– State Energy Plan Finalized, Includes Aggressive Climate & Clean Energy Commitment

June 25, 2015

Today, the Cuomo administration finalized the State Energy Plan which establishes clean energy goals and a framework on how New York’s energy is to be produced, distributed and consumed.

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2015

State Energy Plan Finalized, Includes Aggressive Climate & Clean Energy Commitment

Albany – Today, the Cuomo administration finalized the State Energy Plan, which establishes clean energy goals and a framework on how New York’s energy is to be produced, distributed and consumed.

The following response is attributable to Conor Bambrick, air and energy director for Environmental Advocates NY:

“The State Energy Plan sets clear benchmarks and standards that will operationalize Governor Cuomo’s prior commitment to reducing climate pollution 80 percent by 2050. This includes 2030 goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, receive 50 percent of our energy from clean renewable sources, and increase energy efficiency by 23 percent. The Governor and his team deserve credit for such an aggressive plan.

There will be no way to achieve these goals, however, if the state continues to make bad decisions that stall progress and exacerbate our climate problems, such as re-firing outdated fossil fuel plants and raiding carbon abatement programs like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Nearly 100,000 New Yorkers submitted comments on the draft plan. Those comments focused largely on issues like climate change, wind and solar power, and the need for the state to reduce climate pollution across all economic sectors. It’s an enormous level of engagement, and reflects that New Yorkers are paying attention. We applaud people for taking time out of their lives to make their voices heard!

Environmental Advocates congratulates the Cuomo administration for releasing a State Energy Plan that makes many important and necessary commitments. We look forward to working with the administration to ensure these promises are kept and that all of the decisions our state makes moving forward are done with a clear eye on whether they help or hurt us in achieving these goals. We will also work with the Legislature to codify them. The Assembly passed legislation to do this (A.6072), but Senate leadership has failed to bring the bill up for a vote. It is time for these goals to be set into law.” 

###