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January 24, 2001 - At its session today, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) took action to increase funding for wind, solar and biomass energy sources and for energy conservation. Today's Commission decision will provide $47.5 million over five years for development of large-scale wind farms and encourage the use of small wind turbines on farms and rural homesteads. Over the next five years the funding is expected to result in construction of over 200 megawatts of wind turbine generating capacity in New York State, enough to meet the annual energy needs of 84,000 homes. "NY needs more clean, renewable electric power resources. This action will boost wind energy, create jobs and help make our electric power supplies more secure and affordable," said David Wooley, spokesman for the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Wooley, who is AWEA's regional director, added, "Wind energy development makes our electric power supply more secure by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and insulating us from price spikes caused by shortages. It also provides an economic stimulus for rural areas and reduces air pollution." The Commission’s action increases wind energy funding by nearly four times above previous funding levels. The funds from the Commission's 1996 order helped establish NY's first two large-scale wind farms that went on line last fall in Madison and Wyoming Counties. NY has considerable untapped wind power resources and ranks higher than California in wind energy potential. Industry experts believe that wind energy could ultimately supply 5000 megawatts of electric power generation, enough to meet 8-10% of the state's electric power consumption. The Commission’s decision today renewed and expanded funding for the Energy Smart Programs, administered by the NY State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Funding is raised through a charge on electric bills. The Commission raised the charge from less than a tenth of a cent per kilowatt hour, to approximately 0.14 cents/kWh (1.4 mills/kwh). The increase is equivalent to about 72 cents a month on an average household electric bill. Spending on energy conservation and renewables is, however, very likely to substantially reduce electric prices and bills, since energy efficiency and renewable energy help avoid electric power and natural gas shortages that create price spikes in today’s electricity markets. Wooley noted that today’s Commission action should be viewed as part of a broader set of state policies needed to secure clean and affordable electric power supplies for the NY. "Distribution utilities, the state power authorities (NYPA and LIPA) have important responsibilities to develop renewable energy resources. Regulatory action is needed to broaden opportunities for consumers to make wind energy part of their everyday electric power supply. State income tax credits would create a thriving small wind turbine industry here." Download background on Wind Status in New York and U.S., January 24, 2001 (PDF File) ### AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy |
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2000 by the American Wind Energy Association. |
