months, effectively halting a controversial lithium-ion battery storage facility proposed for an industrial park in Hauppauge. The 79-megawatt project faced strong opposition from local residents and the Hauppauge Fire Department over safety concerns. The moratorium extension prevents any new BESS construction permits while the state updates its regulatory guidelines for such facilities. Source: longisland.news12.com
https://longisland.news12.com/islip-extends-moratorium-on-battery-storage-facili…

New York Can't Meet Its Ambitious Climate Targets. Maybe the Plan Was Doomed From the Start

Analysis reveals New York State is falling short of its aggressive climate goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, with implications for renewable energy construction projects and utility infrastructure development. The challenges include permitting delays, grid modernization needs, and rising utility costs that affect both residential and commercial building projects. The shortfall may require accelerated construction timelines for solar, wind, and energy storage projects across Long Island and the broader region. Source: insideclimatenews.org
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05082025/new-york-fails-ambitious-climate-tar…

Firm Recognized for Self-Cleaning Solar Panel Innovation

A New York-based company received $65,000 recognition for developing innovative self-cleaning solar panel technology that could revolutionize solar installation maintenance and efficiency. The breakthrough technology addresses a key challenge in solar panel performance by automatically removing dust and debris that reduces energy output. The innovation has significant implications for solar construction projects throughout Long Island and Suffolk County, potentially reducing maintenance costs and improving long-term performance of commercial and residential solar installations.
https://finance-commerce.com/2025/08/new-york-company-wins-65k-for-self-cleaning…

Pages