State Energy Plan Focuses on Renewables ALBANY, NY (WXXI) - A task force set up to develop a new statewide energy plan wants New York to increase its use of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources. At the same time, it's pushing greater conservation measures.

Lieutenant Governor David Patterson and members of the Renewable Energy Task Force released their plan today. It's a set of recommendations to set up a long-term renewable energy program for New York.

Patterson says it starts with fully funding an initiative that started with former Governor George Pataki, called the "Renewable Portfolio Standard." That called for adding a few cents to utility bills to set up a fund that would help promote renewable energy projects in the Empire State.

The Lieutenant Governor says that would cost New Yorkers' a little more on their utility bills each month. In return it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars a year to help businesses develop and build renewable energy facilities. Workers would also be trained in that growing field.

Patterson says it will help New York get to the goal set by the Pataki Administration in 2004 -- getting 25 percent of the state's energy supply from renewables by 2013.

To do that, Patterson says New York should jump start both its wind and solar energy incentives. He says despite what skeptics may say, New York has as much average sunlight as Germany, which is the world's leader in solar electric production.

State government would also take a lead role by encouraging car pooling and reducing the number of miles traveled by state vehicles.
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