Printer-friendlyEnvironment DEC
From the May 2008 issue
Meeting Downstate Energy Needs
Governor David A. Paterson outlined the initial steps his administration will take to meet the growing demand for energy on Long Island and in the New York City metropolitan region. He also made public his opposition to the Broadwater Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project proposed for Long Island Sound.
"One of my goals is to protect Long Island Sound by preserving it as a valuable estuary, an economic engine for the region and a key component to making Long Island's quality of life one of the best in the country," said Governor Paterson. "Broadwater does not pass that test. Shame on us if we can't develop a responsible energy policy without sacrificing one of our greatest natural and economic resources."
Developing Alternatives
The Governor outlined a set of initial steps for developing comprehensive alternatives:
State Energy Planning Board Executive Order: An executive order was announced to establish a state energy planning board charged with preparing a state energy plan. The state's energy-planning statute expired in 2003, and there has been no energy plan since, despite advances in technology, science and the reality of global warming.
The Long Island Power Authority's $1 billion, 10-year "Efficiency Long Island" plan will reduce electric demand
Efficiency Initiatives: The state's two major power authorities have been directed to aggressively pursue energy conservation. To that end, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is preparing a $1 billion, 10-year "Efficiency Long Island" initiative to reduce electricity demand on Long Island. In addition, the New York Power Authority has committed to almost doubling its conservation budget to $1.4 billion through 2015 to reduce electricity use by government buildings and schools throughout the state. The current administration will be exploring how to integrate natural gas efficiency measures into its overall efforts to reduce electricity demand 15 percent below projected levels by 2015.
Increasing Supply: Increasing gas pipeline capacity to Long Island and the downstate region and examining alternative natural gas proposals, including LNG, will be pursued. LIPA will be issuing an RFP for a major source of solar power for Long Island.
Energy Cost and Supply
"One of my other goals is to address high energy costs," Governor Paterson said. "By both reducing the amount of energy demand and aggressively pursuing new, responsible supply, we can get our state on a path toward lower energy costs, economic revitalization and a cleaner, healthier environment."
