Green Innovations

Developing renewable and clean technology companies in New York

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

NYS adopts State Energy Plan today: A green roadmap to transition to the clean energy economy


Governor David A. Paterson today accepted the final 2009 State Energy Plan from the New York State Energy Planning Board. The Energy Plan provides a comprehensive blueprint for New York to continue to transition to a clean energy economy and outlines policy initiatives in five core areas:

1.   Continue to expand opportunities to improve energy efficiency, the cleanest, cheapest energy resource.
2.   Support the development of in-State energy supplies.
3.   Encourage investment in, and identify future needs for, energy infrastructure.
4.   Stimulate innovation in the clean energy economy and transition to a low-carbon future.
5.   Improve coordination between the State, other governments, and communities.


Among the specific initiatives that the Governor will propose in 2010 include:
  • Improving coordination and expanding energy efficiency and renewable energy programs across the State in support of the Governor’s ‘45 by 15’ clean energy goal. 
  • Submitting legislation that will establish a power plant siting process that will provide greater certainty to developers and greater opportunities for public involvement. 
  • Submitting legislation to establish a long-term Power for Jobs program and developing new selection criteria that encourage energy efficiency. 
  • Submitting legislation to “green” the State’s energy code and removing loopholes that have limited the code’s effectiveness. 
  • Working with the New York Power Authority to procure another 100 megawatts of solar energy statewide. 
  • Working with NYPA to bring to fruition an offshore wind project in the Great Lakes following the issuance of its RFP in December 2009. 
  • Ensuring stringent environmental safeguards are in place for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale gas reserves. 
  • Releasing a Climate Action Plan that will identify strategies to achieve an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas pollution by 2050. 
  • Establishing incentives to repower existing power plants to reduce emissions and increase power output.
These initiatives are expected to continue to accelerate the growth of the clean tech marketplace in NYS.

The complete 2009 State Energy Plan, which includes a detailed implementation table and 16 in-depth issue briefs and assessments, is available at:  www.nysenergyplan.com