Statement from Alliance for Clean Energy New York on 50% by 2030 Renewable Energy Mandate

ALBANY, NY (11/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Anne Reynolds, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), made the following statement in response to recent reports that state regulators will issue a mandate that 50% of electricity consumed by New Yorkers be generated from renewable sources by 2030:

"Gov. Cuomo's reported directive to the Public Service Commission to mandate the 50% renewables by 2030 goal is great, encouraging news for the renewable energy industry. This is the state-level commitment to an enforceable renewables policy that we have been looking for, to attract the investment we need.

The Governor's directive recognizes the economic benefits of clean, fossil fuel-free energy. Wind farms in Upstate communities create construction jobs, payments in lieu of taxes, and clean, safe electricity. So could offshore wind, which will create thousands of downstate construction jobs; so too can fuel cells, hydropower, and utility-scale solar. A mandate will attract private investment to New York for renewable energy, which is absolutely necessary to achieve the Governor's climate change goals.

The details of this program to support large-scale renewables are important. For the Governor's plan to work, there must be sufficient investments in renewable generators, including power purchase agreements, to be certain the 50% mandate is met. Nuclear power, while emitting less carbon than coal or oil, nevertheless does not meet the definition of renewable technologies. Supporting uneconomic and aging power plants should not be the long-term solution, but should be a transition to a renewable energy future"

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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