Guest blog by AWEA's Kathy Belyeu
At the fall conference of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), the mood was mixed – a feeling of success in having 1,275 MW of wind installed in NY-- several years ago, NY had only 48 MW of wind energy--together with some apprehension about what it will take to fulfill the state’s renewable and climate change goals.
The good news is that a decision on additional funding and program changes is expected before the end of the year. And the state's Assistant Secretary for Energy, Kimberly Harriman, made it clear that the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) continues to have the strong support of Governor Paterson.
NY has an RPS target of 25% by 2013, which the Governor wants raised to 30% by 2015 to track more closely with his energy efficiency goal of 15% by 2015. The RPS target includes existing hydro (although it doesn’t receive RPS financial support) so the target is approximately 6.5% for new renewable generation, taking into account load growth and other exemptions. The RPS is administered by the State energy authority, which issues 10-year contracts for Renewable Energy Credits.
New York does face significant challenges including the need for more transmission and a streamlined siting process, both of which were addressed by the conference speakers. In addition, the RPS needs an infusion of cash, stronger state agency support, and some program changes to make it a more market-based system. ACE NY and its members are actively engaged in efforts to support the RPS and wind energy development.
The conference featured keynote addresses by Gil Quiniones, COO of the New York Power Authority and Kimberly Harriman, NY Assistant Secretary for Energy. In addition, a group of smart grid transmission and supply chain experts, including representatives from the US DOE, National Grid, the Long Island Power Authority, BP Solar, AWEA, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, made presentations.
The state also is seeing interest in offshore wind development and solar energy, although most renewable energy advocates and wind developers strongly believe that onshore wind resources offer the greatest short-term potential and are more cost effective. |
