2006 Update from the |
Science and Technology |
Sheldon Silver, Speaker • Adele Cohen, Chairwoman • Summer 2006 | |||||
Dear Friends, We are nearing the end of the legislative session, and I wanted to take this opportunity to report to you on the Commission’s activities. This year, the Commission continued its work on fostering the development of advanced energy technologies and improving accountability for the State’s investment in research and development (R&D). In addition, we have been working to develop a State strategy for the commercialization of the innovations being developed at our universities and research facilities. Raising awareness for lymphedema and other lymphatic diseases has also been one of the Commission’s priorities this year. In order for the Commission to be the most effective, the concerns of New York State citizens must be heard and examined. With your help I can be a strong advocate for progressive public policy in the area of science and technology. Please feel free to contact me with concerns or suggestions at either my District or Albany office or contact the Commission staff directly at: (518) 455-5081, scitech@assembly.state.ny.us, or NYS Assembly Commission on Science and Technology, Agency Building 4, 5th Floor, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12248.
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Roundtable on Advanced Energy Technologies Continuing its commitment to encouraging the development of energy technologies, the Commission joined with the Assembly Task Force on University-Industry Cooperation, to sponsor a second roundtable on the Development and Marketing of Advanced Energy Technologies in New York State. The October 28 event was held at the Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems at Syracuse University. Over twenty people participated, including representatives of universities and other research institutions, energy and environmental technology companies, and venture capital groups. In the course of the discussion, the participants collectively offered a vision for the development of advanced energy technologies in New York State. This vision would take advantage of the many resources available statewide that would support this growing industry, including the many skilled workers graduating from New York universities each year, the vast quantity of natural resources available in the upstate region, and the convergence of research institutions and high tech energy companies that collaborate on development of advanced energy technologies, including wind power, hydropower, biofuels, and other renewable energy sources. Participants emphasized that the United States is overly dependent on non-renewable energy sources, such as petroleum and natural gas, and agreed that there is an urgent need to develop and market new energy technologies that promote energy conservation and efficiency. In addition, there is a need to develop and market renewable energy sources. Geopolitical conflicts and global economic competition have pointed to a serious need for comprehensive, sustainable energy and environmental policies that would enable the development of both efficient and reliable energy sources while maintaining a healthy environment and assuring our nation’s economic security. Advanced energy technologies promote job creation in the research and development (R&D) stages, as well as in the manufacturing and installation of these advanced energy sources and systems. The value of the continued support for R&D in advanced energy technologies was noted through programs such as the Systems Benefit Charge, a fund sustained by most energy consumers as part of their energy bills. Participants did point out, however, that these funds do not offer support for commercialization of these new technologies. It was agreed almost uniformly that there is a need for early stage funding to support product prototyping and testing.
Participants noted that there is a need to connect new companies that provide advanced energy technologies or services with venture capital. They also spoke of an ongoing need for all groups represented at the Roundtable to collaborate in the research, development and marketing of advanced energy technologies. The dialogue on October 28 was enlightening and provocative and offered a number of ideas through which improved collaboration can be achieved. The exciting research being conducted in the development and utilization of advanced energy technologies – from wind, solar and biofuels to technologies that promote conservation and efficiency – should remain at the forefront of all of our discussions on the energy crisis not only in New York State, but nationally and globally as well. |
Science and Technology in the State Budget This year’s bipartisan budget contains investments that support university research and technology commercialization initiatives to better ensure that research translates into new high tech companies and good jobs here in New York State. These projects include:
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Strategy for Commercialization On February 27, 2006, Assemblywoman Adele Cohen, chairwoman of the Commission on Science and Technology, held a hearing in Albany, New York, on The Role of New York State in Commercializing Research & Development Innovations. The hearing was co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Joseph D. Morelle, chairman of the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, and William B. Magnarelli, chairman of the Task Force on University-Industry Cooperation. The purpose of the hearing was to identify and articulate a strategy for assisting the commercialization of innovations resulting from State-sponsored research and development (R&D) conducted at research institutions throughout New York. Testimony was received from over 40 witnesses and there were many interesting and insightful observations and recommendations focusing on funding, structure, space, business assistance, entrepreneurial programs, and workforce development. In recent years, New York State has invested well over one billion dollars in university-based R&D at institutions throughout New York. However, concern was expressed by many witnesses that the State does not invest enough in the early, start-up stage, where these funds are most deficient, and that the smallest businesses, those with the least amount of funding available, are least able to take advantage of federal investments which require a dollar-for-dollar match. Overall, witnesses urged the State to provide seed or gap funding for early stage development, tax credits for investors who take the risk of investing in this early, unproven stage, and to utilize the State Retirement Fund in a more direct way for this crucial period of business development. Another concern was the absence of a coherent structure for commercialization assistance – that is, no single process or entry point for services, and no consistent, uniform set of policies and directives for the lab-to-market continuum. Recommendations included establishing an Office of Technology Commercialization, and a one-stop approach. The crucial need for commercial space was also addressed, as was the importance of business and entrepreneurial assistance. Several witnesses recommended using the regional Small Business Development Centers and university schools of management and business to provide services, and strengthening the entrepreneurial climate in the State through entrepreneurial boot camps, business plan contests, coaching and mentoring. Finally, the crucial area of workforce development was discussed by most, if not all, of the witnesses. Assemblymembers heard, for example, that doctorates in science and engineering have declined since 1988, and that the U.S. produces approximately 70,000 engineers per year compared to India and China, which produce 10 times that number. In addition, less than 6% of 24 year olds in this country earned a B.S. in science, ranking this country 25th in the world. In addition to enhancing science, math and engineering education, it was strongly recommended that education include relevant commercialization-related programs – especially in regulatory affairs, quality assurance and control, and good laboratory practices. Further suggestions included creating forgivable student loans for those who agree to stay and work in the State for a prescribed period and funding targeted workforce training in cooperation with regional initiatives, including university R&D efforts, and growth businesses; and investing in education and retraining with particular emphasis on emerging science and engineering fields. Reinforced by the hearing testimony, the Commission remains committed to supporting existing and future legislative and programmatic efforts regarding commercialization in New York State. The following bills are part of these initiatives:
For more information on the hearing, contact the Commission at (518) 455-5081. |
Lymphedema and
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Adele Cohen, Chairwoman Legislative Commission on Science and Technology Room 435 LOB • Albany, NY 12248 • 518.455.4811 2823 West 12 Street, Suite 1F • Brooklyn, NY 11224 • 718.266.0267 |
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