Regional Climate Effort is Lowering Energy Costs & Supporting Businesses on Long Island

ALBANY, NY (09/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Environmental Advocates of New York has released a short report on how businesses and consumers across New York State are benefiting from investments made with dollars generated by the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which was designed to reduce climate-altering pollution from power plants. The report documents investments by type and region and tracks how RGGI dollars are saving consumers money on their utility bills, helping businesses grow, and transforming New York into the clean energy capital of the Northeast. The group sent a letter today to Lt. Governor Duffy asking the state to consider RGGI's benefits during economic development planning. Energy and environmental groups met yesterday in Albany to discuss how to improve the regional climate initiative.

"New Yorkers are reaping big rewards from RGGI across the state. Investments in clean energy and energy efficiency provide a $3 to $4 return on investment. And that's in addition to bill savings for consumers, documented cuts in power plant pollution, and improvements in New York's air quality," said Ross Gould, Air & Energy Program Director, Environmental Advocates of New York.

Long Island is home to the highest wholesale electricity prices in New York, especially in the hot summer months. Solar panels whose peak generation capacity occurs simultaneously with peak demand can play a major role in reducing electricity costs and provide a higher rate of return than solar invested in other areas. The 1st Senate District received $1,302,079 to install solar photovoltaic systems, including a 10,335-watt installation in Center Moriches. This installation will generate 89,179 kilowatt hours annually, saving $9,452 and avoiding 61.5 metric tons carbon annually or removing 12 cars from the road.

The largest chunk of RGGI investments, $12 million, was made in solar photovoltaic installations across the state. The 371 new solar projects at homes, businesses, and nonprofit organizations are the equivalent of taking more than 1,850 cars off the road or powering approximately 800 average homes for one year. This preliminary look is based on limited data through December 31, 2010.

Despite a slow start because of a lawsuit from polluters, RGGI investments are making New York's homes more energy efficient. According to the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), $1 million plus investments in energy efficiency will lead to almost twice that amount in annual bill savings for consumers.

In addition, RGGI dollars are underwriting energy efficiency improvements at municipal wastewater treatment plants across the state, providing incentives for green residential building, and providing resources for energy efficiency costs in apartment buildings and condominiums.

RGGI $ by Region

Western New York – $616,435

Finger Lakes – $535,977

Southern Tier – $1,184,334

Central New York – $578,550

North Country – $590,360

Mohawk Valley – $400,324

Capital Region – $543,430

Mid-Hudson – $1,236,372

NYC – $1,785,190

Long Island – $6,135,326

Visit www.tinyurl.com/eanyRGGI for a breakdown of RGGI investments, with examples, from across the state.

The states participating in RGGI (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont) have implemented the first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Environmental Advocates of New York's 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. Visit www.eany.org to learn more.