Originally published January 8 2006
New York may implement utility bill surcharge to fund renewable energy projects for the state
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Ryan Scott Karben (D/I-Rockland), Chairman of the Assembly's Subcommittee on Renewable Energy, is now leading an investigation of a possible 2 percent surcharge to be added to New Yorkers' utility bills that will supply funds to renewable energy projects and help the state reduce its dependence on fossil fuel.
Assemblyman Ryan Scott Karben (D/I-Rockland), Chairman of the Assembly's recently created Subcommittee on Renewable Energy, launched the panel's work with an Albany hearing this week investigating a new 2 percent utility bill surcharge created by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to fund the use of renewable energy in New York.
SolarBee "The only way to reduce energy bills over the long haul is to reduce our reliance on traditional forms of energy.
"The only way to reduce energy bills over the long haul is to reduce our reliance on traditional forms of energy," Karben said, "But we need to know that the millions of dollars that will be spent on these to-be-determined projects will actually benefit consumers, particularly when energy costs are rising beyond the ability of our citizens to pay."
The surcharge will fund the implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which was created by a PSC Order in 2004 in part to address increasing concerns over an overdependence on climate threatening fossil fuels.
Pursuant to the order, the RPS will be funded through a surcharge on electric utility customer bills funding programs administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The hearing will examine the implementation process of the RPS; its impact on electric consumer bills; the methodology used to determine costs of the program; the capability of the RPS to reduce fossil fuel costs; the coordination of the RPS with other legislated and administratively-established energy programs; and the success of other state RPS programs resulting in the construction of renewable energy sources and reduced dependency on fossil fuel sources of electricity.
The public hearing took place Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.
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