{{Short description|CEO of the New York Power Authority}}
{{Short description|CEO of the New York Power Authority}}
[[File:J Driscoll BNEF.png|thumb|Driscoll, New York, 2024]]
[[File: Driscoll.|thumb|Driscoll, 2024]]
”’Justin E. Driscoll”’ is president and [[CEO]] of the [[New York Power Authority]], the largest state-owned [[Electric power industry|electric utility]] in the United States, with 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA is the 32nd largest utility in the country and the 9th cleanest. Under Driscoll’s leadership, NYPA is leading the largest transformation of the state’s power grid in 40 years.
”’Justin E. Driscoll”’ is president and [[CEO]] of the [[New York Power Authority]], the largest government-owned [[Electric power industry|electric utility]] in the United States.
In 2025, the Power Authority earned a #3 ranking on Forbes’ List of [https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelpeachman/2025/05/20/meet-americas-best-employers-for-new-grads-2025/ America’s Best] [https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelpeachman/2025/05/20/meet-americas-best-employers-for-new-grads-2025/ Employers for New Grads] <ref>{{Cite web |last=Peachman |first=Rachel Rabkin |title=Meet America’s Best Employers For New Grads 2025 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelpeachman/2025/05/20/meet-americas-best-employers-for-new-grads-2025/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>after Microsoft and Google, as well as rankings on the Forbes’ lists of [https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-midsize-employers/ America’s Best Employer for Women], [https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-by-state/ America’s Best Employers by] [https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-by-state/ State], and [https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-midsize-employers/ America’s Best Midsize Employers in 2025]
== Career ==
In January 2025, Driscoll proposed the Power Authority’s first-ever Renewables Strategic Plan, which outlined 37 projects across New York with a combined capacity exceeding 3 gigawatts. In July 2025, NYPA published its draft update to expand new renewable capacity even further: <ref>{{Cite web |title=NYPA Publishes Draft of Updated Renewables Strategic Plan, Expanding Renewable Energy Opportunities to Nearly 7 GW of Combined Capacity {{!}} American Public Power Association |url=https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/nypa-publishes-draft-updated-renewables-strategic-plan-expanding-renewable-energy-opportunities |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=www.publicpower.org}}</ref>the revised draft calls for 7 gigawatts—enough to potentially power approximately 7 million homes. Driscoll emphasized NYPA’s commitment to building a “diverse, zero emission power portfolio” as reported by the [https://www.timesunion.com/capitol/article/ny-power-authority-doubles-renewable-energy-20793513.php Times Union].
Driscoll oversees the New York Power Authority (NYPA)’s thousands of circuit-miles of high-voltage transmission and 17 generation facilities. He directs the public benefit corporation’s function as a project developer and energy supplier for its state customers, including [[New York City]], the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]], [[New York City Housing Authority|NYCHA]], the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|MTA]], state agencies and local governments.<ref name=NYPA>{{cite web|url=https://www.nypa.gov/about/leadership/justin-driscoll|title=Home About Leadership Justin Driscoll|website=NYPA}}</ref>
Before becoming the company’s CEO, Driscoll was their interim CEO, and was recommended to the position in 2013 by the NYPA board themsleves appointed by the [[Governor of New York|New York governor]].<ref name=TNR>{{cite news|url=https://newrepublic.com/post/173409/kathy-hochul-pushing-republican-driscoll-new-york-public-energy-sector|title=Kathy Hochul Wants a Republican to Lead New York’s Energy Sector|publisher=The New Republic|date=8 June 2023}}</ref> Prior to that Driscoll was a partner at private law firm Brown & Weintraub where he specialized in “government relations, [[litigation]], and [[public finance]]” per [[Westchester Magazine|”Westchester” magazine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://westchestermagazine.com/archive/bcw-names-hall-of-fame-and-wca-board-blossoms/|title=BCW Names Hall of Fame and WCA Board Blossoms|publisher=Westchester magazine|date=16 February 2023}}</ref>
In June 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul asked Driscoll and NYPA<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Urban Green |date=2025-08-05 |title=The future of New York nuclear power (w/ Justin Driscoll) |url=https://www.urbangreencouncil.org/the-future-of-new-york-nuclear-power-w-justin-driscoll/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Urban Green Council |language=en-US}}</ref> to develop at least 1 gigawatt of advanced nuclear capacity facility in upstate New York to support growing energy demand<ref>{{Cite web |title=Axios Generate |url=https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-generate-be826ff0-52ab-11f0-967c-49aff955d707?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref>. Driscoll is working alongside labor and workforce development leaders to ensure New York has the workforce to support the building and operating new nuclear facilities.
