PlaNYC to energize the energy market.

PlaNYC, Mayor Bloomberg's set of sweeping propositions to improve the quality of New York life, includes socially, politically, and economically bold energy policy proposals. Broken down into four overall goals with 14 correlating initiatives, the agenda seeks to rejuvenate New York City's aging infrastructure to foster energy sustainability. EnergyWatch will be tracking the progress of this potentially momentous plan. On the itinerary:

A. Improve energy planning. An Energy Planning Board would coordinate energy efficiency efforts, including establishment of reduction targets, review of supply and demand strategies, and spending recommendations.

B. Reduce New York City's energy consumption. Six initiatives would bolster environmental and economic health by adding more supply while maximizing energy efficiency:

a. Reduce energy consumption of City government. Currently consuming 6.5% of New York City's total energy, the city government itself would invest an amount equal to 10% of its energy expenses into energy-saving system updates, including building audits and updated streetlight technology.

b. Strengthen energy and building codes: Revisions to the city's 40-year-old building code would include requirements for green and energy-efficient technologies.

c. Create an energy efficiency authority for New York City: The NYC Energy Efficiency Authority would develop programs, incentives, and mandates for demand reduction.

d. Prioritize key areas for targeted incentives: Efforts by the Energy Efficiency Authority would target all new and existing buildings and appliances and electronics.

e. Expand peak load management." Peak load management programs would offer fiscal compensation to participants who reduced their load on the hottest days or used alternative energy sources. Installation of smart meters in every building and expansion of real-time pricing would help consumers make informed decisions about how and when they use electricity during the day.

f. Launch an energy awareness and training program: Energy-awareness education, technology-implementation training for building operators and designers, and energy auditing processes would assess and increase the impact of energy efficiency efforts.

C. Expand the city's clean power supply. Increased supply of clean energy sources would seek to meet increasing demand and make energy prices more competitive in the wholesale market:

a. Facilitate repowering and construct power plants and dedicated transmission lines: Modernization of existing plants' technologies and construction of new plants entirely dedicated to the NYC grid would provide a cleaner, cheaper energy supply.

b. Expand Clean Distributed Generation: Use of clean fuels by mini-power plants located close to or at the site of use would conserve energy otherwise wasted in delivery while producing less pollution.

c. Support expansion of natural gas infrastructure: Development of new projects would address the logistical challenges to the piping-in natural gas.

d. Foster the market for renewable energy: The city would support the use of renewable energy source through tax incentives, long-term contracts with developers, and technology innovation.

D. Modernize electricity delivery infrastructure.

a. Accelerate reliability improvements to the city's grid: Installation of advanced meters would allow ConEd to instantly identify the extent of a blackout, while repairs to failure-prone grid components would prevent outages.

b. Facilitate grid repairs through improved coordination and joint bidding: Joint bidding on construction projects would allow for smoother project coordination among all utilities.

c. Support Con Edison's efforts to modernize the grid: The city would support funding requests for ConEd's R&D program, 3G System of the Future, to transform its grid into a 21 st century model.