ALBANY - Governor David Paterson Friday launched a new statewide, multi-agency public information education campaign. Called HeatSmartNY, the campaign will provide New Yorkers facing skyrocketing home heating costs with the tools and assistance they need to get through this coming winter. Eight New York State agencies and authorities have collaborated to address this vital issue and bring relief to New York’s most at-risk residents.

At Lifelong Senior Center in Ithaca, Tompkins County, Governor Paterson was joined by Congressman Maurice Hinchey, State Senator George Winner and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton to unveil the new campaign, which will include a website (www.HeatSmartNY.org), a hotline number (877-NY-SMART), public service announcements and a series of 630 statewide workshops. Together, these services will provide consumers with easy, do-it-yourself tips to lower heating bills, as well as information about New York’s heating-related programs.

“While we remain focused on reducing spending to address the economic downturn, we must at the same time be mindful that for many New York families, this is going to be an especially harsh and difficult winter,” said Governor Paterson. “New Yorkers should not be endangered by falling temperatures and rising heating costs. That is why I have directed these agencies to implement collaborative and coordinated outreach and ensure that New Yorkers have as much information as possible about heating-related programs and ways to reduce home heating costs.”