The public had its first chance to comment on New York’s Draft State Energy Plan at a hearing on Aug. 19, the first in a series of virtual and in-person hearings.

The draft provides a 15-year outlook, through 2040, meant to guide energy planning direction with recommendations for meeting future energy demands that prioritize a reliable, clean, and affordable system while supporting economic development, equity, and a healthy environment.

The draft covers topics within six broad planning goals, described this way:

— Delivering abundant, reliable, resilient, and clean energy through a diverse mix of energy sources and supply infrastructure, while supporting energy efficiency and load flexibility. As clean energy resources ramp up over time, the state will maintain adequate supplies of all major energy sources;

— Providing affordable energy to households and broad clean energy benefits to support continued prosperity, community and economic development, and an equitable energy transition. Policy and market solutions that help New Yorkers make energy-efficient choices and cut energy costs, matching programs to community needs, and inclusive engagement can help ensure that all communities benefit from the energy transition, including disadvantaged communities;

— Supporting economic growth, and the housing and jobs that come with it, and competitiveness by meeting the needs of large energy users and attracting new industry, including clean energy leaders, and investing in workforce development for high-quality clean energy jobs;

— Advancing energy innovation that fosters economic development and brings new technologies to market that will help enable New York’s energy transition, as well as reduce the cost and increase the variety of energy technologies and services; and

— Continuing progress toward decarbonization and clean energy economy, informed by public input on possible accelerated policy options and emerging technologies to understand which are appropriate for New York.

The New York State Energy Planning Board encourages New Yorkers to review the plan and consider attending and offering oral comments at one of the public hearings scheduled in August and September. The comment period runs through Oct. 6 and comments received during the public hearings and through written submissions made during the comment period will be given equal weight and consideration.

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Those who pre-register to provide oral comments will be given priority.