Guest Columnist
Let's talk about energy
By George Winner Jr.

Is there any doubt that the future well-being of our nation now depends upon how - and how well - we come to grips with the issues of energy consumption and foreign oil dependency?

America's energy consciousness blossomed, arguably, 35 years ago in 1973. Those of us old enough to remember can recall that year's Arab oil embargo, which produced a span of time when America talked a great deal about, and event acted a little in pursuit of, the need for energy independence. We can recall the days of gas rationing, when we bought gas on even-numbered days if our license plate ended in an even number, and vice-versa for odd numbers. There was a whole lot of talk about conservation, renewable energy, mass transit. The 55-mph National Maximum Speed Law was enacted in 1974, along with the implementation of daylight saving time.

It's interesting history, but the truth is that national concern has, at best, flickered throughout the ensuing years. It has never burned brightly enough or long enough to bring about meaningful change.

But the overriding importance of energy independence appears here to stay. The critical issues linked to energy - national security, global warming, economic strength - demand that we reexamine and restructure our energy policies and lifestyles like never before.

Energy independence is going to demand all of the creativity and perseverance that the nation can muster. It's going to demand the creativity of government at all levels, and it's going to demand the willingness of every American citizen.

It's been noted that our nation must devote the same type of national commitment to energy independence as we devoted to reaching the moon throughout the decade of the 1960s. Securing a sane and stable energy future for America calls for exactly that kind of commitment, nothing less.

The leadership must come from the federal government, but it will only be carried forth through the cooperation of every state and county, town and village, and citizen.

Toward that end, I'd like to bring to your attention a recent report from New York State's "Renewable Energy Task Force." It's a report laying out a 16-point roadmap aimed at moving New York in the direction of significantly increased renewable energy generation. The bottom line goal is to generate 25 percent of New York's electricity from renewable energy by 2013.

It's interesting and worthwhile reading, and I'd recommend it to you. After all, the decisions surrounding the expansion of renewable energy sources inevitably have the most direct impact at the local level. Just consider the current controversies and debates surrounding wind power as proof.

At the same time, it's hard to deny the use of renewable energy sources must be part of the strategy. I've provided a link to the report's summary and the full report on my Web site, www.senatorwinner.com (see Senate Reports section). Some of the task force's significant recommendations include:

• Developing eight times more solar photo voltaic energy generation in New York by 2011;

• Increasing the renewable energy supply in New York State to meet 25 percent of electricity demand by 2013;

• Developing new business incentives to attract renewable energy technology companies to New York in order to build industry clusters in solar, wind, biomass and other technical areas;

• Changing the law to allow and encourage New York companies to produce their own renewable energy "on site" and deliver excess power back to the energy grid; and

• Developing and supporting a "green collar" workforce of skilled labor to support renewable energy technology companies by coordinating training programs and expanding their availability.

According to New York's Renewable Energy Task Force, up to 43,000 new jobs in New York could be created by the renewable energy production needed to meet the requirement that 25 percent of New York's electricity come from renewable sources in five years. Nationally, renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could create up to 40 million jobs and generate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue in the United States by 2030, according to the report.

The Task Force is scheduled to issue a final report by the end of the year. The writer represents the 53rd District in the New York Senate.