New York Cowboy.org
Home > Hayseeds

Hayseeds rss

The Hayseeds blog, No. 246 for the week starting February 24, 2008.

Sunday

Aubertine Supports Article X Clean and Expedidated Electric Facility Siting Bill

Monday

Free Car if You Solve A Crime

Ralph Nader is In

The End of Senator Bruno?

Republican Establishment Prays for Barclay

Barclay Gets Independence Line

Tuesday

Link: Republican Gets Second Line in a Special Election Upstate - New York Times

Link: New Data Show Rising Inflation and Slumping Home Values - New York Times

Link: The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

Link: Newzjunkycom | Special Senate Election Results.

Link: Big implications in single Senate seat -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY

Link: Innovation

Link: In Mexico, old US. cars find new homes - Los Angeles Times.

Wednesday

Link: Spitzer Scores a Big Victory in Senate Race - February 27, 2008 - The New York Sun

Link: Aubertine: ‘The Winds Of Change In Albany Are Blowing’ » Oswego County Today

Link: SHOCK DEM WIN PUTS BRUNO ON BRINK - New York Post

Link: WWNY TV 7 / WNYF FOX 28 / 7 NEWS

It's Senator Aubertine

The Lack of Momentum

Link: Farms May Be Exempted From Emission Rules - washingtonpostcom.

Link: : U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works :: Majority Page :..

Link: Daylight Saving Wastes Energy, Study Says - WSJcom.

Link: Jason�Bordoff�for Democracy: A Journal of Ideas

Link: High Country News -- February 20, 2008: Primer 3: Recreation

Link: NPR: Fed Chairman Hints at Fresh Rate Cut

Link: RealClearPolitics - Election 2008 - Texas Democratic Primary

Thursday

Link: Flooded Village Files Suit, Citing Corporate Link to Climate Change - New York Times

Link: Warming Law: Dingell-Boucher Redux: Preemption's Last Stand

Link: Soares to seek another 4 years -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY

Link: College textbook prices probed -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY

Link: Panned voting machine OK'd -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY

Link: The Press Republican - Plattsburgh State going green, becoming safer

Link: The Press Republican - Gray fox indicators of change?

Link: State of the Senate in play -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY

Link: Another McNulty vote for Brooks -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY

Link: Early Obama Commitment on Money Becomes Target - New York Times

Link: Democrat & Chronicle: Editorials

Link: Committee aims to ban weapons from county buildings - Oswego, NY - The Palladium-Times

Link: wamc NewsRoom

Link: wamc NewsRoom

Link: The Press Republican - EDITORIAL: A welcome ban on burning is on the way

Link: Marc Gunther » Is “sustainable growth” an oxymoron?

Link: NPR: Slump, Costs, Put Vallejo on Brink of Bankruptcy

The Secret Plan on How the Republicans Plan to Keep the Senate Majority

And Yes Turn Out Really Matters

Friday

Link: Facing Default, Some Walk Out on New Homes

Link: Broad Support for Requiring Health Coverage

Link: Clinton's Blue-Collar Support Wavering

Link: Will US. become world's nuclear-waste dump?.

Link: LeBrun: Election Stumble Shows State Republican Party Out of Step

Link: Tonko Will Announce His Run for Congress

Link: Patterson Proposes Higher Renewable Energy Fee

Link: McEneny Goes Off the Deep End ?!

Link: Amtrack Replacing Defective Ties

Link: NYC To Regulate Cars for Hire

Link: Sharp Rebuke for Developer in Big Project at Landfills - New York Times

Link: NYC Opens A Massive New Public Pool

Link: Coke to add 120 hybrid trucks to its US fleet in 2008

Link: Study: Stabilizing climate requires near-zero emissions

Link: Cap-and-caulk: Reducing Energy Use in Low-Income Housing

Link: Comptroller: NY's debt could increase by 50%

Link: Amish Accused of Violating Building Codes

Link: Watertown: GOP seeking Assembly and Senate candidates

Link: Plattsburgh Rejects Right-to-Life Protest

Link: Phosphorous Still a Problem in Lake Champlain

Link: Raw Milk Popularity Grows

Link: Rural Homes Twice As Likely To Burn

Link: China Replaces Vermont in the Granite Industry

Link: Vermont Yankee Not Paying It's Fairshare in Property Tax

Link: $4-a-gallon Gas Prediction Surprises Bush

Cheap Renewable Energy Brings Companies to New York

Link: Interesting Read: The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo

