Spitzer calling for 15 percent energy use cut
Yancey RoyAlbany bureau
(April 20, 2007) — ALBANY — Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Thursday unveiled a new energy strategy that relies on reducing energy use by 15 percent by 2015, investing $300 million in renewable and "clean" power projects and increasing supply by passing a new law to expedite power-plant siting.
Simultaneously, the state gave a big boost to wind power by awarding performance-based grants to nine new "wind farms," including three in Steuben County and one in Herkimer County. The facilities, which state officials predict will open in 2008, will significantly increase the state's use of wind — currently there are four large-scale wind power facilities supplying power to the electricity grid, according to state officials.
The Democratic governor delivered his plan just days before Earth Day and, at first blush, seemed to please many sides in the energy debate. Environmentalists hailed Spitzer's call for conservation and more renewable energy. Energy lobbyists said they're encouraged that the governor apparently wants to break the gridlock on power-plant siting — an issue that has languished for four years.
"Clearly, he's tried to appease a lot of constituencies," said Gavin Donohue, head of the Independent Power Producers of New York. He called it a "balanced" approach.
"The conservation and clean-energy (initiatives) will resonate with the public," Donohue said, "and at the same time, he recognizes that energy generation, reliability and transmission are important."
Highlights include:
Reduce electricity consumption by 15 percent by 2015 — what Spitzer calls the "most aggressive target in the nation" — by strengthening efficiency standards, rewriting laws that currently discourage utilities from conserving energy and committing state government facilities to use wind and other "clean" energy sources.
The New York Independent System Operator — which runs the state's electricity grid — has projected a 1.2 percent annual growth in electricity demand. Spitzer wants to not only stifle that trend but also to reverse it.
Increase supply by passing a new law to expedite the siting of new power plants.
Allocate $295 million to let 21 contracts for "clean," renewable power projects — especially wind. The governor estimated the state incentives could attract about $1.4 billion in private investment and that new facilities could be ready to operate by the end of 2008.
YROY@Gannett.com
Yancey RoyAlbany bureau
(April 20, 2007) — ALBANY — Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Thursday unveiled a new energy strategy that relies on reducing energy use by 15 percent by 2015, investing $300 million in renewable and "clean" power projects and increasing supply by passing a new law to expedite power-plant siting.
Simultaneously, the state gave a big boost to wind power by awarding performance-based grants to nine new "wind farms," including three in Steuben County and one in Herkimer County. The facilities, which state officials predict will open in 2008, will significantly increase the state's use of wind — currently there are four large-scale wind power facilities supplying power to the electricity grid, according to state officials.
The Democratic governor delivered his plan just days before Earth Day and, at first blush, seemed to please many sides in the energy debate. Environmentalists hailed Spitzer's call for conservation and more renewable energy. Energy lobbyists said they're encouraged that the governor apparently wants to break the gridlock on power-plant siting — an issue that has languished for four years.
"Clearly, he's tried to appease a lot of constituencies," said Gavin Donohue, head of the Independent Power Producers of New York. He called it a "balanced" approach.
"The conservation and clean-energy (initiatives) will resonate with the public," Donohue said, "and at the same time, he recognizes that energy generation, reliability and transmission are important."
Highlights include:
Reduce electricity consumption by 15 percent by 2015 — what Spitzer calls the "most aggressive target in the nation" — by strengthening efficiency standards, rewriting laws that currently discourage utilities from conserving energy and committing state government facilities to use wind and other "clean" energy sources.
The New York Independent System Operator — which runs the state's electricity grid — has projected a 1.2 percent annual growth in electricity demand. Spitzer wants to not only stifle that trend but also to reverse it.
Increase supply by passing a new law to expedite the siting of new power plants.
Allocate $295 million to let 21 contracts for "clean," renewable power projects — especially wind. The governor estimated the state incentives could attract about $1.4 billion in private investment and that new facilities could be ready to operate by the end of 2008.
YROY@Gannett.com
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