NYPA is the United States’ largest government-owned electric utility.<ref name=NYPA/> An early opponent to the [[Build Public Renewables Act]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesunion.com/capitol/article/hochul-s-nominee-head-ny-power-authority-falls-18144725.php|title=Hochul’s nominee to head NY Power Authority falls flat in state Senate|publisher=[[Times Union (Albany)|Times Union]]|date=9 June 2023}}</ref> Driscoll, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]],<ref name=TNR/> faced resistance to his confirmation from [[New York City Democratic Socialists of America|New York City socialist]]s and the Public Power NY coalition in 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2023/08/10/socialists-power-authority-boss-00110465|publisher=Politico|title=Socialists wanted him to resign. They lost.|date=10 August 2023}}</ref>
Under Driscoll’s tenure, the organization has embraced an era of rapid expansion, clean-energy development, and modernization, driven by ambitious state climate goals. Driscoll is frequently recognized as a leader<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz |first=Peter |date=2024-11-21 |title=Honors for Westchester leaders at WCA event |url=https://westfaironline.com/combined/honors-for-westchester-leaders-at-wca-event/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Westfair Communications |language=en-US}}</ref> and trailblazer<ref>{{Cite web |last=City & State |date=2024-12-16 |title=The 2024 Trailblazers in Economic Development |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/2024/12/2024-trailblazers-economic-development/401560/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=City & State NY |language=en}}</ref> in New York State’s economic development and energy transformation, and is thirteenth on the Energy & Environment Power 100 list by City & State NY. His leadership in modernizing infrastructure and championing clean energy innovation positions him among the state’s key figures driving economic and environmental progress.
Guided by Driscoll, the Power Authority has received national awards for innovation including the Public Utilities Fortnightly Top Innovator in Electrification award, the Energy Innovator Award from APPA, and several EPRI Technology Transfer Awards<ref>{{Cite web |title=NYPA Employees Recognized With EPRI Technology Transfer Awards {{!}} Informed Infrastructure |url=https://informedinfrastructure.com/99413/nypa-employees-recognized-with-epri-technology-transfer-awards/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> from EPRI. In 2025, the Power Authority was also recertified under the new standard of asset management established by the International Organization for Standardization the ISO-55001, the ‘gold standard’ for conformance with best practices in the utility industry for asset management.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Power Authority Receives Prestigious International Asset Management Certification {{!}} American Public Power Association |url=https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/new-york-power-authority-receives-prestigious-international-asset-management-certification#:~:text=The%20certification%20also%20recognizes%20that,under%20the%20new%202024%20standard. |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=www.publicpower.org}}</ref> NYPA is the first utility in North America to be ISO 55001certified.
Driscoll graduated from [[American University]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] and attended [[New York University School of Law|NYU School of Law]]. He received his [[law degree]] from [[New York Law School]], a private law school.<ref name=NYPA/>
==Personal life==
== Board Service ==
Driscoll grew up near [[Albany, New York|Albany]] and resides in [[Rye, New York]] with his wife. The couple have three children and four grandchildren and have lived in [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester County]] for over 30 years.<ref>https://ryerecord.com/rye-resident-driscoll-powers-new-york/</ref>
Driscoll serves on multiple boards and advisory councils<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justin E. Driscoll |url=https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Board-Governance/Board-Members/Justin-E-Driscoll |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=NYSERDA |language=en}}</ref>, including [[Electric Power Research Institute|EPRI]], the [[Alliance to Save Energy]], the [[New York State Energy Research and Development Authority|New York]] [[New York State Energy Research and Development Authority|State Energy Research and Development Authority]] (NYSERDA), the [https://gridwise.org GridWise Alliance], the [https://www.urbangreencouncil.org Urban Green Council of New York City], and the [https://www.lppc.org Large Public Power Council].
Driscoll graduated from [[American University]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] and holds a bachelor’s degree from the School of Public Affairs. He received his [[law degree]] from [[New York Law School]], a private law school<ref name=”NYPA”>{{cite web |title=Home About Leadership Justin Driscoll |url=https://www.nypa.gov/about/leadership/justin-driscoll |website=NYPA}}</ref> and attended [[New York University]] School of Law Master of Laws (LLM) program in trade regulation. He is a member of the New York City Bar Association and the Energy Bar Association.
==References==
==References==
CEO of the New York Power Authority
Justin E. Driscoll is president and CEO of the New York Power Authority, the largest government-owned electric utility in the United States.
Driscoll oversees the New York Power Authority (NYPA)’s thousands of circuit-miles of high-voltage transmission and 17 generation facilities. He directs the public benefit corporation’s function as a project developer and energy supplier for its state customers, including New York City, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NYCHA, the MTA, state agencies and local governments.[1]
Before becoming the company’s CEO, Driscoll was their interim CEO, and was recommended to the position in 2013 by the NYPA board themsleves appointed by the New York governor.[2] Prior to that Driscoll was a partner at private law firm Brown & Weintraub where he specialized in “government relations, litigation, and public finance” per Westchester magazine.[3]
NYPA is the United States’ largest government-owned electric utility.[1] An early opponent to the Build Public Renewables Act,[4] Driscoll, a Republican,[2] faced resistance to his confirmation from New York City socialists and the Public Power NY coalition in 2023.[5]
Driscoll graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and attended NYU School of Law. He received his law degree from New York Law School, a private law school.[1]
Driscoll grew up near Albany and resides in Rye, New York with his wife. The couple have three children and four grandchildren and have lived in Westchester County for over 30 years.[6]
