News from Environmental Advocates of New York

For more information contact: Erica Ringewald, 518-210-9903, Jamie Van Nostrand, 914-422-4082

Environmental Groups Praise Public Service Commission Investment In Energy Efficiency Efforts

State Goal to Reduce Electric Usage by 15 Percent by 2015 will Reap New Jobs, Consumer Savings

ALBANY, NY (06/20/2008; 1221)(readMedia)-- *American Lung Association of New York State * Citizens Campaign for the Environment * Environmental Advocates of New York * Natural Resources Defense Council * NYPIRG * Pace Energy and Climate Center * Sierra Club - Atlantic Chapter *

Environmental groups today applauded the recent announcement by New York's Public Service Commission (PSC) that the agency will aggressively implement energy efficiency programs statewide by requiring New York utilities to collect an additional $172 million for the state's System Benefit Charge (SBC) annually. The SBC funds programs to reduce energy use. On Wednesday, June 18, the Commission also established efficiency targets to be achieved by regulated entities by 2011. The Commission's initiatives are part of the state's Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, which is intended to reverse the pattern of increasing energy use in New York by reducing electric usage 15 percent below projected levels by 2015, commonly referred to as the "15 by 15" goal. This objective, adopted by New York in May 2007, makes it the nation's most aggressive efficiency program.

When fully funded, the program is expected to provide more than $4 billion in benefits to customers through 2015. The energy efficiency initiatives are also anticipated to create thousands of jobs by means of retrofitting outdated, inefficient residential, commercial and industrial properties, installing new equipment, and reaching out to New Yorkers to let them know about new opportunities to save on their energy bills.

"The actions taken by the Commission provide an unprecedented level of funding for energy efficiency in New York State," said Ashok Gupta, Program Director for Air and Energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). "We are pleased that the Commission is moving forward decisively to pursue the state's ‘15 by 15' target. This decision by the Commission provides strong support for Governor Paterson's agenda to move toward a Clean Energy Economy and to spur additional investment in energy efficiency."

The Commission announced its decision on Wednesday, June 18, with the details of the PSC's actions to be set forth in a subsequent order. The PSC will continue to develop additional issues of program design through its Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard proceeding. The Commission also announced that it was developing an efficiency target for natural gas, and established $13 million annually in funding for natural gas efficiency programs.

"Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports making this down payment on energy efficiency," said Robert Moore, Environmental Advocates of New York. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Public Service Commission and other stakeholders to reduce New York State's energy use and the pollution that causes climate change."

"Renewing an aggressive energy efficiency program is of critical importance for future State energy policy," said Jamie Van Nostrand, Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center. "The State Energy Plan should pursue all cost-effective energy efficiency measures, and implementing the ‘15 by 15' target is a good start at achieving that. Pursuing energy efficiency is the most effective way to achieve the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change."

"In order to help New Yorkers save money and the environment, the state needs to boosts its energy conservation and efficiency efforts," said Blair Horner, NYPIRG. "The PSC's actions will help on both counts."

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