How the State Proposes to Save Energy, Reduce CO2 Emissions

Link: The Stanford Prison Experiment: A Simulation Study of the Psychology of Imprisonment

Link: A concrete way to help the planet

Link: Chrysler burning waste paint in coal power plants

Link: State GOP looks to redefine message after Senate seat loss

Link: Polarid Film Production Comes to End

February 10, 2008
Hayseeds No. 245

February 24, 2008
Hayseeds No. 246

March 2, 2008
Hayseeds No. 246

Boondocks is about farms, rural life, and power toys.

Energy looks at high energy prices and our future.

Enviroman looks at man and the environment.

Individual looks at myself and how I'm changing

Outblog is all about my outdoor experiences.

Transit looks at the changing ways we get around.

Truck gives you stories and trips in my Ford Ranger.

Hayseeds No. 246

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Aubertine Supports Article X Clean and Expedidated Electric Facility Siting Bill. So most of us would think that's a good thing. But apparently the Barclay folks, in their usual dirty ways are claiming that by doing this, Aubertine has voted to make it easier to build wind turbines and make some money by having them built on his farm.

The scope from the Daily Politics Blog:

Here's the latest hit on Democrat Darrel Aubertine from Republican Will Barclay's campaign - a spot that accuses Aubertine of failing to abstain on windmill-related votes while profiting off the sale of wind rights on his dairy farm to turbine prospectors.

According to Aubertine spokesman Cort Ruddy, who's on vacation from Sen. Dave Valesky's staff to work on this campaign, Aubertine has received $1,000 a year since 2004 from a company that wants to build a wind farm in the North Country and has already received approval from the local town (Cape Vincent) planning board. (Fixed).

If the wind farm doesn't get developed within five years, the wind rights revert to their original owners.

The vote in question here was one that Aubertine cast in favor of the Assembly Democrats' Article 10 power plant siting bill, which would expand the definition of "power" to include wind farms. It would also create a so-called "intervenor fund" that communities interested in fighting energy projects would be able to access to fuel study and potential opposition.

The new Article X is certainly not just about wind but all new energy sources that have a minimal environmental impact. Industry demands more cheap energy, put online quickly, without having to go through a drawn out SERQA process. Passage of the bill would help many farmers, Aubertine included, get wind turbines and other renewable sources of energy built on their land.

But certainly this is not a direct benefit to Aubertine, any more then voting on any particular farm bill that might have some provision effecting the dairy industry in our state.

The reality is the $1,000/year payments Aubertine is getting for securing wind development rights on his farm probably are such a small source of income for his family that it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. How many registered holsteins do you think $1k will buy? How many electricity will it actually buy or fuel for his trucks and tractors? My guess is not much.

Like it or not, many official actions can ultimately have an financial impact on yourself. Getting elected to high office often is good on your pocket book, even if you don't seek out such money. It's not like Bill Barclay folks are above this. They after all have a law firm based entirely on their clout in Albany that brings home the bacon and clients to them. P'Link

Sunset Thru Tree - Clearwater 2008 Series (8/11/08)

Monday, February 25, 2008

Free Car if You Solve A Crime. Terry Marcantino, an used auto dealer in Glens Falls is very upset that somebody broke into his house. And he really wants to get that person.

So he's giving his 1995 Coverette as a prize to anybody who has information that leads to the arrest and conviction to the person who broke into his house. Valued at $20,000 dollars and with only 60,000 miles on it, it's a pretty sweet deal.

