Higher surcharge would boost money available for alternative energy projects in state
ALBANY -- Homeowners and businesses may have to dig a bit deeper to help wean the state from fossil fuels and hasten its alternative energy future.
A fee added to utility bills in 2004 called the Renewable Portfolio Standard should be increased to support solar, wind and other energy projects, according to a report issued Monday by the Renewable Energy Task Force, headed by Lt. Gov. David Paterson.
Currently, the state is short of its goal of getting a quarter of electricity from alternative sources by 2013. It now receives 19 percent of its power that way, primarily from large hydropower plants.
The portfolio fee, projected to raise about $782 million by the time it expires in 2013, isn't large enough to spark enough alternative energy to reach those deadlines, according to the report.
During a Capitol news conference, Paterson said an additional $400 million will be needed from utility customers, bringing the fund to a total of more than $1.1 billion.
In the Capital Region, National Grid residential customers are projected to pay $4.77 a year for the fee, according to the Public Service Commission. If the fee were to be increased along the lines suggested by Paterson, that could rise to about $7.22.
"It's not that much off a customer's bill every month," Paterson said.
Gavin Donohue, president of Independent Power Producers of New York, which represents about 80 companies involved in generating electricity, said the Renewable Portfolio Standard has provided significant investment benefits for but is "just one piece of the picture. ... Maybe it is time for assessment of how the money has been spent so far."
The task force also recommended up to $400 million in state funding for clean technology industries, more state funding for solar and wind energy, expanded "green" work force training and a push to move past corn-based ethanol.
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