NY needs more clean, renewable electric power resources. It also provides an economic stimulus for rural areas and reduces air pollution. The Commission s action increases wind energy funding by nearly four times above previous funding levels. The funds from the Commission's 1996 order helped establish NY's first two large-scale wind farms that went on line last fall in Madison and Wyoming Counties. NY has considerable untapped wind power resources and ranks higher than California in wind energy potential.
Funding is raised through a charge on electric bills.
The increase is equivalent to about 72 cents a month on an average household electric bill. Spending on energy conservation and renewables is, however, very likely to substantially reduce electric prices and bills, since energy efficiency and renewable energy help avoid electric power and natural gas shortages that create price spikes in today s electricity markets. Regulatory action is needed to broaden opportunities for consumers to make wind energy part of their everyday electric power supply. State income tax credits would create a thriving small wind turbine industry here. The association's membership of more than 700 includes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals from 49 states.