Governor Eliot Spitzer Thursday announced a comprehensive plan for reducing energy costs and curbing pollution in New York.  This approach sets New York apart with the most aggressive energy efficiency goal in the nation while reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state.

The plan focuses on energy efficiency, conservation, and investment in renewable energy sources as the keys to achieving economic and environmental goals.

“Nowhere is the need for a creative new approach more apparent that in our energy sector,” Governor Spitzer said. “We have some of the highest electricity costs in the nation and our thinking on energy policy is as outmoded as our aging power plants.

Goals and highlights of the Governor’s plan include reducing electricity use by 15 percent from forecasted levels by the year 2015 through new energy efficiency programs in industry and government; creating new appliance efficiency standards and set more rigorous energy building codes; providing $295 million in funding for renewable energy projects throughout the state; and proposing power plant siting legislation that creates an expedited review process for new wind power projects, re-powering projects that reduce emissions, and other power plants that have very low levels of  carbon dioxide emissions.