Zohran Mamdani's victory in the Democratic primary positions him as New York City's next mayor, raising hopes among clean energy advocates for advancing public renewables. Activists gathered in Brooklyn to celebrate his win and push the New York Power Authority to expand its clean energy plans. With state laws in place, the focus is on whether Mamdani can help meet ambitious 2030 goals.
On a chilly fall night in Brooklyn, union members, Democratic Socialists, scientists, and teachers attended the People’s Hearing for Public Renewables, celebrating Zohran Mamdani's Democratic primary win. Expected to become mayor, Mamdani has long supported the public-renewables campaign, which state Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes said was "instrumental in getting Zohran elected." The campaign, launched four years ago by progressive legislators including Mamdani—elected to the assembly in 2020—seeks an expanded public power system owned and regulated by community stakeholders, not corporations.
The New York Power Authority (NYPA), established in 1931, leads such efforts. In 2023, the legislature passed the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA), empowering NYPA to fast-track clean energy projects sufficient to power 70 percent of the state by 2030. In July, NYPA proposed building 7 gigawatts of solar and wind with battery storage. Critics, including BPRA supporters, argue this falls short, as the state comptroller reported in 2023 that renewables—then about 25 percent of energy, mostly hydroelectric—must triple to meet goals. Activists demand 15 gigawatts instead, especially with federal tax credits expiring in 2027.
NYPA's board will vote on its next strategic plan on December 9, with spokesperson Susan Craig noting it will update regularly. Johanna Bozuwa, executive director of the Climate and Communities Institute, called this a "key moment" to mobilize NYPA, adding, "If there was ever a moment for them to mobilize as quickly as possible, this is the one to do it."
As mayor, Mamdani cannot directly control NYPA but can influence city actions, such as requiring rooftop solar on municipal buildings, aligning zoning with clean energy priorities, and enforcing Local Law 97, which mandates large buildings halve emissions by 2030. His Green Schools plan could showcase decarbonization, with Bozuwa describing schools as "the charismatic megafauna of building decarbonization." NYPA already collaborates on solar panels for 47 schools, energy-efficient lighting saving $10 million annually, and induction stoves in 10,000 apartments. One major city project is a 10-megawatt solar array at a wastewater facility.
Challenges persist: a $5 billion to $8 billion city budget shortfall, potential federal aid cuts under President Donald Trump, and Governor Kathy Hochul's approval of a fracked gas pipeline three days after Mamdani's election. New York City relies more on fossil fuels due to transmission issues, missing its 2040 clean energy goal. Bozuwa emphasized, "We can’t disaggregate climate from cost of living," suggesting Mamdani frame climate policy as affordability. His first budget in February may signal progress.