Expert Blog

Teach-In Thursday on Why NY Needs More Energy Efficiency

With Gov. Cuomo promising to announce a comprehensive energy efficiency strategy for New York by Earth Day, April 22, it’s important for New Yorkers to understand how ambitious energy-saving targets will dramatically clean our air, spur new clean energy jobs, and cut our utility bills. That’s why I plan to speak about the benefits of energy efficiency during a “Facebook Teach-In” Thursday evening, which anyone can join to learn more about the vital importance of a robust efficiency initiative for New York.
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Miles Farmer (Alum)

With Gov. Cuomo promising to announce a comprehensive energy efficiency strategy for New York by Earth Day, April 22, it’s important for New Yorkers to understand how ambitious energy-saving targets will dramatically clean our air, spur new clean energy jobs, and cut our utility bills. That’s why I plan to speak about the benefits of energy efficiency during a “Facebook Teach-In” Thursday evening, which anyone can join to learn more about the vital importance of a robust efficiency initiative for New York.

The online event will provide an overview of the importance of energy efficiency in meeting New York’s climate and clean energy goals, and propelling the state into becoming a national leader on smarter energy use. NRDC’s new fact sheet on the need for more energy efficiency—which helps avoid the need to burn fossil fuels to generate power—shows stronger targets could save New Yorkers an estimated $3 billion on their energy bills by 2030, create thousands of jobs in our state, and improve public health.

On Thursday at 7 p.m. I will join three other supporters of increased energy efficiency targets for New York at this Facebook location for a live discussion of why it’s imperative that Gov. Cuomo, NYSERDA (New York State Energy and Research Development Authority) and the Public Service Commission adopt a comprehensive energy efficiency program that is as ambitious and equitable as possible. A recording of the session will be available on Friday at the Facebook link.

There are plenty of potential pathways to cut energy waste in New York. Examples include advancing technologies like more efficient lighting and clean heating and cooling options such as electric heat pumps; establishing state energy efficiency standards for appliances, equipment, and buildings; and requiring utilities to increase their programs to help save customers optimize their energy use. We hope the governor’s strategy will take advantage of these and other cutting-edge initiatives.

You can pre-register here for the Teach-In hosted by New Yorkers for Clean Power and eight other groups, including NRDC. The one-hour event will include a 15-minute question-and-answer session. The other speakers will be Clarke Gocker, PUSH (People United for Sustainable Housing) Buffalo’s director of policy and strategy; Alliance for a Green Economy Program Director Jessica Azulay and Hal Smith, CEO of Halco Energy.

So jump on Facebook on Thursday evening and join the conversation about why Gov. Cuomo should set the strongest energy efficiency targets possible, which have the potential to benefit New Yorkers in every community and income level across the state.