August 10, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON RELEASES DRAFT PLAN TO GUIDE NEW YORK TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY
State Energy Plan Will be a Path to More Affordable Energy for New Yorkers
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the New York State Energy Planning Board has prepared a comprehensive draft State Energy Plan, the first step in redefining how the State approaches and satisfies its energy needs. The draft Plan identifies strategies and provides recommendations that once implemented will make energy more reliable, secure and affordable for New Yorkers, address the threat of climate change and result in a cleaner environment. This will grow New York’s clean energy economy, a core component of Governor Paterson’s New Economy Jobs Plan, and is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in New York. The State Energy Planning Board is now soliciting public input on the draft Plan that will aid in the development of the final Plan.
“We need to make energy more affordable for New Yorkers, and we need to do it in a way that recognizes that the country is moving towards a carbon-constrained economy. The draft Plan is a good step toward this goal,” said Governor Paterson. “We will ensure that New York leads the nation in advancing clean energy, that we put New Yorkers to work and that we keep more of our energy dollars in-State.”
The draft Plan is built around five overarching strategies that will help the State meet multiple public policy objectives. The strategies are to:
- Produce, deliver and use energy more efficiently;
- Support the development of in-State energy supplies;
- Invest in energy and transportation infrastructure to support policy objectives;
- Stimulate innovation in energy technologies to support the transition to a clean energy economy; and
- Engage communities, local governments, neighboring states, and the federal government in energy-related activities.
The draft Plan identifies a number of specific policy initiatives that set forth a vision for a robust and innovative clean energy economy that will stimulate investment, create jobs and meet the energy needs of residents and businesses over the next ten years. Some examples include:
- Implement Governor Paterson’s “45 by 15” initiative to both reduce electricity use by 15 percent below 2015 forecasts and increase the proportion of renewable generation to 30 percent of electricity demand by 2015.
- Develop a Climate Action Plan in accordance with Executive Order No. 24 to identify strategies, actions and infrastructure needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
- Foster collaboration among academia, research and development organizations, national laboratories, and private businesses and industry to accelerate the commercialization of emerging clean energy technologies by New York-based firms.
- Ensure energy efficiency programs reach low income customers who are particularly vulnerable to rising energy prices.
- Increase the efficiency of New York’s electric system through expanded demand response programs, deployment of “smart grid” technologies and real time pricing rate structures.
- Encourage development and use of sustainably produced biomass as a source for liquid fuels to displace heating oil and gasoline.
- Provide and enhance mechanisms for early, fair and meaningful public involvement in energy-related decisions.
- Encourage development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation with environmental safeguards that are protective of water supplies and natural resources.
The draft Plan was prepared pursuant to Executive Order No. 2 issued by Governor Paterson in April 2008, and a final Plan that incorporates public input will be delivered in the fall. The Planning Board will solicit public feedback on the draft Plan through a 60-day written comment period and nine scheduled public meetings, which will be held over the next seven weeks.
Thomas Congdon, Deputy Secretary for Energy and Chair of the State Energy Planning Board, said: “Because of Governor Paterson’s leadership, New York is on a path to lead the nation in the clean energy economy. The draft Plan is the product of over 18 months of analysis and critical review, several dozen meetings with interested parties and stakeholders, four Planning Board meetings and review of written comments. The Board is looking forward to hearing from the public on the work to date, and we will consider their input as we develop the final Plan.”
The complete draft State Energy Plan and full schedule of public hearings is available at http://www.nysenergyplan.com/.
