New York

Hydrogen

San Francisco launched a hydrogen ferry. Now NYC may get one too.

After a successful run in California, the company behind the world’s first commercial hydrogen ferry is bringing clean, quiet marine transit to New York.

By Maria Gallucci .

3 September 2025

A boat that says "SF Bay Ferry" drives through the water in front of hills and a large bridge. — The hydrogen-powered Sea Change ferry navigates San Francisco Bay in July 2024. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Marine transport

NYC just launched its first hybrid-electric ferry

The Harbor Charger is now cruising New York Harbor, cutting down on CO2 and diesel pollution. The vessel joins a tiny but growing U.S. fleet of cleaner boats.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 August 2025
Batteries

NYC utility tests portable home batteries to dull AC’s impact on the grid

Con Ed connected power boxes to 65 customers’ AC units, allowing households to stay cool without plugging in during summer system overload.

By Samantha Maldonado, THE CITY . 12 August 2025
Carbon-free buildings

New York becomes first state to commit to all-electric new buildings

The state finalized rules ensuring most new edifices will install electric heat pumps and stoves instead of gas appliances, lowering costs and improving air quality.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 July 2025
Policy & regulation

New York to scale back key energy-efficiency program

Empower+ helps New Yorkers insulate their homes, get new boilers, and make other efficiency upgrades. The state could cut its funding by nearly two-thirds.

By Colin Kinniburgh . 22 July 2025
Fossil fuels

New Yorkers to stop paying for other people’s gas hookups under new bill

For decades, utility customers in the state paid the costs of connecting new buildings to nearby gas lines. Legislators just passed a bill to end the practice.

By Alison F. Takemura . 25 June 2025
Offshore wind

A timeline of Trump’s failed attempt to kill Empire Wind

Trump officials will allow the New York offshore wind farm to resume construction, backing down from a controversial stop-work order and months of attacks.

By Clare Fieseler . 20 May 2025
Offshore wind

‘Nobody’s seen it’: An elusive report could drive Empire Wind to collapse

Sen. Chuck Schumer, Equinor, and Interior staff say Trump officials refuse to share NOAA documents that are the basis for Empire Wind’s costly stop-work order.

By Clare Fieseler . 16 May 2025
Offshore wind

Trump’s Empire Wind freeze threatens South Brooklyn jobs and economy

An offshore wind hub could revive a working-class neighborhood — but only if the project withstands Trump’s attacks. The community is pushing back.

By Clare Fieseler . 24 April 2025
Heat pumps

Meet one of NYC’s first housing co-ops to electrify heating and cooling

The 1962 building hit its emissions reduction targets well ahead of Local Law 97's first reporting deadline on May 1. Here’s how.

By Alison F. Takemura . 22 April 2025
Food and farms

NYC hospitals are nudging patients toward plant-based meals. It's working.

New York City is cutting emissions and saving money by making vegetarian meals the default in public hospitals. It's successful because most people go with the flow.

By Michael Grunwald . 16 April 2025