P'Link

Ralph Nader is In. He has announced that he is running for President and has some interesting issues that he is bring up on his blog.

Does he have a chance? Of course not, but maybe he will force the other candidates to ask good questions. It's too bad that Ralph doesn't want to play the game, and run a spirited campaign in a major party with actual stragety, but so be it.

P'Link

The End of Senator Bruno? Dicker is reporting that as soon as future Senator Darrell Aubertine takes his seat, the Governor will do the final push to make Bruno fall.

A win by Democrat Darrel Aubertine over GOPer Will Barclay in the Oswego/Watertown-area contest would give Republicans just a single vote control in the 62-member Senate, and "flipping" one Republican senator would bring about a tie.

That would allow Democratic Lt. Gov. David Paterson to cast the decisive vote in a rule-changing battle aimed at picking a Democrat as the Senate's new majority leader.

Democrats have been lobbying to convince at least one maverick Republican, Sen. John Bonacic of Orange County, to switch sides. Bonacic, who has been close to Spitzer, considered switching to the Democratic Party last year.

Former Democrat, Senator Joe Robach should very much be added to the list of likely flippers, especially if he wants to continue his power base. He probably could win re-election as a Democrat in his district. Steve Minarik probably would have a fit about that, but what can he do?

Dicker notes that Bruno might be able to flip some conservative Democrats at the same time:

Worried Republicans, meanwhile, have countered by lobbying a handful of conservative Democrats to stand with Bruno.

Insiders said Spitzer's chief-of-staff, Richard Baum, recently sounded out Sen. Carl Kruger, a Brooklyn Democrat who works closely with the Republicans, on whether he'll vote to replace Bruno in a leadership showdown.

A source familiar with the discussion said it was "virtually certain" Kruger would side with Bruno, noting, "He'd never support [Senate Minority Leader Malcolm] Smith for leader."

That's fascinating.

I wouldn't put that past the governor or the Senate Majority Leader. After Tuesday, it looks like there will be a one seat difference between the Majority and Minority in the Senate, and several former Democrats who are now Republicans might decide to make the jump to change the balance of power.

I could see that happening. I also suspect if it does happen, there will be a new Minority Leader, and it will not be Joesph Bruno who will retire on pressure from his Republican colleagues. Senator Andrew Lanza seems likely to become the next Senate Minority Leader.

The Senate Majority Leader at least until 2009 seems likely to be Senator Malcom Smith, which his members seem fairly committed to. Yet, I suspect the new post-2009 Democratic Senate Majority Conference (!) will eventually settle on somebody more upstate, like Senator Dave Valesky, assuming he wins by a large enough percentage in 2008 to not be a very marginal member like he currently is.

It would be a bad idea for the Democrats to pick a marginal to be the Majority Leader as it would lead them to vulnerable to an attack in 2010—which they could recover from—but would look bad for them. P'Link

Republican Establishment Prays for Barclay. When was out in Oswego, I couldn't believe how the Republicans where dragging their feet around, struggling to keep their heads up, hoping that Aubertine wouldn't tip the scales of the State Senate.

The reality is the Will Barclay is behind in the polls and that he just isn't generating the enthuism that Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine is generating these days. It seems that all the papers, like NY Post are endorsing Barclay in a last ditch effort to try to save the Senate.

I doubt the NY Post is widely read up in Oswego, Mansville, Watertown, or for that matter Central Square. But it's a pretty pathitic editorial repeated over many times:

At stake is the already tight Republican control of the Senate, the last bastion of GOP power in New York state.

A loss by the GOP candidate, well-regarded Assemblyman Will Barclay, would leave Gov. Spitzer and state Democrats only one vote away from an even split in the 62-member Senate. Few in Albany think it will take long after that for Spitzer and the Democrats to entice some Republican senator to switch parties - thereby handing very liberal Lt. Gov. David Paterson the tie-breaking role.

