New York’s Nation-Leading Energy Efficiency Plan Will Cut Energy Bills, Create Thousands of Jobs, Avoid Pollution

ALBANY, NY —Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s long-awaited energy efficiency plan announced today for New York through 2025 will more than triple the amount of energy that utilities will help their customers save and includes additional pioneering elements such as initial funding to train workers for almost 20,000 new jobs in the efficiency sector.

Following is a statement from Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“This is what climate leadership looks like. Governor Cuomo’s plan catapults New York into the forefront of energy efficiency – the cheapest, cleanest and quickest way to avoid the power plant pollution causing climate change and threatening our health. This dramatic increase in energy savings will lower utility bills for all New Yorkers, create thousands of new jobs, and clean our air.

“At a time when national climate leadership is sadly lacking, Gov. Cuomo is an inspiring example of how states can step up and lead in the greatest fight of our lives. We have much more to do, but this landmark decision marks a key turning point. By establishing an ambitious and nation-leading energy-saving target, the governor has shown strong environmental leadership yet again.”

The Cuomo plan is designed to play a central role in New York meeting its ambitious economy-wide climate and clean energy goals. NRDC Climate and Clean Energy Program Eastern Region Directors Donna De Costanzo and Jackson Morris will post a reaction blog here soon.

NRDC was among more than 50 groups urging the governor to announce a strong energy efficiency plan. A variety of background materials can be found at www.nyenergyefficiency.org, including a Fact Sheet on the benefits of establishing a strong energy efficiency program that can be found here.

# # #

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.