By Associated Press
Buffalo, NY – New York State plans to dramatically boost its reliance on renewable energy sources like wind and water over the next nine years.
Under a policy approved Wednesday by the state Public Service Commission, New York will join other states that have been leading the nation in the development of renewable energy.
Governor Pataki said he wanted to increase New York's reliance on renewable energy to 25 percent by 2013. The PSC opted to require utilities to purchase 24 percent of their energy from renewable resources while relying on the retail marketing of "green energy" to provide at least another one percent.
Pataki says that plan will help New York reduce its dependence on foreign oil, create new jobs and clean up the environment.