ACE NY Calls for New Renewable Energy Program for NY at State Assembly Hearing on Large-Scale Renewables

NEW YORK, NY (09/16/2015)(readMedia)-- Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Anne Reynolds today thanked the NYS Assembly, and Assembly Standing Committee on Energy Chair Amy Paulin, for bringing attention to the critical need to replace the expiring Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) with a next generation program to deploy large-scale renewables. She urged the Cuomo Administration to strengthen State investments in wind, offshore wind, hydropower, and utility-scale solar energy.

Speaking at a New York City hearing called by the Assembly's Standing Committee on Energy, Reynolds said: "Ten years ago, New York established its renewable energy program motivated by the need for energy independence, the need to keep energy dollars in-state, and the need for cleaner air. All of those motivations are equally important today, and others have been added: the indisputable science on climate change and our increased reliance on natural gas for our electricity, making us more susceptible to volatile natural gas prices. For all of these reasons, we need a next generation program to bring renewables investment to New York."

"The state's Renewable Portfolio Standard, launched more than a decade ago, is expiring and needs to be replaced, Reynolds explained. "It has been very successful, stimulating good projects with negligible impacts to ratepayers. But it did not get to 30 percent."

"We enthusiastically support the 50 percent goal in Governor Cuomo's State Energy Plan. Now the Governor has an exciting opportunity to design an innovative new Large-Scale Renewables program that will put New York solidly on the pathway to 50 percent. This will attract more private investment in New York from renewable energy companies," Reynolds concluded.

Reynolds called on the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to require New York utilities to meet specified targets consistent with the state energy plan. "The Cuomo Administration's energy plan calls for generating at least 50 percent of the state's electricity using renewable energy by 2030," she said. "The best way to achieve this goal is through the stimulation of private sector investments. The Alliance for Clean Energy New York and our partner organizations are ready to help the state achieve these critical goals."

In her testimony before the Assembly Energy Committee, Reynolds called for critical amendments to the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) plan being developed by the state Department of Public Service (DPS). These include using a target-based approach that is enforceable, where utilities have an obligation to procure renewable energy using long-term, bundled power purchase agreements (PPAs). "This is the most accountable, efficient, and affordable approach," Reynolds testified. "This type of approach is competitive and market-driven, and stimulates private sector investment to achieve a clean energy future, all characteristics reflected in the principles of New York's State Energy Plan." Reynolds also urged that the program include an offshore wind tier to bring that emerging technology to New York. And she urged that the Long Island Power Authority and the New York Power Authority be included in the state program.

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About the Alliance for Clean Energy New York:

The Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY) is a broad coalition dedicated to promoting clean energy, energy efficiency, a healthy environment, and a strong economy for the Empire State, and is New York's premier advocate for the rapid adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. www.aceny.org