To the Editor:<\/p>\n
If 2026 is the year of affordability, energy cost is the most important driving force. Consumers rightfully want to know that the energy they need will be there when they need it, without costing an arm and a leg. <\/p>\n
To achieve that, state leaders have arrived at a bipartisan consensus that a singular focus on policies like renewable electrification as a one-shot solution will drain wallets. \u201cAll-of-the-above\u201d has grown to be more than a buzz phrase; it\u2019s ingrained in state energy policy. <\/p>\n
Nowhere is that more evident than Gov. Kathy Hochul\u2019s all-in approach to nuclear energy, announcing in January her intent to quadruple the state\u2019s nuclear commitment to include enough new development to power millions of homes. Put another way, New York intends to build<\/a> more than the total amount of nuclear construction nationwide over the last three decades.<\/p>\n The rub is that nuclear facilities are expensive and can take well more than a decade<\/a> to build. So while we work toward laudable goals to build new nuclear energy as quickly as possible, we need other strategies right now to alleviate an impending energy crunch<\/a> that threatens reliability<\/a> and drives up the costs for limited resources.<\/p>\n Renewable biofuels need to be part of the here-and-now mix, especially in hard and costly to electrify sectors. Made from sources like restaurant grease, animal fats and used cooking oil \u2014 and with significantly lower emissions<\/a> than traditional fuels \u2014 these fuels are a readymade solution to help alleviate demand for other energy today and without the need for potentially cost-prohibitive home heating system or vehicle upgrades. <\/p>\n New York City\u2019s conversion of its heavy-duty trucks and ferries<\/a> to use entirely renewable diesel is a shining example that we don\u2019t need to wait for a silver-bullet solution like nuclear paired with millions spent on electric vehicles in order to reduce emissions without disrupting services New Yorkers rely on. Erie<\/a> and Westchester<\/a> counties have gotten on board, too. And the state has highlighted supplanting fossil fuels with renewable ones as a step toward achieving<\/a> climate and energy goals.<\/p>\n Data from the California Air Resources Board show that aggressive policies have helped the state replace 75% of the fossil diesel used in heavy duty vehicles with renewable and biodiesel alternatives.<\/p>\n