Albany - Senator Kevin S. Parker (D-Brooklyn), Chair of the Senate Energy Committee, and Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D-Kingston), Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, today announced legislation to re-establish in statute a state energy board charged with crafting a comprehensive state energy plan for New York. The new State Energy Plan will provide for the oversight and guidance to ensure the success of the new initiatives sparked by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The legislation charges the board to develop and regularly update a comprehensive plan to identify and meet the State's future energy needs. An earlier State energy planning statute expired in 2003. Currently the State is engaged in an energy planning process pursuant to an Executive Order of the Governor.
"We have an opportunity and a responsibility to reinvent our economy by committing to energy independence. Targeting this new goal will allow for new thinking, new models and a signal to the rest of the world that New York is serious about being a 21st Century leader in energy innovation. The law will provide us with the tools essential to completing a truly comprehensive State Energy Plan, that will provide guidance and context for investments made by the public and private sectors within New York State," said Chairman Cahill.
"Now, more than ever, with the focus turning to the green economy and energy independence, we need a comprehensive State Energy Plan. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into our state for green job training, transportation and energy infrastructure, efficiency, weatherization and renewable generation. This legislation ensures that this issue is given the attention and commitment it deserves by mandating a state-wide board to examine and research the issue at hand; delivering the best possible solution to the people of New York," said Chairman Parker.
The new law will require comprehensive studies of the state's energy needs. The plan will include assessments of the following: regional and statewide analyses of power generation, transmission and distribution; reliability and affordability; short and long term fuel forecasts; renewable energy technologies and distributed generation; environmental justice and public health; efficiency and conservation; transportation; residential, commercial and industrial construction; emergency management; and economic development.
The bill will empower the Board to hold hearings, adopt rules and regulations and issue subpoenas. It would require all major utilities to file information necessary to the development of an Energy Plan. It would direct the Power Authority of the State of New York and the Long Island Power Authority to participate in the planning process and to submit strategic, operating and capital plans. The bill would also require state agencies to report on the progress made to implement identified energy plan policies and priorities and progress made to attain energy plan goals. The first plan will be due on January 1, 2013.
Senator Parker and Assemblyman Cahill said funds from President Obama's Federal stimulus package give New York a unique opportunity for economic growth and the creation of new "green jobs." The Legislators said it will require a sensible, statewide energy initiative to utilize new technologies and create new job opportunities for development with federal support.
The legislation enables New York to better ensure affordable service, oversight and accountability of providers, and focus on New York's long-term energy needs.