State Making Progress Toward Clean Energy Goal

ALBANY, NY (04/20/2007)(readMedia)-- The Alliance for Clean Energy NY (ACE NY) applauds the Governor's clean energy strategy for New York. ACE NY firmly supports the Governor's call for investments in energy efficiency and clean power generation. An emphasis on increased energy efficiency and a one-stop, expedited siting process for clean power generation combined with the financial assurances provided by long term contracts will promote needed investment in New York. "Investment in efficiency and renewable energy sources will provide broad economic development, energy security and environmental benefits for the State," stated ACE NY Executive Director Carol Murphy.

ACE NY also was pleased to see the announcement, in conjunction with the Governor's statement on energy policy, of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) on the awarding of contracts worth $295 million over 10 years for 21 renewable energy projects under the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS was established in 2004 to meet the Public Service Commission's goal of generating 25 percent of New York's electricity from renewable sources by 2013.

"The Alliance for Clean Energy New York recognizes the state's continued leadership and commitment to producing a portion of our electricity from clean, renewable sources," said Carol Murphy, Executive Director. "As the RPS program continues to develop and evolve, all New Yorkers will receive the benefits in the form of lower energy prices, a cleaner environment, and a growing economy."

The 21 winning bids include 9 wind farms, 10 hydroelectric project upgrades and 2 biomass projects. These projects, selected in the second phase of the state's RPS program, are expected to leverage $1.4 billion in renewable energy investments in upstate NY and can provide 2.6 million MWh of electricity per year to New York retail customers.

The Maple Ridge wind farm alone, one of the first projects to be constructed under the RPS and the largest wind farm east of the Mississippi is currently producing enough emissions-free electricity to power 140,000 homes.

"In the underserved and economically stressed regions of upstate new York, these clean energy developments are breathing life back into struggling small communities and helping rural families to preserve their land and their way of life," said Murphy.

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