Statement from Governor David A. Paterson
March 25, 2010
"I applaud the Public Service Commission's decision today to substantially expand funding available to home and business owners who want to install renewable energy systems. In addition to providing this funding to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for incentives to encourage individual customers to invest in renewable energy, the Commission is making money available to fund the development of larger-scale renewable energy projects in the lower Hudson Valley and New York City area. This expansion of funding for renewable energy projects will strengthen an already robust clean-energy economy in New York.
"Today's action to expand funding under the State's Renewable Portfolio Standard was a key recommendation in the State Energy Plan released last December, and is a key part of our '45 by 15' initiative to have 45 percent of New York State's electricity needs met through improved energy efficiency and greater use of clean renewable energy by 2015. Full achievement of this initiative is expected to create 50,000 new jobs for New Yorkers.
"Resources, predictability and sound implementation are the key ingredients to a successful clean energy program. Small businesses that market the availability of incentives to the public should be encouraged by the Commission's decision to provide additional funding for customer-sited renewable energy programs. It is now imperative that the Commission staff and NYSERDA work together to administer the newly designed programs in a way to ensure market stability for years to come."
More information about the Renewable Portfolio Standard initiative can be found at: http://www.dps.state.ny.us/03e0188.htm.
