Shawn Lesser, president and founder of Sustainable World Capital and co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association and Joe Daniels, partner and chair of the emerging companies and venture capital group at Hodgson Russ, LLP co-wrote an article on the
CleanTechies blog honoring New York State as a leader in clean technology and highlighted ten reasons why New York State is step above the rest.
The top ten reasons given are:
1. State Investments in Cleantech: The Office of the New York State Comptroller has committed $500 million to be invested over 3 years in cleantech funds through its Green Strategic Investment Program. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) annually finances $600 million in programs to advance the uses of energy and environmental efficient technology and renewable energy sources in ways that promote sustainable economic development. For instance, NYSERDA recently committed $250 million in funding for electric generation projects using wind, hydroelectric, biomass or other clean-energy resources. New York State also recently committed $25 million to the New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium (NY-BEST) to create a nationally-recognized center for energy storage technology research and development. Its efforts have been validated by GE Global Research’s recent investment of $250 million on advanced battery research and manufacturing facilities near Albany.
2. State Incentives for Green Business: The State of New York offers many incentives to businesses that elect to go green, including a personal tax credit of up to two million dollars per building over a period of five years to buildings that meet different “green” standards, property tax incentives such as property tax abatements for photovoltaic equipment expenditures, exemptions for solar, wind, and biomass energy systems, state rebate programs, utility rebate programs for companies that practice energy conservation and efficiency, industry recruitments and support, and economic recovery funding.
3. Increased Employment Opportunities: New York’s Renewable Energy Task Force has concluded that more than 43,000 jobs would be created in the process of shifting only 25 percent of the state’s electricity needs to production by renewable means. In July 2009, in order to grow the cleantech sector and create jobs in NYC, NYSERDA provided a $1.5 million grant to the New York Accelerator for a Renewable Economy (NYC ACRE). NYC-ACRE is now an accelerator for promising cleantech entrepreneurs that provides extensive co-located resources along with physical space, and houses numerous successful cleantech companies. Because of recent job losses throughout New York State due to the recent recession, this and other efforts to increase cleantech job opportunities could not have come at a better time.
4. Renewable Energy Task Force and Plan: The Renewable Energy Task Force consists of a number of stakeholders in the field of renewable energy as well as alternative fuel industries, public utilities, agricultural and environmental communities, state and local governments, and energy policy experts, with a goal to increase the development of renewable energy and energy independence to attract the investment of clean energy industries into New York State. The Plan includes reducing electricity use by 15% from forecasted levels in 2015, new standards in appliance efficiency, creation of stronger energy-related codes for buildings, and investment into projects around the state dealing with renewable energy.
5. Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Reduction: Because of the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of energy independence, renewable energy, and energy efficiency, New York State has been involved in several major programs to increase the impact of cleantech in the state. These programs include the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (the nation’s first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program), The Climate Registry, adoption of California State vehicle emission standards, climate smart communities, the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015), Green Buildings, and the NYSERDA Adaption Study on climate change.
6. New York Energy Smart Program: Created by NYSERDA, the New York Energy Smart Program was designed to increase the impact of renewable energy on all walks of life to reduce energy usage as well as costs. It provides energy efficient programs for owners of existing homes and new homes, low and medium income renters and homeowners, multifamily buildings, teachers, studies, businesses, and individuals interested in purchasing products to assist with energy efficiency. This program has an outreach program, energy education, clean energy training, and where to go to purchase energy efficient products.
7. Moving Toward Increased Use of Renewable Energy in New York City: New York City is the largest city in the United States and the fourth largest in the world by population. As such, it uses a vast amount of electricity every day, and has been very actively looking for ways to lower electricity bills by decreasing its electricity usage and increasing its use of renewable energy. For instance, the New York City Economic Development Corporation released a Request for Expressions of Interest to develop new and innovative ideas to assist the city in the development of renewable energy sources, including off-shore wind farms, wind turbines on bridges and skyscrapers, and using tidal, geothermal, and solar power.
8. The MTA is Going Green: With the recent investment into green businesses and the large number of investments into renewable energy, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, known by most as the MTA, has created plans for a number of cleantech initiatives such as green roofs, wind and solar power, water management and regenerative braking. The MTA runs the New York City subway, rail, and bus systems, which require more than 600 megawatts of energy per day. Because of its increased emphasis on becoming more energy efficient, the MTA stands to save hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. One of the things the MTA is looking into is generating roughly 14% of its total power from the use of wind turbines and tidal energy
10. Creation of Multiple New York Non-Profits: More groups are being created to assist in driving the overall impact of renewable energy in New York. For example, the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY) works to promote the usage of renewable clean electricity technologies and efficiency throughout the state. Its goals are to increase energy security and diversity, increase overall economic development, greatly improve public health, and decrease total air pollution.
