Albany, NY — On the 20th anniversary of the 2003 New York City blackout, Empire Center fellow James E. Hanley issued the following statement.

“The historic blackout laid bare the fragility of New York’s electric grid—yet to date, New York policymakers have given little attention to the increasing risk of power shortages created by the state’s climate and energy policy.” said James E. Hanley, fellow at the Empire Center. “The New York Independent System Operator has recently warned that the City faces a high risk of blackouts again in 2025. The anniversary of the country’s largest blackout is a good time to reflect on the need to prioritize a reliable energy supply for the prosperity and safety of all New Yorkers.”

The Empire Center, based in Albany, is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to promoting policies that can make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family.

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