Then an alliance of the hyper-aggressive Spitzer and the lefty Senate Democrats - out of power for more than 40 years - would be free to pursue a hyper-liberal economic agenda featuring vastly expanded social programs (and the inevitably higher taxes needed to pay for them).

I don't think the Senate race is all about some kind of liberal conspiracy, more then any other race. It's about a candidate, and it seems that some are so concerned about keeping their majority, their clout, and their jobs, to really take a look at Aubertine versus Barclay.

That said, I believe the voters know best, and will make the right choice. P'Link

Barclay Gets Independence Line. The Court of Appeals order that tonight all machines have to be reprogrammed to allow voters to be able to vote for Barclay on the independence line if they so choose, ending days of litigation which reached New York's highest court, and potentially could have postponed this election had Barclay's lawyers gotten their way.

Now we are off to election day. I don't think the Independence line will have that much of an impact as most people who will bother to come out in the snow, already have decided who they will vote for and the line won't influence the race much. P'Link

Rensselear - Downtown Albany Series (11/23/07)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Link: Republican Gets Second Line in a Special Election Upstate - New York Times. Republican Gets Second Line in a Special Election Upstate - New York Times P'Link

Link: New Data Show Rising Inflation and Slumping Home Values - New York Times. New Data Show Rising Inflation and Slumping Home Values - New York Times P'Link

Link: The Daily Politics - NY Daily News. Strange Indy Bedfellows P'Link

Link: Newzjunky.com | Special Senate Election Results. Newzjunky.com | Special Senate Election Results P'Link

Link: Big implications in single Senate seat -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY. Big implications in single Senate seat -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY P'Link

Link: Innovation. Innovation P'Link

Link: In Mexico, old U.S. cars find new homes - Los Angeles Times. In Mexico, old U.S. cars find new homes - Los Angeles Times P'Link

Red Light! Stop if You Can. - Four Corners Series (12/19/07)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Link: Spitzer Scores a Big Victory in Senate Race - February 27, 2008 - The New York Sun. Spitzer Scores a Big Victory in Senate Race - February 27, 2008 - The New York Sun P'Link

Link: Aubertine: ‘The Winds Of Change In Albany Are Blowing’ » Oswego County Today. Aubertine: ‘The Winds Of Change In Albany Are Blowing’ » Oswego County Today P'Link

Link: SHOCK DEM WIN PUTS BRUNO ON BRINK - New York Post. SHOCK DEM WIN PUTS BRUNO ON BRINK - New York Post P'Link

Link: WWNY TV 7 / WNYF FOX 28 / 7 NEWS. WWNY TV 7 / WNYF FOX 28 / 7 NEWS P'Link

It's Senator Aubertine. It looks like former Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine has defeated Assemblyman Will Barclay in the 48th Senate district, bringing the Senate Democratic-Republican split to 30-32.

If one more member switches, then it will be 31-31. There is some debate whether or not means the Lieutenant Governor will be able to cast the tie-breaking vote to pick the next Majority Leader and Committee Chairs in the Senate.

It appears the constitution would allow that and the Senate rules don't even mention what happens in the tie. But some people note the constitution is less then clear:

§ 6. The lieutenant-governor shall possess the same qualifications of eligibility for office as the governor. The lieutenant-governor shall be the president of the senate but shall have only a casting vote therein. The lieutenant-governor shall receive for his or her services an a

A casting vote is a vote used to break a tie. Theoretically that should apply to resolutions choosing the committee chairs and the Majority Leader, but Alan Chartock and some other people have their doubts based on New York history.

Some music:

See the Daily KOs Coverage and some of the links on the link page. P'Link

The Lack of Momentum. Not surprisingly on Fred Dicker's show this morning, Senator Tom Libous who is likely to be the next Senate Minority Leader tried to hold face and put a good spin on last night's defeat.

But the reality is the NY Senate Republicans have stalled and are dying.

Last week we noted that 1199 SEIU recently tried to hold face about their support for the Republican Senate Majority, by cashing a $100k check into Republican coffers, after it was discovered that they where quietly giving money to the Working Families Party in surregate for Darrel Aubertine, despite endorsing Assemblyman Barclay.