For the full article visit
http://blog.cleantechies.com/2011/02/09/ten-top-reasons-new-york-state-is-a-cleantech-leader/.
Anthony Malkin, the owner of New York City's iconic empire state building, has recently invested $20 million to retrofit the building for energy efficiency. The retrofits, which were originally discussed in a post on October 15th, have reduced the building's energy consumption by 38%, and are expected to pay for themselves over the next five years. In addition the retrofits are projected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 100,000 tons over a 15 year period.
The New York State Senate has recently passed legislation to create "Recharge NY", a program aimed at creating/retaining jobs by providing businesses with low-cost power. With energy rates nearly twice as high as those in other states, the program has the potential to revive New York's economy and restore countless manufacturing jobs that have been lost to the competitive advantage of other states. 
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has announced its Customer-Sited Tier Fuel Cell Program, which gives up to $1 million for hospitals, schools, companies and other large users of electricity to install fuel cells.
Syracuse was chosen to be one of 24 cities to receive IBM's Smarter Cities Grant. The grant, which is worth up to $400,000, sends up to 10 IBM experts to Syracuse to develop a software-based planning tool to combat the problem of vacant properties in Syracuse, a problem designated by city officials. The team of experts plan to do this by blending information about a wide range of factors like crime rates, poverty, tree cover, trash collection, etc. to predict problems with vacant housing and efficiently allocate resources. The city expects work on the project to start next fall.
With a mandate to develop innovations in advanced materials processing and transfer them to business and industry, The Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP) at Clarkson University has created immense economic benefits for the state of New York. Over its 10 years of operation, CAMP has created $275 million in economic benefits through increased sales, reduced costs and external funding/investments for businesses. 
A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey found that 202 farms in New York were producing renewable energy. Of the 202 farms, 156 had photovoltaic panels and 58 had wind turbines. In addition, 18 farms have methane digesters to create bio-gas, the second most in the country behind Wisconsin!
ProTerra LED and SunEnergy Europe launched their new U.S. headquarters at the Syracuse Tech Garden on Monday. ProTerra LED of Toronto and SunEnergy Europe of Germany picked Syracuse because of its thriving regional clean technology innovation cluster, skilled workforce, robust supply chain and leadership in clean energy technology development. 
Shawn Lesser, president and founder of Sustainable World Capital and co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association and Joe Daniels, partner and chair of the emerging companies and venture capital group at Hodgson Russ, LLP co-wrote an article on the CleanTechies blog honoring New York State as a leader in clean technology and highlighted ten reasons why New York State is step above the rest.
The New York State Smart Grid Consortium, an organization of New York's leading utilities, industries and Universities has appointed David Manning as their first executive director. The consortium has a mission to implement an energy system that facilitates the employment of renewable energy sources to provide efficient, reliable and secure energy for New York. Only three years old, the Consortium has already completed a cost/benefit analysis that forms the foundation of future advocacy efforts, created a New York State Smart Grid Road map to assess economic, customer and social impacts, concluded public filings within New York Public Service proceedings on the smart grid, and created a portal within the U.S. Department of Energy program management for New York smart grid efforts.
The Syracuse, New York based management/technology consulting firm, Govsphere Inc. has announced that it will partner Syracuse University and join The Wireless Grid Innovation Testbed (WiGiT). WiGiT is a National Science Foundation Partnerships for Innovation sponsored consortium that works to establish a set of open standards for the development of wireless grids. WiGiT is led by Syracuse University and Virginia Polytechnic and State University and receives support from Clean Channel Radio, Qualcom, Wireless Grids Corporation, Syracuse Research Corporation, Tufts University, MIT, Rochester Institute of Technology, City College of New York, the Syracuse City School District, BOCES Rockland County and the Seneca Nation of Indians.
Last Thursday marked the Niagara Power Project's 50th year of generating steady, carbon-free hydroelectric energy for New York State. The project, which went online in 1961, marks the largest construction project in the areas history. After numerous upgrades, the hydroelectric facility is capable of diverting 365,000 gallons of water per second, generating 2.4 million kW of energy.
IBM and Samsung have reached an agreement to collaborate on research regarding new semiconductor materials, manufacturing processes and other technologies to be used in a wide range of applications. Samsung scientists will join forces with IBM scientists to conduct research through the Semiconductor Research Alliance at the Albany Nanotech Complex.
New York utility companies NYSEG and RG&E are expanding their Small Business Energy Efficiency Program to include Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Livingston, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan and Tioga counties. Business and municipal customers who demand less than 100 KW are eligible to participate in the program, which offers an energy assessment and funding for 70% of the recommended upgrades. The program, which began in May 2010, has saved 1,600 businesses a total of $1,250,000 and 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.
