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State energy pathway · New York

Start with the energy systems shaping New York.

47% of New York's electricity comes from natural gas. Most new wind and hydroelectric capacity is in the north and offshore. Carrying power from where it is generated to the densest population corridor requires new transmission infrastructure and system upgrades. That infrastructure challenge gives New York students a direct way to understand why transmission, system design, and tradeoffs define the real work of modernizing the grid.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

Why Energy Matters in New York

Upstate-Downstate Transmission

New York's hydroelectric plants dominate upstate generation (Robert Moses at Niagara Falls is the 4th-largest hydro plant in the US), but wind and solar capacity is growing upstate too. Most of the state's electricity demand is concentrated downstate near New York City; new transmission lines must carry upstate generation to meet that demand. Students who study that challenge learn why grid upgrades are as important as new generation when the source mix changes.

Grid Modernization Tradeoffs

47% of New York's electricity still comes from natural gas, but the state's climate law (CLCPA) requires 70% renewable power by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. The state must replace that generation supply in less than five years and keep reliable power flowing to 20 million residents in the densest urban centers in the nation. Students who analyze that tradeoff learn how states turn climate policy into real engineering decisions with enormous stakes.

Latimer Energy Academy helps students in New York test the tradeoffs that define large-scale grid transformation so the infrastructure decisions around them become something they can reason through.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

Start here for New York

The Microgrid: Optimization & Resilience

New York's massive grid overhaul connecting upstate renewables to downstate demand makes multi-variable tradeoff design the most relevant starting point for students thinking about real infrastructure choices.

Mission spotlight

Tradeoff Tuning

Students vary system design parameters and compare outcomes, mirroring the competing-priority reasoning that drives New York's transmission and grid planning decisions.

Included in LEA curriculum

Pilot proof

Students enjoy the work because it feels real.

In January 2026, 39 fourth-grade students in Indianapolis completed every lesson from start to finish — coding real pocket computers (microcontrollers), collecting live energy readings, and presenting findings to an audience.

4.6/5

Student enjoyment

72% of students gave it a 5-star rating

100%

Reported learning something new

Every student who took the survey said they learned something new

39

Students completed the entire course

Every student finished all five lessons, coded a pocket computer (microcontroller), and presented findings

Available to book today

Book the support that fits New York.

Whether you want to get LEA into the hands of students this semester, plan for a pilot next year, or just learn more about the state-specific approach, you can book a session with our team to get the support you need.

School or district consultation

Review the state-specific entry point, pilot scope, and what implementation would look like for your classrooms.

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Founder-led instruction session

Bring Dr. Naeem Turner-Bandele in to teach a project and show what high-quality facilitation looks like with students.

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Family or community guidance

Get help choosing the right starting point for home learning, after-school use, or a community organization rollout.

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Utility or business partnership call

Discuss local workforce relevance, territory fit, and how we can collaborate to support energy education in your community.

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Find your path

Choose your next step based on how you want to use LEA in New York.

Select your path below to see the approach designed for how you will use LEA in New York — whether you run a classroom, lead a school, or support a student at home.

Find the right starting point