Unions, and even some members of the Senate Republican caucus must be questioning who they want to be supporting as of today. They don't want to be on the wrong side of things, and be left out of the Albany process. P'Link

Link: Farms May Be Exempted From Emission Rules - washingtonpost.com. Farms May Be Exempted From Emission Rules P'Link

Link: .: U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works :: Majority Page :.. EPA Warned Johnson About California EPA Waiver P'Link

Link: Daylight Saving Wastes Energy, Study Says - WSJ.com. Daylight Saving Wastes Energy? P'Link

Link: Jason�Bordoff�for Democracy: A Journal of Ideas. Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance P'Link

Link: High Country News -- February 20, 2008: Primer 3: Recreation. High Country News -- February 20, 2008: Primer 3: Recreation P'Link

Link: NPR: Fed Chairman Hints at Fresh Rate Cut. NPR: Fed Chairman Hints at Fresh Rate Cut P'Link

Link: RealClearPolitics - Election 2008 - Texas Democratic Primary. Texas Democratic Primary Polls P'Link

Yellow and Blue - Springtime in the Park Series (5/8/08)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Link: Flooded Village Files Suit, Citing Corporate Link to Climate Change - New York Times. Flooded Village Files Suit, Citing Corporate Link to Climate Changes P'Link

Link: Warming Law: Dingell-Boucher Redux: Preemption's Last Stand. Dingell-Boucher Redux: Preemption's Last Stand P'Link

Link: Soares to seek another 4 years -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY. Soares to seek another 4 years P'Link

Link: College textbook prices probed -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY. College textbook prices probed P'Link

Link: Panned voting machine OK'd -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY. Panned voting machine OK'd P'Link

Link: The Press Republican - Plattsburgh State going green, becoming safer. Plattsburgh State going green, becoming safer P'Link

Link: The Press Republican - Gray fox indicators of change?. Gray fox indicators of change? P'Link

Link: State of the Senate in play -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY. State of the Senate in play P'Link

Link: Another McNulty vote for Brooks -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY. Another McNulty vote for Brooks P'Link

Link: Early Obama Commitment on Money Becomes Target - New York Times. Early Obama Commitment on Money Becomes Target P'Link

Link: Democrat & Chronicle: Editorials. Upstate Needs Better Rail Service P'Link

Link: Committee aims to ban weapons from county buildings - Oswego, NY - The Palladium-Times. Committee aims to ban weapons from county buildings - Oswego, NY - The Palladium-Times P'Link

Link: wamc NewsRoom. NYS Farmland Preservation Funding Goes Local P'Link

Link: wamc NewsRoom. Auto Glass Recycling Plant to Open in MA P'Link

Link: The Press Republican - EDITORIAL: A welcome ban on burning is on the way. The Press Republican - EDITORIAL: A welcome ban on burning is on the way P'Link

Link: Marc Gunther » Is “sustainable growth” an oxymoron?. Marc Gunther » Is “sustainable growth” an oxymoron? P'Link

Link: NPR: Slump, Costs, Put Vallejo on Brink of Bankruptcy. NPR: Slump, Costs, Put Vallejo on Brink of Bankruptcy P'Link

The Secret Plan on How the Republicans Plan to Keep the Senate Majority. It's all said by this image by the Albany Project weblog in all too few words.

(And no, I did not create this photo or this concept.)

P'Link

And Yes Turn Out Really Matters. Wonder why the Democrats where able to take the SD-48 seat with the ever so wonderful Darrel Aubertine?

