Governor Paterson Anticipates Continued Growth for Clean Energy Industry in New York State

ALBANY, NY (11/10/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced, following the conclusion of "Advanced Energy 2010," a statewide conference produced by the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University, that New York's unique qualities will ensure that the State's clean energy economy continues its significant growth. This builds on the Governor's recently released New York State Climate Action Plan, which will help guide the State on its ambitious economic and environmental goals.

"The vast array of companies and cutting-edge research showcased at the Advanced Energy Conference clearly demonstrated that New York has the ingredients to help clean energy companies develop and thrive," Governor Paterson said. "The combination of talent, technological innovation and supportive policies in New York has created a vibrant clean energy industry that is leading the nation in meeting the energy challenges of our future."

More than 1,300 people attended Advanced Energy 2010 in New York City, making it one of the largest events in the country showcasing advances in research and clean energy businesses. Emerging technologies forming the foundation for the New Economy were also on display, including advances in renewable energy, energy storage, smart grid, transportation and building sciences.

Francis J. Murray, President and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), said: "The vast diversity of technologies on display at the Advanced Energy Conference show that not only is New York already a significant hub of innovation and creativity, but that New York has all of the elements needed to host the next generation of clean technology companies. NYSERDA is proud to have played a role in helping so many New York companies secure the resources and funding they needed to become successful in our challenging economy. Through Governor Paterson's ongoing support of clean technology and environmentally friendly industry, our State is on its way to leading the nation in this emerging New Economy."

Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), said: "Governor Paterson's focus on a clean energy economy is aligned with the priorities in SUNY's strategic plan, The Power of SUNY. Our distributed network of 64 campuses across the State provides vast resources in the energy field, and the Advanced Energy Conference, hosted by Stony Brook University, is a vivid example of SUNY's ability to bring together partners from all sectors. This conference displayed New York's potential to be a global leader in the green economy, and SUNY looks forward to continuing to partner with the State and industry to leverage these critical assets."

The State's efforts to facilitate strong public-private partnerships have positively impacted clean energy development and implementation in the following ways:

• Technology: New York secured more patents and received more federal research dollars than any state other than California from 1999-2008. The State has five of the 40 Energy Frontier Research Centers designated by the US Department of Energy and is the home of the only National Laboratory in the Northeast.

• Talent: New York has among the most highly developed educational infrastructures in the nation for the clean energy industry with a vast network of community colleges and training programs in the State University system, two Ivy League universities and top schools of engineering, business and law. The State also boasts a highly skilled and flexible manufacturing workforce drawn from semiconductors, advanced materials processing, defense electronics and precision assembly.

• Policies: New York has implemented policies, including a renewable portfolio standard, that promise to incentivize growth in the use of renewable energy over the coming decades, and provides a vast array of financial incentives for clean energy business and renewable energy technologies.

• Capital: As the center of the financial world, New York provides networks for businesses to secure financing for innovative projects and companies that allow the State to rank among the top states for securing venture capital financing for clean energy businesses.

The Governor's plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent by 2050, one of the most ambitious GHG reduction goals of any state in the nation, will create ongoing demand for industries that will help New York improve energy efficiency and increase use of renewable resources. To achieve this ambitious goal the State will focus on utilizing clean energy and technology to modernize and transform the New York's power supply, building codes, transportation and agriculture.

Richard M. Kessel, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), said: "New York State is making significant strides for integrating new clean energy technologies to add greater diversity and balance to its energy supplies while also laying a foundation for attracting new high-tech and renewable energy jobs to the State. It is vitally important for New York to be ahead of the curve on this front. Under Governor Paterson's leadership, we've made significant progress, including major solar and offshore wind projects that NYPA is pursuing."

Robert Catell, Chairman of the AERTC Board of Advisors and former Chairman of National Grid USA said: "Government policies and research are important, but alone cannot spur the growth we need. The business community must not only be a catalyst for innovative research, but is essential to the commercial development of these technologies, building a new competitive more efficient energy industry and aiding multiple segments of our economy, from manufacturing, to service, and even agricultural. The clean energy economy holds the promise of new highly skilled jobs, lower costs longer term, and can move us to a more sustainable economy less dependent on carbon and imported energy. Advanced Energy was an unqualified success, enhancing the collaboration of business, Government, and academia we will need to not only succeed but lead in the future. We are on a great and necessary trajectory."

New York provides a unique network of assets and resources to support clean energy businesses, including the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Advanced Energy and Technology Research Center at Stony Brook University, the New York Power Authority and the Long Island Power Authority.

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