Gov. David Paterson's support for clean energy projects – including the carbon capture and storage project being explored by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities – remains steadfast even in light of what he called the state's ''perilous'' condition.
That was one major message during Paterson's first State of the State address, which he gave Wednesday afternoon before a joint session of the state Legislature.
''We need to accomplish three things during this session, (and one of those is ensuring) we're breathing clean air and being responsible about our energy use. We must leave the land as unspoiled as it was when we inherited it,'' Paterson said. ''We must find a way to begin an energy revolution around New York.''
To help begin the revolution, Paterson proposed several energy initiatives during his speech.
One such initiative is a statewide ''45 by 15'' goal, which Paterson said means the state will have to meet 45 percent of electricity needs by 2015 through improved efficiency and clean renewable energy. The ''45 by 15'' program will create 50,000 jobs, Paterson said.
''This is an aggressive program that will ensure we keep our spot as one of the most forward-thinking states in America when it comes to clean energy initiatives,'' Paterson said.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL
As lieutenant governor under former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Paterson spent a great deal of time examining the development of wind and solar power, biofuels and other alternative energy sources. During his speech Wednesday, he pointed out that New York is a charter member of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the nation's first viable carbon cap-and-trade system. In addition, Paterson said Wednesday, New York is also a leader in renewable energy production with a Renewable Portfolio Standard that ensures New Yorkers will obtain 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2013.
''Energy has become too expensive, too unpredictable, and too damaging to our environment,'' he said. ''It is time to control the cost of energy and how much we use. It is time to make New York more energy independent and more energy efficient, to develop our own sources of clean and renewable energy and to build new statewide systems for energy generation, transmission and distribution.''
Paterson also on Wednesday proposed the creation of an upstate research consortium to develop hybrid electric batteries and energy storage technology.
''The future of America's energy and transportation policies rest on the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles,'' Paterson said. ''The state that positions itself in this market will revitalize its economy for years to come. Upstate New York in particular already has the research infrastructure and manufacturing base to develop such a battery.''
To complement the research consortium, Paterson proposed the creation of a state Energy Policy Institute that would coordinate the expertise of New York's higher education institutions.
''The road to economic recovery goes straight through New York,'' Paterson said. ''The heads of the three big auto companies figured out that they shouldn't go to Washington in their Lear jets. Well, maybe they went to the wrong place. They should have come to New York. We're already a leader in clean energy initiatives and if we can make a breakthrough in hybrid electric batteries, we may play a significant role in helping America's auto industry move toward a more energy efficient future.''
Paterson also announced the creation of a clearinghouse to serve as a single point of access for information on all energy efficiency programs for schools, hospitals, and local governments. A Web site will be created to provide a single point of contact for all of the state's clean energy programs. The clearinghouse will help educate school districts, local governments and hospitals on how to make the greening transition and what resources exist to assist them.
MAYOR TERESI'S RESPONSE
Mayor Sam Teresi, who was invited to the State of the State address by Paterson's office and was asked to make himself available to the statewide media pool following the speech, said he found Paterson's remarks regarding energy and the environment to be ''heartening and gratifying.''
''Economic development will come to us once we put our educational house in order and once we begin working on the energy front with clean energy in particular,'' Teresi said. ''The governor's message that we need to make New York a leader in innovative energy production was quite heartening to me. Jamestown's oxy-coal project was one initiative I think he was alluding to.''
Teresi said he felt state officials are ''fully committed'' to working with Jamestown on the oxy-coal power plant project, which will utilize carbon capture and storage technology.
''I think the governor really outlined an objective of making New York a leader in clean energy development and the intelligent and responsible utilization of energy,'' Teresi said. ''With his prior endorsement of our local project, he obviously feels we fall squarely into that category.''
