Clean Energy Advocates Commend LIPA for Initiatives to Increase Renewable Energy Capacity

ALBANY, NY (10/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Following the Long Island Power Authority's recent issuance of two new Request for Proposals (RFPs) to procure renewable energy and distributed generation resources, clean energy advocates offered praise for the initiatives, which will help create a more resilient, environmentally-friendly energy supply.

"We applaud LIPA for taking this important step forward in greening and improving the efficiency of Long Island's energy portfolio," said Valerie Strauss, Executive Director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. "These RFPs demonstrate a strong commitment to ensuring the continued growth of Long Island's clean energy economy and we commend the exemplary leadership shown by Governor Cuomo and the LIPA Board of Trustees."

The RFPs include a competitive procurement for up to 280 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2018, and an additional request for 1630 MW of generation, storage and demand response resources to replace "peaking" generation facilities with cleaner and more efficient distributed resources.

"We welcome the opportunity for offshore and on-site wind, solar, fuel cells and other clean technologies to help meet Long Island's growing demand for energy safely and reliably," continued Ms. Strauss. "We expect the success of these RFPs to be the start of a continued commitment to clean energy that places Long Island and New York State as a whole at the forefront of the national clean energy economy."

"LIPA's transition in the coming month's presents a golden opportunity to rethink the entire resource mix on Long Island," said Jackson Morris, Director of Strategic Engagement at the Pace Energy and Climate Center. "We commend Governor Cuomo and LIPA for working to ensure that as this transition occurs, clean energy remains a priority for both the near and long term. Following through on announcements such as these RFPs will drive substantial economic and environmental benefits, and play a key part in achieving New York's ambitious statewide goals for greenhouse gas reductions and the deployment of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean, distributed generation."

"Governor Cuomo and the LIPA Board of Trustees continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to the deployment of clean energy across Long Island," said Peter Olmsted, East Coast Policy Advocate for the Vote Solar Initiative. "Having just passed the one-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, a diversified and resilient clean energy portfolio will prove critical to meeting the long-term energy needs of Long Islanders. As the state considers the future role of renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand response, LIPA is showing clear leadership by issuing these robust solicitations."

"The Long Island Power Authority continues to push the envelope when it comes to developing clean, renewable energy sources," said Conor Bambrick, Air and Energy Associate for Environmental Advocates of New York.

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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

About the Pace Energy and Climate Center

The Pace Energy and Climate Center is a non-profit organization based at Pace Law School in White Plains, NY, with a twenty-five year track record of addressing environmental interests in the production and use of energy. Within this focus, Pace promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean distributed generation, options that are cost effective means to reduce the negative impacts from current patterns of electricity production and consumption. energy.pace.edu

About Vote Solar

The Vote Solar Initiative is a non-profit grassroots organization working to foster economic opportunity, promote energy independence and address climate change by making solar a mainstream energy resource across the United States. Since 2002, Vote Solar has engaged at the state, local and federal levels to remove regulatory barriers and implement the key policies needed to bring solar to scale. www.votesolar.org

About Environmental Advocates of New York

Environmental Advocates' mission is to protect our air, land, water, and wildlife, and the health of all New Yorkers. Based in Albany, we monitor state government, evaluate proposed laws, and champion policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of our shared environment. We work to support and strengthen the efforts of New York's environmental community and to make our state a national leader. www.eany.org