ALBANY, N.Y. - In his first State of the State address, Gov. David A. Paterson laid out a policy agenda that calls for one of the most ambitious clean energy plans in the nation, setting a “45 by 15” goal that 45 percent of New York State’s electricity needs will be met through improved energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy by 2015. The governor said that this goal will create an estimated 50,000 new jobs for New Yorkers.

“Energy has become too expensive, too unpredictable, and too damaging to our environment,” said Paterson. “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 build new statewide systems for energy generation, transmission, and distribution.”

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 Website 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 green transition and what resources exist to assist them.

Publication date: 01/26/2009