RENEWABLE ENERGY TASK FORCE MEMBERS NAMED
Paterson to Lead Effort to Attract Clean Energy Industries to New York

Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson today announced the appointment of members to New York's Renewable Energy Task Force. Under Lieutenant Governor Paterson’s leadership, the goal of the Task Force will be to identify and recommend ways of expanding the state’s use of renewable energy and alternative fuels.

“Not only is our nation facing an impending energy crisis, we are facing the most challenging environmental crisis of our time as we struggle to deal with climate change and curb our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lieutenant Governor Paterson. “Renewable energy development will not only lead us towards energy independence, but it will protect our planet and provide healthier environments for our children and families to live. The members of the Renewable Energy Task Force bring a broad range of knowledge and experience to the effort to dramatically expand our use of renewable energy and alternative fuels."

The Task Force consists of representatives of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Long Island Power Authority, the New York Power Authority, as well as representatives from the renewable energy and alternative fuel industries, environmental and agricultural organizations, academia, local government, energy policy, environmental justice and green building and industry development sectors.

The Task Force’s first report to the Chair will be completed by December 1, 2007. During its deliberations the Task Force will work closely with a wide range of state agencies, departments and authorities. In addition to its recommendations, the report will include benchmarks to measure the state’s progress in implementing any initiatives.

The Renewable Energy Task Force will help in the implementation of the administration’s plans to reduce electricity use by 15 percent from forecasted levels by the year 2015 through new energy efficiency programs in industry and government. The plan focuses on energy efficiency, conservation, and investment in renewable energy sources as the keys to achieving economic and environmental goals.

The Task Force will meet for the first time on June 26, 2007 in Albany.

Renewable Energy Task Force Members:

Kelly Bennett, Northeast Regional Director and National Policy Director for Sterling Planet, the nation's largest retailer of renewable energy. She also serves as the Chair of the New York State Apollo Alliance.

Majora Carter, Founder and Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx, an organization dedicated to advancing the environmental and economic rebirth of the South Bronx and other communities across the nation.

David Carpenter, MD., Director of the Institute for Health and Environment at the University of Albany, School of Public Health, and Professor of Environmental Health Sciences. His research focuses on the study of environmental causes of human disease.

Nicola Coddington, Energy Conservation Coordinator for the Town of Greenburgh, the Deputy Mayor of the village of Irvington, and a member of the Westchester County Executive’s Global Warming Task Force.

Ashok Gupta, Air and Energy Program Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the NRDC’s representative on Mayor Bloomberg’s Sustainability Advisory Board and Energy Policy Task Force.

David Hepinstall, Executive Director of the Association for Energy Affordability, Inc., and a member of the New York System Benefits Charge Advisory Group, and the New York City Energy Policy Task Force.

Peter Iwanowicz, Director of the newly created Climate Change Office at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and former Vice President of the American Lung Association.

Roger B. Kelley, incoming President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority.

Kevin S. Law, Chief Deputy Suffolk County Executive and Chair of the Long Island Power Authority.

Cecil Corbin-Mark, Program Director of West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc., a community-based, environmental justice organization, dedicated to fighting environmental racism and improving environmental health and policy in communities of color.

Carol Murphy, Executive Director for the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, a non-profit corporation which promotes clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Dr. Cornelius Murphy, President of the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Dr. Murphy is the director of several environmental, sciences, and medical boards as well as a member of several professional affiliations.

Gil Quiniones, Senior Vice President of Energy and Telecommunications of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, as well as the Chair of the New York City Energy Policy Task Force.

John Saintcross, Senior Project Manager at the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority and Team Leader for centralized procurement of renewable resources under the Renewable Portfolio Standard in New York.

Jeffrey Williams, Deputy Director of Public Policy for the New York Farm Bureau, where he is principal lobbyist on environmental and renewable energy issues, and also acts as a liaison between the agricultural industry and the renewable energy sector.

Fred Zalcman, Executive Director of the Pace Energy Project, and currently serves on the New York System Benefits Charge Advisory Group. Mr. Zalcman also teaches energy law at Pace Law School.

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