In this episode of Building Tomorrow, we delve into the state of New York City’s electrical grid, whether it can handle building electrification today and what is needed to transform it for the future. New analysis from Urban Green Council reveals that electrification doesn’t need to wait: NYC’s current grid has ample capacity to support heat pump installations, and even with a dirty grid, heat pumps reduce emissions and energy costs. At the same time, NYC’s grid is beginning to transform. By 2028, nearly half of the city’s electricity will come from clean sources due to the activation of Champlain Hudson Power Express and Empire Wind 1. Join Urban Green’s research and policy teams as they unpack how NYC can begin electrifying buildings today while cleaning the grid to reach our long-term building decarbonization goals. Host: Danielle Manley, Associate Director, Policy, Urban Green Council Guests: Adam Schiabor, Associate Director, Research, Urban Green Council Miranda Miller, Associate Manager, Policy, Urban Green Council Resources: NYC’s electricity supply Grid capacity remains high for more heat pumps NYC’s grid in transition Guest: Danielle Manley, Associate Director, Policy, Urban Green Council Danielle is responsible for advocacy, analysis and collaboration on Urban Green’s policy initiatives in New York City and State. She previously worked at the Center for Climate Systems Research at Columbia University’s Earth Institute researching and communicating local climate risk information for stakeholders in global cities and ecosystems, and served as project manager for the Third New York City Panel on Climate Change Report. Danielle also worked for nonprofits in Buffalo on environmental education and advocacy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University at Buffalo. Guest: Adam Schiabor, Associate Director of Research, Urban Green CouncilAdam is responsible for conducting data analysis and research into sustainability topics. Prior to Urban Green, Adam worked at a non-profit healthcare company that was dedicated to using the Affordable Care Act to expand access to services and lower the cost of healthcare in New Mexico. Adam holds a B.S in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Oregon and a M.A in Economics from the New School for Social Research. Guest: Miranda Miller, Associate Manager of Policy, Urban Green Council Miranda manages Urban Green’s policy advocacy, analysis, and stakeholder engagement initiatives with a focus on advancing building decarbonization in New York City. She previously served as senior staff in the Office of U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko, where she authored and advised on legislation related to clean energy, transportation, and economic development. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College and a Master’s of Environmental Management with a specialization in energy from the Yale School of the Environment.