This map explains an awful lot:

From The Albany Project:

County2/26
Turnout
2006
Turnout
% of
2006
Aubertine
%
Jefferson (118th AD)12,87715,62482%68%
St. Lawrence10,58614,40873%61%
Jefferson (rest)8,48110,72678%58%
Oswego21,36533,45264%37%

In 2006, Jefferson & St. Lawrence Counties accounted for 55% of the vote in SD-48; yesterday they cast nearly 60% of ballots district-wide. P'Link

Pete Blesses the River - Clearwater 2008 Series (7/23/08)

Friday, February 29, 2008

Link: Facing Default, Some Walk Out on New Homes. Facing Default, Some Walk Out on New Homes P'Link

Link: Broad Support for Requiring Health Coverage. Broad Support for Requiring Health Coverage P'Link

Link: Clinton's Blue-Collar Support Wavering. Clinton's Blue-Collar Support Wavering P'Link

Link: Will U.S. become world's nuclear-waste dump?. Will U.S. become world's nuclear-waste dump? P'Link

Link: LeBrun: Election Stumble Shows State Republican Party Out of Step. LeBrun: Election Stumble Shows State Republican Party Out of Step P'Link

Link: Tonko Will Announce His Run for Congress. Tonko Will Announce His Run for Congress P'Link

Link: Patterson Proposes Higher Renewable Energy Fee. Patterson Proposes Higher Renewable Energy Fee P'Link

Link: McEneny Goes Off the Deep End ?!. McEneny Goes Off the Deep End ?! P'Link

Link: Amtrack Replacing Defective Ties. Amtrack Replacing Defective Ties P'Link

Link: NYC To Regulate Cars for Hire. NYC To Regulate Efficiency on Cars for Hire P'Link

Link: Sharp Rebuke for Developer in Big Project at Landfills - New York Times. Sharp Rebuke for Developer in Big Project at Landfills P'Link

Link: NYC Opens A Massive New Public Pool. NYC Opens A Massive New Public Pool P'Link

Link: Coke to add 120 hybrid trucks to its US fleet in 2008. Coke to add 120 hybrid trucks to its US fleet in 2008 P'Link

Link: Study: Stabilizing climate requires near-zero emissions. Study: Stabilizing climate requires near-zero emissions P'Link

Link: Cap-and-caulk: Reducing Energy Use in Low-Income Housing. Cap-and-caulk: Reducing Energy Use in Low-Income Housing P'Link

Link: Comptroller: NY's debt could increase by 50%. Comptroller: NY's debt could increase by 50% P'Link

Link: Amish Accused of Violating Building Codes. Amish Accused of Violating Building Codes P'Link

Link: Watertown: GOP seeking Assembly and Senate candidates. Watertown: GOP seeking Assembly and Senate candidates P'Link

Link: Plattsburgh Rejects Right-to-Life Protest. Plattsburgh Rejects Right-to-Life Protest P'Link

Link: Phosphorous Still a Problem in Lake Champlain. Phosphorous Still a Problem in Lake Champlain P'Link

Link: Raw Milk Popularity Grows. Raw Milk Popularity Grows P'Link

Link: Rural Homes Twice As Likely To Burn. Rural Homes Twice As Likely To Burn P'Link

Link: China Replaces Vermont in the Granite Industry. China Replaces Vermont in the Granite Industry P'Link

Link: Vermont Yankee Not Paying It's Fairshare in Property Tax. Vermont Yankee Not Paying It's Fairshare in Property Tax P'Link

Link: $4-a-gallon Gas Prediction Surprises Bush. $4-a-gallon Gas Prediction Surprises Bush P'Link

Cheap Renewable Energy Brings Companies to New York. It looks like Green Island will be getting some new business, thanks to NYPA's cheap hydropower they get off the Mohawk River.

The allure of cheap hydroelectric power persuaded a metal cutting service company to relocate one of its two Albany facilities to Green Island instead of to Florida or Ohio, the New York Power Authority announced Wednesday.

Arcadia Supply will invest $4 million on a new building and equipment in the village and create 15 new jobs. That move follows NYPA trustees’ recent approval of the allocation of 150 kilowatts of hydropower to the Green Island Power Authority.

Thirty-eight workers will also be shifted to the new facility, which will feature four times more manufacturing floor space than Arcadia’s plant in Albany. The company based on Erie Boulevard was founded in 1969.

