Contact: Rosalind Jackson, rosalind@votesolar.org, 415-817-5061
Green Energy Leaders Comment on NY’s State of the State Address
January 7, 2009 (ALBANY, NY) – In his State of the State address today, Governor Paterson pledged to meet 45% of the State’s projected energy needs with renewable and energy efficiency measures by 2015. We applaud the Governor’s noble and ambitious goal to expand New York’s clean energy sector and believe it a positive step forward in strengthening our future.
The Governor is right that the Green Economic Revolution is at hand. Wind, solar, fuel cells, biomass and hydro are the future of energy production in the State and provide tremendous economic boosts to the region. In fact, the State has estimated that wind power alone could provide 20 percent of our electricity demand, and the industry could add 43,000 jobs in New York by 2013. If the State invested in 2000 MW of solar energy it would translate to at least 13,000 new jobs. Fuel cell technology provides hundreds of jobs already in New York and is poised to expand into new product areas. New energy efficiency and demand response measures can ensure affordable, reliable energy for years to come.
However, in order to create these jobs, spur our local economies back to life and lower our greenhouse gas output, we need the leadership in Albany to further invest in our green technologies and the vital infrastructure improvements that are necessary to deliver on the promises. Only then can we realize the potential of these renewable energy sources.
The Governor compared our current economic situation to the Great Depression. During those troubled times many New Yorkers were put back to work building hydroelectric infrastructure, a clean power resource that provides the State with its cheapest, cleanest energy to this day. With leadership and vision, we can do it again with a new generation of clean energy technologies.
Our economic future depends heavily on the growth of our clean energy sector, and Governor Paterson’s comments today demonstrate his commitment to it. New York has long been the capital of global business; let’s not miss an opportunity to lead the world again in the creation of a new clean energy economy. It’s time for policy-makers across New York to join the Governor and the clean energy sector in building a new green economy worthy of our great State that protects our planet and puts New Yorkers back to work.
Signed,
Carol E. Murphy, Alliance for Clean Energy New York
Shaun Chapman, The Vote Solar Initiative
Fred Zalcman, SunEdison LLC
Carrie Cullen Hitt, The Solar Alliance
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