Gov. Eliot Spitzer today unveiled a new energy strategy that relies on reducing energy use 15 percent by 2015, investing $300 million in renewable and "clean" power projects and increasing supply by passing a new law to expedite power-plant siting. "The result will be lower energy bills, a cleaner environment that addresses climate change and thousands of new jobs fueled by a new industry born from clean power," Spitzer said in a speech to a business group in Manhattan.

And, he offered a glimpse of the future by linking the profusion of energy- generating windmills in Denmark to the potential expansion here - beyond a beginning crop of windmills being set up at the old Bethlehem Steel plant. "I think you're going to see wind energy as a huge market," he said.

Little Falls, NY March 8th, 2007 -- Want electricity? Don’t count on wind farms to deliver. A recent analysis of transaction data filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the period July – September, 2006, shows that the large Maple Ridge wind facility in Lewis County produces electricity in a very erratic manner, and generally at levels far below promised output.

This is a story about two men who forged a friendship at a nuclear power plant protest and then went on to collaborate on several sustainable energy projects, including three of the best known modern hydro projects in Vermont, over a 30-year period. Recently, the two separately embarked on wind projects in New York and Vermont. The fate of these projects couldn’t be more different: The New York wind turbines will be built this summer, while the East Haven Wind Farm in the Northeast Kingdom is effectively dead.

HORNELL - The idea of wind farm development locally isn't a popular one. At least at the corner of Main and Hakes. Steuben Greens hosted a panel discussion on wind issues Thursday night, with a number of the speakers saying wind power wasn't worth it.

A day before his first State of the State Address, Gov. Eliot Spitzer Tuesday released plans for a series of steps he said are needed to turn around the upstate economy..... Expansion of the capacity to generate electricity throughout the state, improving low-cost-power programs and making a “concerted effort’’ to increase the number of wind turbines.

New York fell short of an early target in its multiyear effort to boost the use of wind power and other clean energy sources. The Pataki administration adopted a policy in 2004 to increase New York’s reliance on renewable energy to 25 percent by 2013. At that time, regulators set up yearly targets to increase renewable energy use in steady increments. The target for 2006 was to purchase 1.1 million megawatt hours of renewable energy. The state has fallen short of that goal by about a third, according to figures from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Wind development may be hovering around Hornellsville, but it will have to wait a bit longer before landing. The Hornellsville town board extended its moratorium for six more months at its meeting Tuesday night, citing a need for further study of the issue. Supervisor Ken Isaman said the town is still working on its wind law, and also is interested to find out about a new state law that could be in effect for green power. “It may actually give more income to municipalities,” he said. “The law that was passed talks about the rest of green power, but not about windmills.” Isaman said the law appears to be a modified type of economic development zone, and it is something he believes the state Legislature will be working on during the early part of 2007.

Yet, despite the operation of New Jersey’s small wind project since January, there is uncertainty about whether wind farms, particularly gigantic turbines positioned off the region’s coastline, will be embraced here. On Long Island, a 40-turbine project being considered off the South Shore is facing stiff resistance from opponents who argue that the turbines will damage pristine ocean views, fail to deliver cost-effective electricity and create environmental problems. In New Jersey, powerful local politicians have lined up behind wind power, where up to 80 turbines — rising 380 feet or more above the water along the South Jersey coastline — have been proposed to take advantage of the near-constant breezes.

When the wind blows, the turbines will rock – when it doesn’t, there’s trouble. At least, for those who would put a wind farm off Long Island’s South Shore. During the hottest days of this year, as energy consumption records fell across the Island, there was nary a breeze – and not nearly enough wind to power the turbines of the Long Island Power Authority’s proposed Offshore Wind Park to their 140-megawatt capacity, according to Suffolk County Leg. Wayne Horsley, D-Babylon.

But research by the Times Union found that while switching to an ESCO might be relatively easy -- the process begins with a simple phone call -- getting clear and definitive pricing information from the ESCOs is extremely difficult.

Wind farms have opened and more are proposed, but they can't generate power in nearly the volume needed.

ARKPORT | Public authorities rather than private developers should spearhead efforts to build wind farms in New York state, said Rochester businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Thomas Golisano.

ALBANY — To some Upstate residents, massive windmills are “a blight on the landscape.” To environmentalists and energy companies, they are a low-cost energy source that can reduce society's dependence on oil and gas. The two sides squared off Tuesday at an Assembly hearing over the direction of the state's renewable energy programs. One thing both sides could agree on: this is a fight that is rippling across New York.

NEW YORK – Seven northeastern U.S. states have signed the country's first plan to create a market for heat-trapping carbon dioxide by curbing emissions at power plants, New York Gov. George Pataki said Tuesday.

ALBANY -- Executives from two state agencies testified Wednesday before an Assembly committee in support of a $741 million renewable energy program being paid for by the state's electric customers.

ALBANY — State lawmakers want more details about a new surcharge on 6 million utility bills across the state that will raise nearly $750 million in 10 years for renewable-energy projects such as wind farms.

CLARKSTOWN — Wind power will now help to keep streetlights and municipal buildings lit.

The alternative energy source would cost the town about $12,000 more a year, a minimal impact because of rising gas prices, said Amy Mele, deputy town attorney for purchasing.

"It's not about savings, but more a policy statement," Mele said. "We're trying to make it a more competitive form of energy."