Arcadia uses lasers and water-jet cutting systems to cut metals and high-temperature metal alloys. Its metals and alloys are used for architectural, ornamental, military and power generation applications.

They say our electricity is too expensive to attract businesses. But when pared with cheap hydro power and a good deal from the state, it definitely is possible for our state to attract new businesses. P'Link

Link: Interesting Read: The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo. Interesting Read: The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo P'Link

How the State Proposes to Save Energy, Reduce CO2 Emissions. While David Patterson's report was panned by some has being overly expensive and wasteful, it does have many meaningful ideas on how we can reduce our carbon footprint as a state and save money at the same time.

SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Task Force determined the 16 recommendations contained in this report are integral to a comprehensive policy Roadmap to move New York towards greater renewable energy development and greater energy independence. The following five recommendations comprise the central elements of this Roadmap.

  • Re-Commit to Meeting the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard Goal and Evaluate Raising Renewable Energy Target: To instill investor confidence in the future renewable power markets in New York, and to ensure the State meets its renewable energy goals, full funding should be provided for the RPS program. The revised cost study currently underway at the Department of Public Service should provide the information necessary for the Public Service Commission to expeditiously authorize the collection of all funding needed to achieve New York’s RPS goals.
  • Enhance and Expand New York’s Existing Net Metering Law: Net metering is a simple, low-cost program that allows electricity customers who operate their own on-site distributed generators to deliver excess power to their local utility, which then distributes it to other customers. New York’s current net metering law contains size limitations and customer class exclusions that limit the growth of the renewable energy market in multiple ways. The Task Force calls for the Legislature to pass a new net-metering law this year to allow net metering for all customer classes where appropriate; increase size for projects eligible for net metering; and require detailed annual reporting by electric power companies to the PSC.
  • Invest in Clean Energy Businesses for Economic Growth: New York currently invests in clean-tech industry initiatives through NYSERDA and the Empire State Development Corporation. In order to support New York’s national leadership in clean-tech business growth, the State should continue to enhance and expand these collaborative clean-tech initiatives. The state should increase its funding commitment by a minimum of $400 million over four years through financial incentives to support technology clusters. In addition, the State should: increase opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses and businesses located in disadvantaged communities; enter into long-term state contracts for transportation and space heating fuels; and review public pension fund investment guidelines and state and local tax policies to stimulate investment.
  • Build a Sustainable Market for Solar Energy in New York State: The Task Force recommends a comprehensive set of programs to address market needs along with an investment in public/private research to ensure that New York continues to capture the economic benefits of solar energy. Programs will focus on: creating incentives for solar system manufacturers to develop and distribute their products in New York; promoting cost-efficient systems; creating well-paying solar installation jobs; and creating incentives for both homeowners and businesses to choose solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. To jumpstart the growth of the solar industry in New York, the State should set a goal to install 100 MW of solar photovoltaic and 1,100 solar thermal systems statewide by 2011.
  • Develop a Strategy to Reap the Benefits of New York’s Wind Energy Potential: Wind energy offers the opportunity for clean, renewable power to be generated in New York State. The Task Force recommends that the state commit to realizing the potential of wind energy by addressing local siting and permitting issues, and conducting studies to address transmission and infrastructure limitations. New York has the most wind energy development potential in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region. The more than 5,000 MW of wind energy that has applied for interconnection to the grid shows the industry's interest in and commitment to New York, and the State should support project development and interconnection efforts.

