New group will work on unified strategy for advancing NY’s energy economy

New York, NY – On Monday, Rep. Steve Israel of Long Island, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. , Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll of Syracuse and Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito of Rome announced the formation of the New York State Intergovernmental Energy Partnership, a new group of elected officials committed to green energy innovation and helping New York become the new green energy leader in the United States.

“I’m on a mission to make New York State the advanced energy capital of America, just as we used to be the defense capital of America. To do that we need a unified economic strategy that will coordinate the advanced energy capabilities across our state. With that, we can go from competition to cooperation for federal dollars. California has Silicon Valley, New York can be the birthplace of the next great advanced automotive battery,” said Rep. Israel.

“When I took office in May, I made it clear that the environment, and the growth of the ‘green economy’ in my borough, would be a top priority of my administration. This new partnership is a strong first step towards not only identifying areas where intergovernmental partnership can foster new initiatives in the growing green energy field, but finding the funding to support it as well. I am proud to partner with my colleagues in government in this effort,” said Bronx Borough President Diaz.

Mayor Driscoll said, “I am proud to be part of this creative and timely New York State economic energy strategy. Central and Upstate New York is well-positioned for environmental and green collar job growth and can bring to the table a region that boasts some of New York’s elite Universities, along with an abundance of energy based companies that are outpacing the national growth average. What’s most important about this statewide partnership is the strategy of tying all of New York’s efforts together because the green technology sector holds so much promise as the State’s industry leader.”

“This new partnership will allow us to share information, and showcase the growing number of green energy projects in New York State,” said Assemblywoman Destito. “There are a number of examples of successful green energy projects in the Mohawk Valley region I plan to discuss with this new coalition, including Mascoma Corporation’s demonstration project producing ethanol from products that include wood chips and plant products. The Energy Partnership members can work together to produce a plan to strengthen New York State’s clean energy industry, and in turn improve our state’s economy, and make our nation more energy efficient.”

Rep. Israel, Borough President Diaz, Assemblywoman Destito and Mayor Driscoll will serve as co-chairs of the Partnership. The first meeting included 20 elected officials.

The New York State Intergovernmental Energy Partnership will:

Conduct a statewide inventory of companies, colleges and universities, labs and governments that are engaged in cutting-edge clean technology projects;
Foster greater coordination and collaboration throughout New York State on green energy efforts;
Showcase specific innovations located in the areas represented by the participants.

The Partnership was proposed by Rep. Israel, a Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, who has long worked to unite New York’s regions for the purpose of fostering a new alternative energy economy and creating green jobs.

The next meeting of the partnership will be scheduled for Washington, DC, where Rep. Israel will host a summit for participants.