By Ryan Morden
Oswego, NY – Gov. David Paterson is continuing to push his 45-by-15 energy policy.
The governor has challenged the state to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through efficiency improvements and renewable energy by 2015.
Tom Congdon is the governor's Deputy Secretary for Energy.
He said on the Capital Pressroom, if this programs is successful, the state will save 5-times the amount of energy as traditional programs.
"Over ten years of traditional energy efficiency programs we save 5,000 gigawatts of electricity. If we achieve our energy efficiency goals under 45-by-15 we're going to save 27,000 gigawatt hours over the next five years," said Congdon.
He said the administration plans to make this goal by working with energy companies and providing incentives for New Yorkers to make energy efficiency improvements in their homes and workplaces.
One initiative is the appliance rebate program known as the "Great Appliance Swap Out." The program is currently underway and runs until Sunday.