Adherence to the following additional recommendations is essential to the comprehensive, fully-integrated implementation of the State’s Roadmap to greater renewable energy development:

  • Develop Both a Renewable Fuels Roadmap and a Sustainable Biomass Feedstock Study: The Task force believes that current state policy on renewable fuels is not adequate and that no single renewable fuel will answer the increasing energy needs of the State. New York should address critical concerns regarding the specific fuels we may use – both to solve our energy mandates, and to prioritize environmental, land-use and health concerns in policy-decision making. As a result of the Task Force initiative, the state is proceeding with an RFP for the development of the renewable fuels roadmap and feedstock study.
  • Expand Training Programs to Sustain a Green Collar Workforce: Renewable energy research, development, and installation are emerging job growth sectors. We recommend that the State align and expand existing accredited training programs to recruit and develop an abundant supply of highly skilled workers who can design, install and maintain renewable energy and energy efficiency systems across the state. The state departments and agencies that provide workforce training programs – Department of Labor, NYSERDA, SUNY, and others – should collaboratively and immediately conduct an inventory of existing programs, and streamline or develop programs to suit the needs of the state’s growing renewable energy sector. Governor Spitzer included $2 million in his Executive Budget for green collar workforce solar training at community colleges across New York.
  • Improve Overall Agency Consistency and Coordination: The State should consider reconstituting the State Energy Planning Board to facilitate consistent policy and program implementation.
  • Use Creative Financing to Promote Investment in the Renewable Energy Industry: The Task Force recommends that the State explore all alternative-financing mechanisms available to support its renewable energy and efficiency goals, such as a Clean Energy Bond Act initiative; and investment and production tax credits.
  • Expand Research and Development efforts for Renewable Energy: The Task Force recommends that the state fund research for solar, bio-fuels, small wind, Combined Heat and Power/efficiency demonstrations, grid interconnection, energy storage, and end-use efficiency technologies by implementing multi-year research programs. Included in this recommendation is the establishment of a Center for Advanced Technology, with a focus on the development and enhancement of processes and products involving renewable energy and bio fuel systems.
  • Reclaim a Leadership Role Through Building and Product Energy Performance: A comprehensive building and product efficiency program in New York, combined with updated energy codes and low-income affordable housing programs, will provide a competitive advantage to New York as well as increased environmental and economic benefits.
  • Encourage the Use of Advanced Metering and Smart-Grid Technology: The Public Service Commission should accelerate the implementation of advanced metering policies, which will allow consumers to remotely control their electric use, provide time sensitive monitoring of electricity use, and use price signals to increase consumer awareness of electricity use and reduce peak electricity consumption.
  • Build on Public and Private Educational Programs: The role of education is critical in bringing about the transformational changes in, and public acceptance of, the clean energy sector. The State needs an aggressive statewide consumer educational campaign to increase market awareness.
  • Facilitate Interconnection Processes for Renewable Distributed Generation: The Public Service Commission and the Long Island Power Authority should explore a more streamlined, transparent interconnection process for renewable distributed generation installations.
  • Expand Purchases of Renewable Energy by Local Governments: In order to facilitate the utilization of green power at all levels of government, the State should identify and address any statutory or regulatory barriers to municipal government purchases of green power.
  • Create a Vehicle Efficiency/Vehicle Miles Traveled Working Group: New York should create an interagency working group to develop a strategy to reduce vehicle miles traveled and increase vehicle efficiency, including through the greater use of car pooling.

Click here to view full report.

Hopefully with the soon to be Democratic Majority in the State Senate, the Governor and his Lieutenant can get many of these things passed into law. They are great ideas, despite their potential cost. P'Link

Link: The Stanford Prison Experiment: A Simulation Study of the Psychology of Imprisonment. The Stanford Prison Experiment: A Simulation Study of the Psychology of Imprisonment P'Link

Link: A concrete way to help the planet. A concrete way to help the planet P'Link

Link: Chrysler burning waste paint in coal power plants. Chrysler burning waste paint in coal power plants P'Link

Link: State GOP looks to redefine message after Senate seat loss. State GOP looks to redefine message after Senate seat loss P'Link

Link: Polarid Film Production Comes to End. Polarid Film Production Comes to End P'Link

Town Houses - Summer 2008 Series (7/31/08)

Copyright ©1999-2008 Andy Arthur.
All mistakes are intentional or otherwise.
Mind where you step in a cow pasture or legal mindfield.