NYC's Dirty Secret: Peaker Plants and the Slow Clean Energy Transition

New York City's energy demand is outpacing clean energy investments, forcing reliance on polluting peaker plants. These plants, fired by oil or natural gas, quickly meet peak demand but are inefficient and heavily polluting. While slated for phase-out, decarbonization goals, electric vehicle adoption, and electric home heating are increasing demand. Challenges include battery storage limitations due to tariffs and delays in offshore wind projects. High energy costs and potential rate hikes exacerbate the problem, highlighting the slow and complex transition to cleaner energy in NYC. The plants' location in low-income communities further underscores the environmental injustice.