Climate Jobs Institute Explores the Future of New York’s Energy Grid at SOMOS New York Conference
On Saturday, March 8th, from 3:15pm - 4:30pm, Cornell ILR’s Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) will co-host a panel discussion at the 2025 SOMOS Inc New York Conference. The panel, titled “Planning for our Future: The Importance of Developing a Climate-Resilient Energy Grid,” aligns with the conference’s broader theme, “Justice in Action.” Attendees will learn about strategies for advancing equity and empowering underserved communities in the context of climate resilience.
In the wake of devastating climate-related disasters, including the recent California wildfires, the conversation will emphasize the critical need for grid resilience. Panelists will share insights and lessons learned from Con Edison’s vital role in Puerto Rico’s recovery after Hurricane Maria. The discussion will also highlight efforts to ensure equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers as the state moves towards a more resilient and sustainable energy grid.
Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia (Assembly District 86) is the sponsor and moderator of the panel, featuring expert voices:
- Nelson Yip, Director of Strategic Planning, Con Edison
- Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV)
- Robert Freudenberg, Vice President of Energy and Environmental Programs, Regional Plan Association (RPA)
- Melissa Shetler, Assistant Director of Labor Outreach and Workforce Equity, Cornell ILR’s Climate Jobs Institute
A key topic of the session will be Thermal Energy Networks (TENs), a promising technology for building decarbonization. TENs provide heating and cooling for entire neighborhoods without emitting CO2, offering a pathway to both efficiency and equity in the clean energy transition. The panelists will discuss the essential roles that utilities and unionized workers are already playing—and will continue to play—in scaling this critical technology.
To learn more about TENs, check out CJI's primer, authored by research and policy development associate Reyna Cohen: “Understanding Thermal Energy Networks: A Building Decarbonization Approach to Achieving Scale, Equity, and High-Quality Union Jobs.”