April 09, 2010

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Announces $204 Million Awarded for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects

Funding Will Increase New York's Use of Hydroelectric, Wind, and Biomass Energy

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in conjunction with the Public Service Commission (PSC), has awarded $204 million of funding to eight large-scale electric generating projects to produce and deliver renewable electricity to New York consumers.  The projects will be funded through the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which finances the development of renewable energy resources that will help reduce harmful emissions, increase energy security, and build a clean energy economy.

Governor David Paterson said, “The money we’ve devoted to renewable energy represents an important investment in strengthening New York’s clean energy economy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, creating jobs, and controlling New Yorkers’ energy costs into the future.  Continuing to diversify our energy mix will make New York more competitive and more business-friendly in the decades to come.” 

The funding will support wind power initiatives at the Hardscrabble (Herkimer County), Steel Winds II (Erie County), and Marble River (Clinton County) wind projects; hydroelectric projects including upgrades to the Wappingers Falls (Dutchess County) and Taylorville (Lewis County) power projects; and biofuel projects including co-firing operations at the NRG Dunkirk (Chautauqua County) facility, landfill gas-to-electricity at the Albany Energy (Albany County) project, and a new 100 percent biomass Black River Generation  project (Jefferson County). 

NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. said: “New York’s RPS program has been instrumental in attracting private investment in renewable energy and supporting Governor David Paterson’s ambitious clean energy agenda. With the Public Service Commission’s continued and ongoing commitment to increasing New York’s use of renewable energy, New York will help create jobs, improve our environment, and strengthen our energy security.”

Chairman of the Public Service Commission Garry Brown said: "The RPS Program has been a key element to Governor Paterson's strategy for obtaining a more diversified energy portfolio for New York State. NYSERDA has successfully completed another competitive solicitation for renewable energy resources and projects to help boost the State's clean energy economy. Continued implementation of the RPS program allows New York to take greater control of its energy future."

Once operational, the eight projects announced today will add more than 318 megawatts of renewable capacity and produce nearly 1,100,00 megawatt hours per year of clean renewable energy, enough clean energy to supply approximately 180,000 homes.  The projects were competitively selected for funding from the fifth Main-Tier RPS solicitation (RFP 1851).  The weighted average price of the selected projects is $21.17 per megawatt hour of production. 

Last year, the Public Service Commission, acting on a goal set by Governor David Paterson, expanded the RPS goal to increase the proportion of renewable electricity sold in New York from 25 percent to 30 percent by 2015.  Under the Governor’s ‘45 by 15’ goal, in addition to obtaining 30 percent of our electricity through renewable technologies, another 15 percent will be obtained through energy efficiency measures. 

New York is nationally recognized for its investments in clean renewable energy technologies.  Including projects from this latest solicitation, 39 projects have been selected under the RPS program representing more than 1,532megawatts of renewable capacity.  These include 14 wind farms, 19 hydroelectric facility upgrades, one landfill-gas project, three power plants that will partially displace coal with biomass, and two power plants that will use 100 percent clean renewable biomass.  Of the 39 projects selected to-date, 26 are operating, five are under construction, and the eight selected under this solicitation are under development. 

Contact:
Jeffrey Gordon, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext. 3544
jrg@nyserda.ny.gov