Assembly Member Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster/Duchess), a playful man in his early 50s, seems to light up when talking about getting more energy from the sun.

Since being named Paul Tonko’s replacement as chair of the Assembly Energy Committee in February, Cahill has secured a $6.5 million dollar grant for the state’s Solar Energy Consortium to attract solar energy producers to the state, and he has supported the construction of Long Island Power Authority’s new 50-megawatt solar power facility. Closer to home, has led an effort to install solar panels throughout his district.

But Cahill is no radical environmentalist. His goal has been to find new technologies that will provide as much energy as possible to this power-hungry state.

“The population of New York is growing,” Cahill said. “And we will not be able to rely on the aging power plants we have now to generate enough electricity for us. Our future is in renewable energy sources.”

For the most part, State Sen. George Maziarz (R-Niagara/Orleans) agrees, describing their shared commitment to creating energy options for all New Yorkers, whether Upstate or Downstate, and on both sides of the political divide.

Also new to the job of energy chair—he was appointed in March, replacing State Sen. James Wright, who left for Mercury Public Affairs—Maziarz has also brought a fresh vision to energy legislation in the state, as well as to cooperation across the aisles and between the chambers.

At this critical moment in energy policy on both the national level and in New York, both energy committee chairs are new to the jobs, and Tonko, whom then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) named head of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), has resigned to run for Congress. Gov. David Paterson (D) has not named a replacement.

But for Cahill and Maziarz, their newness on the job provides a necessary fresh take on energy policy.

From building gigantic wind turbines to converting air into power or his current efforts to promote the use of switchgrass as part of a corn ethanol-based biofuel, they have cast a wide net for new energy solutions.

Their newness has also opened up the potential for cooperation. When Tonko and Wright were chairs, there was deep animosity between the legislators and their staffs, to the point that organizers of some events had to be told to schedule their appearances far enough apart that there would be no chance they would cross paths.

They have an amiable and collaborative relationship, Maziarz explained.

“I have great respect for Kevin,” he said. “His commitment to the people of this state is admirable, and it is my pleasure to work with him as a colleague.”


Both support Article X, the power plant siting law which expired more than five years ago. They agree the fast-track legislation is crucial to making the state attractive to power plant developers looking to build new facilities.

Both supported legislation to reinstate the siting law. But, since its failure, the two have introduced a new siting law that bears both of their names.

“People would dismiss Article X as soon as they heard the name,” Maziarz said. “So, Kevin and I changed it to the ‘Maziarz-Cahill Bill’ with the belief that it would pass on its own merits.”

They did not fight over the order of their names on the new version, Maziarz said.

“It’s an important bill and a good one,” Maziarz said. “No matter what it’s called.”

Their siting bill has yet to be formally introduced. But, Cahill said, while he is optimistic about its chances, he and Maziarz are both mindful that their efforts will need to encompass much more than a new power plant siting law in the struggle to meet New York’s energy needs.

A grant program for developers to build green buildings is one possibility he suggests. Expanding the state’s definition of an alternative energy production facility to include those that use fuel cells or hydroelectric power is another.

“We are not going to use less power as more people come to live in the state,” Cahill said. “We need to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to diverse power options whether they are from natural resources, existing power plants or a combination of the two.”