ALBANY, New York, US, April 25, 2007.
The state of New York will invest US$295 million for renewable energy projects.
A plan to reduce energy costs and curb pollution will focus on renewables, as well as energy efficiency and conservation as the keys to achieving economic and environmental goals. The goals include a 15% reduction in electricity consumption from 2015 forecast levels and siting legislation that will create an expedited review process for new windfarms and other power plants that have very low levels of carbon emissions.
“Nowhere is the need for a creative new approach more apparent than in our energy sector," says governor Eliot Spitzer. “We have some of the highest electricity costs in the nation and our thinking on energy policy is as outmoded as our aging power plants, but we can make real progress toward economic and environmental goals with a comprehensive program that focuses on energy efficiency and conservation, and investment in new technology.”
“If government buys fighter planes, we drive the military industrial complex; likewise, if government buys wind power, we drive the technology market for wind generators,” he explained. “By embracing ambitious energy efficiency standards and renewable energy goals throughout state government, we will catalyse the growth of the clean power industry.”
In a related action, Lt. Governor David Paterson said he will tour the state to inspect current renewable energy facilities and report on how the industry can be expanded. New York presents an “ideal environment for developers of clean, renewable power plants” because of its “abundance of wind, water and solar, positioning us to develop clean renewables as a greater part of our domestic energy supply.”
“Streamlined siting is vital; harnessing the full potential of the market by permitting long-term contracts is also critical but we must do more,” says Spitzer. “We must continue to make the investments needed to attract clean, renewable power plants to New York.”
A reduction of 1% in peak demand for electricity can reduce prices by 10%, he noted, and efficiency programs create or retain 1.5 jobs per year for every GWh saved.
“Clean energy does not represent a silver bullet for all of New York’s economic challenges but these new jobs will undeniably play a significant role in turning our economy around,” he adds. The impact of the proposals will result in annual carbon reductions of 12.8 Mt and, “if we are able to increase the amount of energy we get from clean, renewable sources, we will remove even more climate change-causing pollutants from the atmosphere.”
“By implementing this clean, efficient energy strategy, we are not only changing the status quo and addressing a chronic issue that has plagued Albany for years; we are implementing a practical strategy that will lower energy bills, address climate change, and create jobs,” he concluded.
