At Climate Week NYC, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Hydro‑Québec, and K&L Gates convened for a progress report on the energy transition. From development to finance and deployment, participants learned how major projects are progressing from the front lines. How can we work together to meet growing energy demand in North America and keep on track to meet our climate goals? Conversations explored recent changes to federal clean energy incentives, the impact of those changes on projects dealing with climate and sustainability, and how to navigate changes in sustainable investing metrics.

Highlights:

Featured policymakers: Moderated by David Skillman, K&L Gates, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) shared insights on prospects for permitting reform and energy tax credits in the aftermath of federal budget reconciliation. The policymakers called for bipartisan energy policy and also highlighted opportunities for public-private partnership at the state level.

New York State deployment: Moderated by Peter Rose, Hydro Québec and featuring Serge Abergel, Hydro Quebec; Bart Franey, National Grid; Nicholas Gonzalez, New York Power Authority; and Doreen Harris, NYSERDA. Panelists gave a progress report on the energy expansion in New York state, including the development of a new state energy plan and new hydropower projects coming online.

Clean energy from coast to coast: Moderated by Lisa Jacobson, BCSE, and featuring Chris Benjamin, Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Kim Hedegaard, Topsoe; Abby Hopper, Solar Energy Industries Association; and Lisa Wee, AVEVA. Speakers highlighted industry initiatives to expand supply changes, grow the energy workforce, and meet rising energy demand across the country.

Capital markets and material risk disclosures: Moderated by Dan Crowley, K&L Gates and featuring Peter Cashion, CalPERS; Robert Eccles, University of Oxford; and Elizabeth Seeger, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). Speakers discussed current opportunities and challenges in the ESG market amid political changes and new reporting obligations.