Recognizing that home improvements can be costly, The State of New York is currently offering four grants to aid low-income homeowners and renters increase their energy efficiency and make necessary structural improvements. The grants are offered through the Weatherization Assistance Program, EmPower New York, Assisted Home Performance Grants and The Monroe County Home Improvement Program.
Last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $3.2 million in funding to help New York State farmers reduce costs, energy use and carbon emissions through upgrades in energy efficiency. The funding, which is offered through NYSERDA's Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program, covers 75% of the initial investment paid by farmers. Such upgrades have the potential to save farmers more capital in the first year than originally invested. A few examples of such electricity/gas upgrades include process improvements, lighting upgrades and high-efficiency fans/pumps/motors. 
With 8 out of 20 MW now connected to the New York State grid, Beacon Power has officially begun operation of their flywheel energy storage system in Stephentown, New York. The system consists of carbon fiber flywheels that spin that store grid energy by spinning at Mach 2 speeds. The stored energy is then capable of being transmitted back into the grid to buffer disturbances without burning fossil fuels. Beacon Power is connecting the remaining 12 MW in small stages and has goals of being fully operational by April of this year. 
Last week, President Barack Obama paid a visit to General Electric's steam turbine and generating plant in Schenectady, New York. After a tour of the facility, which is one of the largest steam turbine manufacturing plants in the world, President Obama praised GE for its capability to adapt to a changing marketplace, create/sustain domestic jobs and compete in a global market.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is offering $250 million in funding for renewable energy generation projects within the state. The funding will help New York State reach its Renewable Portfolio Standard goal of obtaining 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015, resulting in dramatic reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy independence and high quality jobs for New Yorkers. 
Over the past few years plug-in electric vehicles (PIEV) have undergone a fundamental change from being the subject of science projects and auto shows to driving on our nation's roadways. Niche PIEV manufacturers are no longer alone in the plug-in market, automobile giants Nissan and General Motors have added PIEV's to their car lines and virtually every other mainstream car manufacturer have PIEV prototypes that are set to be released in the coming years. 
Ron Kamen, the chief development and public policy officer of Earthkind Solar and president of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) revealed NYSEIA's goals for the new year at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations in Buffalo earlier this month. 
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is seeking applications from solar thermal Installers to participate in the Solar Thermal Incentive Program which has the goal of installing 45.54 MW of solar thermal capacity by the end of 2015. The program plans on meeting such a goal by covering an average of 20% of the total installed cost of residential/non-residential solar thermal systems. 
The TechAmerica Foundation has identified Albany, New York as having the third-fastest growing high-tech job market out of all American cities. With a 1.6% increase in high-tech position, Albany only trailed behind Oklahoma City, OK and Huntsville, AL. Primary drivers for such growth are The University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, attractive real estate prices and high levels of government support. 
The Life Science Complex at Syracuse University has been awarded with NYSERDA's High Performance Building Plaque. The plaque is NYSERDA's way of honoring businesses that perform at least 30 percent above the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code. The 230,000 square foot complex, which was constructed in 2008, utilizes a wide range of energy saving features that make the facility one-third more energy efficient than other buildings its size. Among other energy efficient features, the complex utilizes high-efficiency lighting systems, occupancy sensor lighting controls, high-efficiency elevator systems and a demand-controlled ventilation system. The complex is a positive step forward towards The University's goal of Climate neutrality.
Syracuse University researchers, Guannan Wang, Basman El Hadidi, Jakub Walczak, Mark Glauser, and Hiroshi Higuchi have developed technology to make better use of air that flows over the blades of wind turbines. The technology, which is still in testing, has the potential to drastically increase the efficiency/ consistency of wind power while reducing noise. Such technology could greatly improve the economic feasibility of wind power.
With strong feelings of discontent for the inconveniences that The New York Power Authority's (NYPA) Niagara Power Project has laid upon the citizens of Niagara County, NYPA is in the finalization process of an aid package that has the potential to grant over $100 million for large scale economic development projects throughout the county. Although the scale of the package has not been officially released NYPA President and CEO Richard Kessel has compared it to the sum that Buffalo received for the development of the Erie Canal Harbor/downtown waterfront which totaled $105 million.
The Water Quality Improvement Program, a program within the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Environmental Protection Fund, has awarded $61.5 million for water quality improvement and pollution reduction projects. The funding will cover more than 3/4 of the total costs for more than 40 projects throughout New York State. In order to reduce surface runoff Syracuse has been granted $3 million for the development of green infrastructure on civic strip. In Rochester, $2 million has been allocated for the construction of green roofs, which will filter storm water and reduce surface runoff while providing superior building insulation.