The environmental devastation wrought by the Gulf Coast oil spill, one of the worst man-made disasters in history, is a stark reminder why we must lessen our reliance on fossil fuels. This fact has been repeatedly hammered home each time the oil giant BP failed to stanch the flow of oil from the wrecked undersea well.

BP’s inability to stop the flow was attributed in part to the engineering challenges of capping a well nearly a mile under the water surface and accessible only by remote-controlled robots. Considering the years it will take to clean up the spill, this tragedy strongly
illustrates the fact that what we sometimes seek can easily exceed our grasp.

However, more important than helping identify our limits, the disaster serves as a reminder that we should be doing something more permanent than simply scrambling day-to-day to find new energy supplies. Instead of risking potential irreparable harm to our environment, we must take a brand-new approach and to find ways to quench our thirst for fossil fuels.

The easiest, quickest and least expensive way to lower our demand for energy is to become more energy-efficient in our homes, offices, stores and factories. If we fully embrace energy efficiency, we can make New York more competitive while bolstering our long-term economic stability.

Thankfully, we’ve already taken the efficiency plunge. In mid-2008, the state Public Service Commission launched a comprehensive initiative to dramatically expand statewide energy-efficiency programs. Our goal is to reduce electric usage 15 percent of projected levels by 2015 and to achieve similar reductions in natural-gas usage.

Since that decision, energy-reduction efforts have taken root. Electric energy- efficiency measures installed to date will reduce average annual electricity consumption enough to power 24,400 typical homes. In addition, gas energy- efficiency measures installed to date will reduce average annual natural-gas usage enough to power 5,850 typical homes.

To put these energy savings into perspective, you’d have to burn about 7.6 million barrels of oil to deliver to consumers the amount of energy now being saved annually. By comparison, BP’s oil spill has poured in excess of 1 million barrels of oil into the gulf.

But the goal of New York’s initiative is not only about saving energy. We are strengthening the economy, as well. Thousands of jobs are being created or sustained to support the increased investments to retrofit outdated, inefficient residential, commercial and industrial properties and install new energy-efficient equipment. The initiative is at the core of Gov. Paterson’s clean-energy agenda and New Economy plan to create and sustain jobs in New York.

Yet, while we are making headway, more action is needed. The initiative’s success hinges on increasing consumer public awareness, understanding and willingness to participate. To encourage participation, a new statewide outreach and education program will soon be rolled out. It’ll motivate residential and business consumers to participate in energy-efficiency programs and maximize the efficient use of energy.

In recognition of efficiency’s critical importance, the commission opted to move ahead with plans to provide more than $1 billion in ratepayer funding through 2011 to reach the target. However, the commission remains painfully aware this comes at a time when ratepayers are struggling financially.

Given the current economic reality, we are paying added attention to the costs to achieve this ambitious goal. As steward of ratepayers’ money, the commission seeks to ensure ratepayers receive a return on their investments while lessening the need for ever-scarcer, tougher-to-acquire fossil fuels.


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Garry Brown is chair of the New York State Public Service Commission.