Other measures included making renewable fuels available at service
stations all across the state, starting with the Thruway and to make the
renewable fuels used in automobiles "tax-free" throughout the entire
State. To help meet this fuel demand, the Governor called for the
establishment of ethanol refineries in the state.
Two new biofuel production facilities are already in various stages of
development in Fulton and Seneca Falls, according to the New York Farm
Bureau, which congratulated the Governor on his proposals.
"The farming community of New York has long supported the development of
biofuels and reduced dependence on foreign fuels," said John Lincoln,
president of New York Farm Bureau. "We're glad to see it continue to be a
top priority with the governor."
The Governor also called for the development of efficient hybrid vehicles
that can actually be plugged in at home or alternatively run on renewable
biofuels. So-called plug-in hybrids have been seen as a way to incorporate
efficient hybrid electric vehicles with the power from distributed
renewable energy projects like solar photovoltaic systems on homes and
businesses.
Many, if not all, of the measures would need to be accomplished through
the State Legislature but the Governor's suggestions help give them weight
moving forward.
"Governor Pataki knows that wind power and other renewable energy projects
will help clean our environment and create hundreds of jobs, particularly
in upstate New York," said Charles C. Hinckley, CEO of Noble Environmental
Power, a wind power project development company. "We applaud the Governor
for his vision and look forward to working with the state and our local
government partners to achieve this worthy goal."
Noble Environmental has seven projects planned for construction in 2006
and 2007, totaling more than 700 MW. Four of these projects are on
schedule for completion in 2006 -- Clinton, Ellenburg and Altona in the
North Country, and Bliss in Wyoming County. All seven projects are
currently in the New York State Independent System Operator's
interconnection queue.
Included in the Governor's comments for renewable energy use was also the
suggestion the state create "shovel-ready" sites and help finance advance
"clean" coal power plants.