News stories tagged with "efficiency"

(09/27/11) This summer, the St. Lawrence County legislature considered a measure to create a climate action plan. The plan would find ways to save money while reducing the county government's carbon footprint. That could include anything from energy audits in county buildings to anti-idling policies in county parking lots. The legislature tabled the matter because it wanted a better cost-benefit analysis of the plan.

Clarkson University professor Stephen Bird hopes to provide that analysis. Bird studies energy and environmental policy. He's working with faculty and students at all four universities in Canton and Potsdam. Bird told David Sommerstein that climate change models project significant changes for the North Country in the future.

(04/23/07) New wind farms in Clinton and Franklin counties will get state funding for generating renewable power for New York. Noble Environmental Power's wind turbines in the towns of Clinton, Ellenburg, Altona, and Chateaugay are among 21 renewable energy projects that will share $295 million under Governor Spitzer's energy policy. Spitzer unveiled the plan in a speech last week. He said it would also reduce state electricity usage by 15% by 2015. And it would also fast-track new power plants that emit low or no emissions, create jobs to retrofit buildings for energy conservation, and lower utility bills. Environmental and business groups, including National Grid, applauded the announcement. We turn to Ben Wiles for a closer look. He's a senior attorney with the Public Utility Law Project, which represents low income and rural residents on New York's energy issues. He told David Sommerstein Spitzer's proposal is a departure from the former Pataki Administration.