No one said it would be easy. When New York state passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, one of the most sweeping climate change laws in the nation, its proponents knew transitioning to a zero-emissions electric system by 2040 would be a challenge.

As the state approaches the act's five-year anniversary, about 50% of the state's annual energy supply comes from zero emissions sources—progress to be sure, but still a long way to 100%. Large-scale renewable energy and major transmissions projects currently in development will help close that gap. But as the transition advances, grid reliability concerns have emerged.