To facilitate this coordination, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ( NYSERDA ) released a request for proposals to establish the policy institute.

“New York already has some of the brightest minds in the world and extensive academic expertise in the clean energy economy. For the first time, they will work together to provide analysis and strategies to inform State policy makers, and the beneficiaries will be the everyday New Yorkers who will get cheaper and cleaner energy,” said Governor Paterson.

Funding of up to $200,000 per year for up to three years has been allocated for this effort. Initially, NYEPI will concentrate on strategies that will introduce more energy efficiency and further reduce energy-derived pollution, while also providing for economic development and increased employment. Electric power generation, transmission and use and heating fuel use are expected to be core issues, then, further effort will work toward new and efficient transportation use within the State.

Francis J. Murray, Jr. NYSERDA president and CEO, said: “This effort will concentrate on three fields: policy, technology and education/training. Governor Paterson’s aim is to structure the NYEPI so that it provides easy, collegial exchange and access to all parties. NYSERDA’s background and established process for seeking research and development proposals will be able to fast-track the NYEPI groundwork. We would hope to see an organizational project contracted by the end of the year.”

Following the Governor’s State of the State address, NYSERDA took the first step in establishing the NYEPI by commissioning a preliminary study to catalog the State’s academic resources. It found 18 top research centers with more than 170 faculty members whose knowledge of the State’s resources and needs, along with research expertise, could provide a strategic framework for future Empire State policy on energy recovery, generation, regulation and use.

The preliminary report also recommended that NYEPI be based in an academic institution, include both private and public academic institutions, allow for addressing multiple issues as they emerge, strive for funding and support from multiple institutions, and maintain objectivity in its activities.

The list of 18 institutions include:

* Clarkson University Center for Sustainable Energy Systems

* Columbia University Center for Energy Marine Transportation and Public Policy

* The Cornell Fuel Cell Institute ( CFCI )

* CUNY Bronx Community College Center for Sustainable Energy

* Hudson Valley Community College Center for Energy Efficiency and Building Science

* New York Institute of Technology Center for Energy, Environment, and Economics

* New York University Rudin Center for Transportation & Policy Management

* Pace Law School Pace Energy and Climate Center

* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Center for Future Energy Systems

* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Lighting Research Center

* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Center for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research

* Rochester Institute of Technology Center for Environmental Computing and Decision-Making

* Rochester Institute of Technology Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Center for Sustainable Energy Systems

* Syracuse University Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems

* SUNY University at Albany Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC)

* SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Center for Sustainable and Renewable Energy

* SUNY Farmingdale State College Solar Energy Center

* SUNY Stony Brook Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC)

Additional information on the NYSERDA Request for Proposals is available at the link below.

Website: www.nyserda.org/funding/1310rfp.asp

Reprinted with permission from SustainableBusiness.com