New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Dec. 24 that
$250m is available for a broad range of renewable
energy generation projects as part of his Energy
Highway Blueprint that has the goal of upgrading and
modernizing New York’s aging energy infrastructure.
Funding for these renewable projects is administered
by the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA) through the state's
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), and is targeted
to projects that use wind, hydroelectric, solar,
biomass or other clean-energy resources. The
projects will not only help expand the state’s
renewable energy portfolio but will assist the state
in reducing its carbon footprint.
“As New York State looks to upgrade and improve its
energy infrastructure, renewable energy will play an
even greater role in providing power that is more
reliable, efficient and environmentally
sustainable,” said Cuomo. “Through the RPS, the
state is investing in its future. These projects
will not only help diversify New York’s renewable
energy portfolio, but also provide economic
development opportunities across the state.”
The RPS funding will be awarded competitively, with
recipients expected to be announced by summer 2013.
“The RPS program has allowed New York State to
expand its clean-energy economy by attracting
private investment in these medium and large
renewable energy projects, which are creating jobs
and providing environmental benefits for local
communities,” said Francis Murray Jr., President and
CEO of NYSERDA.
“The generation of electricity from renewable
sources increases energy diversity and promotes a
better environment for us all,” said Public Service
Commission Chairman Garry Brown. “Developing
renewable resources, along with our energy
efficiency efforts, provides our best hope toward
ending dependency on fossil fuels, improving
regional economies, reducing harmful emissions, and
enabling all of us to gain greater control of our
energy future. The Renewable Portfolio Standard
ensures that the success of the state’s renewable
energy program continues unabated.”
The RPS program is expected to yield significant
economic benefits to the state. Over the next 20
years, the direct benefits from the projects
currently within the RPS program are expected to
approach $2.4bn, and the effects on the broader
economy are estimated at more than $4.9bn, the state
noted.
Under the RPS program, NYSERDA has current Main Tier
contracts with 54 large-scale renewable electricity
generators. These projects include two biomass
facilities, 10 landfill biogas operations, 25
hydroelectric facilities and 17 wind farms.
Barry Cassell is chief analyst, coal sector,
GenerationHub
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