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.
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
