The New York Energy Highway Task Force has issued a request for information (RFI) seeking ideas for potential projects from private developers, investor-owned utilities, the financial community and others, with the goal of bolstering New York state's aging energy infrastructure while promoting clean energy supplies, jobs and economic growth.
The RFI seeks detailed information on various aspects of potential electric generation and transmission projects, including such areas as financing, construction, operation, and economic and environmental benefits. Respondents are also invited to identify potential challenges to project development that could be addressed with state assistance.
In January, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, D-N.Y., announced a plan to build an "energy highway" system to ensure a cost efficient and reliable supply of power is available to fuel the state's economic growth.
The private sector will fund a $2 billion energy highway system that will tap into the generation capacity and renewable energy potential in upstate and western New York to bring power to meet the demands in load centers to the southern part of the state. The plan also calls for the repowering of older, traditionally powered plants to stop pollution in urban neighborhoods.
Responses to the RFI are due on May 30. A conference for respondents and other interested parties will be held on April 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown. Advance registration is required.
Written questions will be accepted and answered at nyenergyhighway.com through May 11, with the names of the questioners deleted. The task force is expected to issue an Energy Highway action plan this summer, following its review of the RFI responses.
