INCREASING RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION PROMOTING ENERGY CONSERVATION

As New York and the world struggle with the realities of global climate change, our state also faces compounding problems of growing energy costs and increasing rates of childhood asthma. New York must take responsibility for its own contribution to these problems by changing the way we generate and use our energy resources. For more than a decade, New York has failed to act, leaving our state without a serious and comprehensive energy plan.

The long-term benefits of renewable energy are clear – renewable sources will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, reduce New York’s dependence on fossil fuels, create high-skill, high wage jobs for New Yorkers, and stimulate in-state investment. The state must look to build and expand all aspects of clean energy infrastructure: generation, transmission, distribution. New York will fuel investment in renewable energy by buying and encouraging green power.

To that end, on June 24, 2007 Lieutenant Governor Paterson announced the creation of New York’s Renewable Energy Task Force. The 20 distinguished members appointed to this Task Force bring a diverse representation of private and public stakeholders in renewable energy and alternative fuel industries, environmental and agricultural organizations, academia, local government, energy policy, environmental justice and green building and industry development sectors.

Under the Lieutenant Governor’s leadership, the Task Force was charged with identifying and recommending ways to expand the state’s use of renewable energy and alternative fuels. The Lieutenant Governor convened the first meeting of the Renewable Energy Task Force on June 26, 2007.

The Task Force created four subcommittees which met regularly over several months. In September 2007, the Task Force held a public meeting and released their preliminary findings. In February 2008, the first report of the Task Force was released. The report lists 16 recommendations which provide a comprehensive policy Roadmap to move the State to greater renewable energy development and energy independence.

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