Cape Vincent, NY, Dec 07, 2012 — BP Energy was in Cape Vincent last week to give a presentation on New York State's Article X process for siting power generation projects.

It was another contentious encounter between local anti-wind power activists and BP representatives over the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Aug 07, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo was at Fort Drum yesterday, where he toured an idled coal plant that is being converted to produce power using wood biomass. He met with the press afterward. As Joanna Richards reports, the governor announced he would send a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta urging the Defense Department to draw up a contract with the plant to provide energy to Fort Drum.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Jul 11, 2012 — This week, North Country Public Radio has been taking another look at how renewable and local energy might reshape the region's economy.

State and local leaders are making big investments in everything from hydro to biomass. And more and more families and businesses are slowly converting away from fossil fuels, adding solar panels or small wind turbines. But big hurdles remain. Start-up costs for green energy technology are steep. Government incentives can be confusing. Many consumers are sticking with natural gas and oil, at least for the time being.

One of the men on the front line of this turbulent energy revolution is Pat Curran. He opened Curran Renewable Energy in Massena three years ago with $11 million in support from the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency. He makes burnable wood pellets, supplying some big institutions, including Clarkson University in Potsdam and the Wild Center in Tupper Lake.

Wood pellets are cheaper than fuel oil and much better for the environment. But Curran has struggled to find enough customers to keep his plant operating. Jasmine Wallace has our profile.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 01, 2012 — U.S. Energy Sectretary Dr. Steven Chu was in Albany recently, just a few weeks after President Barack Obama visited the capitol.

Chu told The Innovation Trail's Marie Cusick New York is on the right track with its broad energy policy.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Feb 13, 2012 — The U.S. government supports renewable energy with money for research and tax breaks. But as the Innovation Trail's Matt Richmond reports, that backing has come under political fire, and the industry is already feeling the effects.  Go to full article

Jul 04, 2011 — New York's Labor Department says the transition to an economy more reliant on green jobs make look a little different than expected and take a little longer.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, May 25, 2011 — As summer driving season gets underway, researchers at SUNY's College of Environmental Science and Forestry continue work on a greener alternative to power your car. Emma Jacobs took a bio-fueled test drive for the Innovation Trail.  Go to full article

Jun 02, 2010 — While the debate rages over pollution of outdoor wood boilers, a new generation of wood heat systems is already being rolled out.

Scientists and manufacturers say so-called "wood gasification" boilers burn much more efficiently with far less smoke and ash. A new, state-of-the-art boiler is now on-line at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, burning wood pellets produced in Massena.

As Brian Mann reports, the manufacturer hopes to sell similar systems to businesses and government offices across the North Country.  Go to full article

Letart, WV, Jan 29, 2010 — "Clean coal" got a mention in President Obama's State of the Union address this week. Along with nuclear power and alternative energy sources, the President listed clean coal as an important sources for energy for the country.

He also promised to move forward on climate change reductions. And here, America is in a bind. Almost half of our electricity comes from coal. But compared to other power sources, coal produces the most carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Industry is testing new technology in hopes of fulfilling the promise of "clean coal." Shawn Allee has this update on a test project that has some hard work left to do.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Dec 07, 2009 — An energy efficiency not-for-profit best known for its annual alternative energy fair is closing. Community Energy Services was based in Canton and employed eight people. It was dropped from a state contract that provided most of its income. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article