Build the Backbone First: Why New York Must Modernize Its Grid Now

By Kim Harriman & Esther Rosario | April 29, 2026

As New York debates the feasibility and timing of its clean energy targets under the CLCPA, one reality stands above the rest: regardless of where policymakers land, the state must build a modern, resilient electric grid.

Demand for electricity is rising for the first time in decades, driven by electrification, economic growth, and new industries. At the same time, much of New York’s grid, one of the oldest in the nation, is being pushed beyond what it was designed to handle. Balancing affordability with reliability is essential, but delaying foundational grid investments will ultimately cost more and put both economic growth and energy security at risk. We cannot question whether to invest; instead, let’s find a plan for how quickly we can make strategic investments.

Our investment strategy must start with transmission. New York can look to red-leaning states for a clear lesson: build the backbone first. Over the past two decades, red states have invested aggressively in transmission, building thousands of miles of high-voltage lines in just a few years. That buildout unlocks gigawatts of renewable energy and allows projects to come online faster and at lower cost. By contrast, transmission development in New York often takes significantly longer, frequently a decade or more from planning to completion, delaying projects and increasing costs for consumers.

Red states did not wait for perfect policy alignment or technological certainty. They focused on building the system needed to power its future. That proactive approach has helped attract new industries, support population growth, and integrate renewable energy efficiently. Red states teach us that transmission infrastructure must come first.

Without the ability to move clean electricity where and when it is needed, innovation cannot scale. New technologies hold enormous promise, but they depend on a grid that is flexible, resilient, and capable of carrying far more power than it does today.

Building that grid also means building it the right way with a highly skilled workforce. Governor Hochul and the state enshrined labor standards for clean energy projects into law; as a result, we can create family-sustaining union jobs every time we support critical grid investments. From lineworkers and engineers to construction crews and skilled tradespeople, these are local jobs that cannot be outsourced and strengthen communities while delivering the infrastructure New Yorkers depend on.

This is why continued investment from New York’s utilities is so critical. Utilities are responsible for maintaining and strengthening the grid that powers homes, businesses, and essential services. A stronger grid improves reliability during extreme weather, enables economic expansion, and ensures the state can adapt as new energy technologies emerge.

Albany’s policy debates are important, but the need to modernize the grid transcends any single timeline or mandate. The longer we wait, the more expensive and difficult the work becomes.

Whatever mix of energy resources New York ultimately relies on, none of it will succeed without a grid capable of delivering it. If New York wants to remain a national leader, it must follow a simple principle: build the backbone first.

Kim Harriman, Deputy CEO, Avangrid and Esther Rosario, Executive Director of Climate Jobs NY