- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
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The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), established in 1975, is a public benefit corporation, located in Albany, New York, with regional offices in NYC, Buffalo, and West Valley.
NYSERDA offers information and analysis, programs, technical expertise, and funding aimed at helping New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals are charged with protecting the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA collaborates with businesses, industry, the federal government, academia, the environmental community, public interest groups, and energy market participants to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet New York State’s goal of “45 by 15.”
Contents
About NYSERDA
Mission Statement
Advance innovative energy solutions in ways that improve New York's economy and environment.[1]
Vision Statement
To serve as a catalyst - advancing energy innovation and technology, transforming New York's economy, empowering people to choose clean and efficient energy as a part of their everyday lives.[2]
Funding Sources
- System Benefits Charge (SBC)
- Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
- Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS)
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- Clean Air Interstate Rule
Responsibilities
- Conducting a multifaceted energy and environmental research and development program to meet New York State's diverse econimic needs.
- Making energy more affordable for residential and low-income households.
- Helping industries, schools, hospitals, municipalities, not-for-profits, and the residential sector, including low-income residents, implement energy efficiency measures.
- Provide objective, credible, and useful energy analysis and planning to guide decisions made by major energy stakeholders in the private and public sectors.
- Managing the Western New York Nuclear Service Center at West Valley, including: (1) overseeing the State's interestes and share of costs at the West Valley Demonstration Project, a federal/State radioactive waste clean-up effort, and (2) managing wastes and maintaining facilities at the shut-down State Licensed Disposal Area.
- Coordinating the State's activities on nuclear energy matters including the regulation of radioactive materials, and monitoring low-level radioactive waste generation and management in the State.
- Financing energy-related projects, reducing costs for ratepayers.[3]
Governance
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is governed by a 13-member Board appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the New York Senate.
Francis J. Murray, Jr., serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of NYSERDA and reports directly to the Board of Directors.
The Board oversees the development of the Authority’s budget and program plan, and the processes, policies and procedures in which staff are to perform their duties in their efforts to fulfill NYSERDA’s mission, and in the public’s interest. The Commissioners of the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Transportation and the Chairmen of the New York Power Authority and Public Service Commission serve ex officio. Additional members must include: research scientist(s), economist(s), not-for-profit environmentalist(s), member(s) of a not-for-profit consumer group, officer(s) of a utility, primarily engaged in the distribution of gas, officer(s) of an electric utility, and three public members.[4]
History
1970s
In 1975, the New York State Legislature created the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Working with other State agencies, including the New York Public Service Commission and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA’s priorities were to find oil substitutes and reduce energy costs to consumers. The Authority’s early efforts focused on reducing the State’s petroleum consumption and promoting the development of the State’s hydropower resources, research environmentally-safe, coal-burning technologies, and promote efficient energy use.[5]
In the early years, NYSERDA projects focused on the rehabilitation of several hydroelectric facilities as well as fostering nationally recognized research on utility coal- burning technology and attendant environmental advances. These early efforts introduced a home-energy audit program and conservation measures that became national models.[6]
1980s
Environmental regulations in the 1980s were established to diminish groundwater pollution and regulate landfill design.[7] Accordingly, NYSERDA began to focus on landfill reclamation, the process of “mining” waste landfills to recycle materials, as one solution to the shrinking availability of landfill space and continued to develop new energy resources and technologies, placing increased emphasis on technologies that facilitated environmental conservation and repair.[8]
1990s
During the recession of the 90s, NYSERDA’s emphasis shifted to developing innovative technologies that saved energy and created economic development opportunities for businesses and industries throughout New York. In the 90s, air and water quality, and solid waste issues were pressing environmental concerns for the State, as were the continued economic challenges. In response to these pressing matters, in 1995, NYSERDA began to focus on innovative opportunities and projects that were linked to energy, environment, and economy.
2000s
NYSERDA organizes the Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Challenge, a program for high school students.[9]
References
- ^ Mission Statement.
- ^ NYSERDA's Vision Statement.
- ^ NYSERDA's Responsibilities.
- ^ Board of Directors. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ About NYSERDA. Retrieved on 11 June 2010.
- ^ About NYSERDA. Retrieved on 11 June 2010.
- ^ EPA. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ Manufacturing Business Development. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ "Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Challenge: Energy Smart Students Program". New York State Energy research and Development Authority. http://www.nyserda.org/Press_Releases/2010/EnergyEducationAwardsbyCounty.pdf. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
See also
External links
Categories:- Economy of New York
- Energy law
- Energy policy in the United States
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