Will create master plan for a more sustainable energy future

Click the image above to read our 2008 State Policy Agenda.NEW YORK -- The New York League of Conservation Voters, the nonpartisan voice for New York's environmental community, today applauded Gov. David Paterson for authorizing the creation and implementation of an energy plan for the state.

The energy sector is one of the greatest producers of greenhouse gases, accounting for nearly a third of overall carbon emissions in the United States. Through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the "15 by 15" energy efficiency goal, New York has emerged as a national leader in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this sector. But the state has lacked a comprehensive energy plan that projects our future needs and proposes ways to meet them, while making environmental sustainability a top priority.

A comprehensive energy plan has been one of the key items on our 2008 State Policy Agenda, and a focal point of our Climate Action PAC. Click here to sign a petition and remind Albany leaders how important this issue is to you.

"The creation of an energy roadmap will be tremendously important if New York is to remain an economic and environmental leader among the states," said Marcia Bystryn, executive director of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "We know that the New York must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The question is how to do that while keeping the state economically competitive and keeping rates affordable."

Gov. Paterson's Executive Order No. 2 seeks to answer that question, by balancing demand forecasts with cost, environmental and feasibility studies to create a multi-faceted energy strategy. The State Energy Planning Board will submit its draft plan by March 31, 2009 and a final plan by June 20, 2009. The plan will be updated every three years.

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The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, policy-making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision makers, and voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York State.