STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON
I'm heartened that the United States has played a lead role at the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen [last] week. I applaud President Obama, Secretary Clinton and my own Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis for their attendance and public role in the conference. The significant official presence of the United States in Denmark gives the conference the sense of urgency that matches its mission. Our global community has one rational option: face the causes of climate change head on and strategically and significantly alter our ways to minimize the damage our society has inflicted on the Earth.
"New York State plays a role in the global fight against climate change. As the world's 15th largest economy, our State has the responsibility to be a national and global leader in reducing carbon pollution, and we have answered that challenge by setting some of the most ambitious clean energy and environmental goals in the United States.
"By setting these goals, and by developing concrete, aggressive plans to meet these goals, we are creating a cleaner, more secure, healthier, and more prosperous world in the future. This is our opportunity to advance the next great economic revolution - the clean energy revolution."
Transitioning to a Clean Energy Economy in New York State
New York, the world's 15th largest economy, has taken a leading role in the world community to responsibly address climate change by reducing New York's carbon emissions.
Long-Range Planning
Governor Paterson has set some of the most ambitious carbon reduction goals in the United States. By doing so, he has set into motion changes in the economy, business practices, and energy efficiency that will benefit New York for decades to come.
- 45 by 15: Governor Paterson has set a goal to meet 45% of the State's electricity demand through efficiency and renewable energy by 2015 - 15% reduction in energy use through efficiency, and 30% of energy supply through renewables. More than $750 million per year in public funding is currently allocated to the State's clean energy programs.
- 80 by 50 Target: With Executive Order No. 24, Governor Paterson set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas pollution in New York State by 80 percent below the levels emitted in 1990 by the year 2050. The Climate Action Council he created will prepare a draft Climate Action Plan by September 30, 2010, that will assess how each sector of the economy can reduce greenhouse gas pollution and how these actions support New York's goals for a clean energy economy.
- 10-Year State Energy Plan: In December, Governor Paterson accepted the State Energy Plan to make energy more affordable for New Yorkers in a carbon-constrained economy. The plan will ensure that New York continues to lead the nation in advancing clean energy and will keep more of our energy dollars in-State. The Plan is built around producing, delivering and using energy more efficiently; supporting the development of in-State energy supplies; investing in energy and transportation infrastructure; stimulating innovation in energy technologies for the clean energy economy; and forging the necessary partnerships with other states and local governments to achieve common goals.
- Governor Paterson has worked with State leaders in New York and throughout the northeast to develop an aggressive, model approach to reducing carbon output.
- Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI): New York was instrumental in the creation and successful implementation of the country's first mandatory cap and trade program. RGGI establishes a cap on power sector carbon dioxide pollution and reduces it over time using a novel approach to distribution emission allowances; an auction. The auctions are generating hundreds of millions of dollars that will be reinvested in clean energy measures to help New York's working families and businesses cut their energy use and their carbon footprint.
- Energy Codes: New York is updating its energy code to ensure new construction meets minimum efficiency standards. Several municipalities around the State are exceeding the code by adopting "Energy Star" standards.
By supporting incentives and other initiatives, Governor Paterson has worked to encourage greater investments in renewable resources to help meet the ambitious energy reduction goals he has set for New York. For example, Governor Paterson's proposals will increase use of solar PV 7-fold within the next two years through expansion of the Renewable Portfolio Standard, revision to net metering laws and innovative use of power purchase agreements with the Long Island Power Authority and New York Power Authority.
Energy Efficiency, a cost effective tool to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases, has been significantly employed in New York. As a result of Governor Paterson's 45 by 15 energy goal over $750 million annually is being invested in energy efficiency programs for natural gas and electric customers.
Initiatives to Foster Innovation
New York has some of the greatest energy experts in the world. By creating structures to bring the knowledge and expertise together, Governor Paterson is laying the groundwork for energy breakthroughs for the future.
- Smart Grid Consortium: New York utilities, universities, industry and government are partnering to share information and experience in developing a Smart Grid for the State. The Public Service Commission pre-approved over $800 million in smart grid demonstration projects statewide that utilities have proposed for funding under ARRA. New York's utilities are the only ones in the nation to receive such pre-approval.
- New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium: In May 2009, Governor Paterson created the NY Best Consortium to foster collaboration among the State's universities and industry to increase the speed of innovation in energy storage technologies and seek to develop battery manufacturing facilities in NYS. That same month, GE announced that it would build a new battery manufacturing facility in Upstate New York.
- Clean Energy Incubators: New York has established four clean energy incubators across the State to help turn new inventions into viable business enterprises, with an additional two that will be announced in the coming weeks.