Advancing the clean energy economy: Highlights from this week's State of the State address

This week's State of the State address by Governor David Paterson reiterated his commitment to transition NYS to a clean energy economy.  The address focused on ways to prromote energy efficiency and conservation throughout the state, identify promising areas for state research and development, review state policies and regulations affecting development of renewable, and alternative energy and develop programs to grow clean energy industries. 

Among the highlights:

• Submit legislation to "green" the State's energy code
• Submit legislation to adopt minimum energy efficiency standards
• Develop a "stretch" code that municipalities can voluntarily adopt
• Submit legislation to improve the net metering law to make it more attractive for commercial customers
• Issue at least two solicitations for large-scale renewable energy projects under the expanded Renewable Portfolio Standard
• Inventory State-owned properties that are suitable for renewable energy installations
• Provide incentives through NYSERDA to encourage bioheating systems, solar thermal and geothermal
• Ensure environmental safeguards related to natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale reserves
• Prepare a Climate Action Plan that will identify how to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
• Inventory existing transportation corridor rights of way that could be used for new energy infrastructure
• Commence Smart Grid demonstration projects
• Foster the development of clean energy incubators and regional clean energy clusters to accelerate technology commercialization
• Begin making clean energy job training curriculum standard in all SUNY and CUNY schools
• Dedicate funding from the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard for pathways out of poverty programs to train workers for clean energy jobs
• Submit legislation for a longer term replacement to the Power for Jobs program that will also encourage energy efficiency
• Help local governments become Climate Smart Communities

Together, these initiatives are designed to stimulate innovation in the clean energy economy and help the State's manufacturing base and local communities transition to a low-carbon future.  Governor Paterson has been a long proponent of a clean energy economy -- leading the State's Task Force on Renewable Energy when he was Lt. Governor:  http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/0626073.html