February 14, 2013
New York

State wind power subsidy to grow

Brian Nearing | February 14, 2013 | www.timesunion.com

ALBANY – The state is upping the subsidy for single wind power turbines built at places such as schools or wastewater treatment plants, the state Public Service Commission said Wednesday.

Wind projects will qualify for up to $1 million in incentives per turbine from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, up from the current $400,000.

PSC Chairman Garry Brown said the increased subsidy for “on-site” wind power was needed encourage more turbines because of “market conditions.” Wind projects in the state have slowed considerably in recent years due to the declining price of natural gas used to make electricity.

The PSC did not have figures available on how much subsidy has been paid out to date under the program or how many wind turbines resulted from it.

“This program change should allow towns, school districts and businesses to take advantage of appropriately sized clean energy installations that allow them to plan for and control energy costs,” said Valerie Strauss, interim executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, an alternative energy lobbying group.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/14/state-wind-power-subsidy-to-grow/