My Energy Plan

A New Energy Economy for Central and Upstate New York

Central and Western New York are blessed with vast natural and human resources, making this region a capital for the new energy economy. It is based on one simple principle: energy, the environment, and our economy are not mutually exclusive.

It's time to move beyond the partisan rhetoric that has characterized the national debate on energy and seek new solutions. Dependence of foreign oil – and fossil fuels in general – has stifled our economy and has jeopardized the environment. But it also presents us with a unique opportunity here in Upstate New York to revitalize and reinvigorate our economy.

Dan Maffei agrees with Barack Obama: "Energy independence will require far more than the same Washington gimmicks and continued dependence on costly and finite resources. It will require a sustained and shared effort by our government, our businesses, and the American people. But America has overcome great challenges before. With clarity of direction and leadership, there is no question that we possess the insight, resources, courage and the determination to build a new economy that is powered by clean and secure energy."

Now, more than ever, we need to develop bi-partisan solutions to our energy and environmental issues. There is no Republican or Democratic way to fill a gas tank. Global warming is an issue that concerns us all. And Republicans and Democrats alike agree we need stable, good paying jobs in order to sustain our economy. Green collar jobs can be central to our economy if we make the critical investments that will position upstate New York as a hub for alternative energy manufacturing and technology.

Dan Maffei's Three Point Green Energy Plan for Upstate New York

• Creating "green" jobs that can't be outsourced by investing in wind, solar, and biofuel technology

• Ending tax breaks for big oil companies and reinvesting in alternative energy sources and conservation

 

• Encouraging the production of fuel efficient vehicles and mass transit

 

Creating "green" jobs that can't be outsourced by investing in wind, solar, and biofuel technology

In order to truly revitalize our communities, Dan Maffei believes we must think regionally. From Rochester to the West, Syracuse and Albany to the East, and Binghamton to the south, upstate New York can become a "Green Triangle" because together we have vast natural and knowledge resources – a combination few other areas possess in tandem. We have already seen major investments in wind technology in the North Country as well as to our east in Madison County. Now we are poised to grow this sector even further. Iberdrola, the new parent company for Energy East, recently announced they will invest at least $200 million in wind technology in the region.

Last year, the Central New York Metropolitan Development Association (MDA) released a report by the Battelle Corporation identifying key sectors where the region can grow green industries. They include indoor environmental quality, renewable energy, green buildings/sustainable design, and water quality and water resources. It's time to put this plan into action with a concerted effort on all levels of government.

American companies and workers should build the high demand technologies of the future, and Upstate New York is poised to become a leader in this field. Let's help nurture America's success in clean technology manufacturing by establishing a federal investment program to help manufacturing centers modernize and help Americans learn new skills to produce green products. Our area has some of the best universities and colleges in the world. We can leverage that academic and research potential to capitalize on these knowledge resources. An exciting new development in downtown Syracuse, for example, has the potential to be a transformational force. The New York State Biotechnology Research Center is a public/private alliance created to stimulate economic activity and create jobs using biotechnology as the driving force. This first-of-its-kind center will create and support biotechnology educational and research programs with area educational institutions such as SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Working with existing companies and our universities we could spur small business growth. Empire AgriFuel, for example, a company affiliated with Morrisville State College, plans to build a $21 million plant in Cortland County to make biodiesel fuel. Warner Energy in Clay is a promising small start up alternative energy company which is an outgrowth of O'Brien & Gere. These are examples of the kinds of companies The Maffei plan will encourage to develop our new energy economy here in Upstate New York.

Ending tax breaks for big oil companies and reinvesting in alternative energy sources and conservation

It is time to put an end to big oil's stranglehold on the nation's energy policy by investing more to develop alternative and renewable fuels, which would provide consumers permanent relief at the pump and help drive the local economy.

Today's soaring gas prices are the result of a failed energy policy – Democrats and Republicans alike must take responsibility for the current failures and move beyond them in order to create a better future for our children and grandchildren. To that end, we must break our addiction to oil and become energy independent, and that means making the decisions now to position ourselves to take advantage of the coming global changes.

Dan Maffei's plan takes away the power from huge multi-national oil corporations like ExxonMobil and puts it back into the hands of consumers. To do this, we must create a national roadmap to make us energy independent by 2020. Announcing that independence is the bold statement that we need to show we are serious about breaking our addiction to foreign oil. If we begin to make substantial investments in wind, solar, biofuels and hydropower, in addition to using our oil resources that are already available, world oil markets will have no choice but to adjust.

To provide immediate relief, Dan Maffei supports the Obama-Biden initiative to direct oil companies to forgo a reasonable share of their record breaking windfall profits and use it to provide direct relief worth $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a married couple. The relief would be delivered as quickly as possible to help families cope with the rising price of gasoline, food and other necessities. The rebates would be fully paid for with five years of a windfall profits tax on record oil company profits.

Dan Maffei believes it is unconscionable that current policy provides tax incentives for oil drillers while simultaneously ending tax incentives for hybrid cars and other clean vehicle technologies because of arbitrary caps. He will work to secure tax credits and incentives for hybrid vehicles and other energy conservation initiatives. Additionally, there should be some tax incentives for consumers that are willing to convert their hybrids into plug-in hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrid technology extends the benefits of hybrid vehicles, in addition to promoting more hybrid battery research.

Let's think large scale by encouraging tax incentives for businesses who want to "go green". Here in Upstate New York there are many small and start-up companies who are poised to become leaders in industries such as wind turbine manufacturing, biofuels, and other technologies.

Increasing fuel efficiency and encouraging mass transit

More than 96 percent of the nation's vehicles are now powered by fossil fuels - a harsh reality when staring and gasoline prices in excess of $4 a gallon. Meanwhile, over the past 35 years, while we have paid lip service to the energy crisis, increasing the amount of oil we import from 24 percent of our total to 70 percent today.

With gas prices becoming unbearable for so many Americans, plans like those from Barack Obama and T. Boone Pickens that would've been unimaginable just a few years ago are increasingly viewed as critical for our energy future. Having diverse, domestically produced options will increase our security. Demanding increased efficiency standards and developing new methods for powering cars will, in the long run, ease the financial burden driving has become.

We need to mandate fuel economy standards that increase every year by a predictable amount so our car manufacturers can invest accordingly. Locally, the workers at New Process Gear, who make parts for SUVs, have been acutely affected by the soaring gas prices and declining SUV sales. They want the opportunity to make parts for more fuel efficient cars, but they need an investment and dedication to changing our auto industry.

It is critically important to start thinking differently when it comes to transportation. Mass transit will be critical to our future, that's why Dan Maffei supports constructing a high speed rail through Central New York, connecting us with great cities that surround our region, but are now just out of easy reach. This can be the Erie Canal of the 21st century as we move toward a more regionalized vision for Upstate New York.

Finally, we should work to encourage new start-up companies that promote alternative methods of transportation and develop models that fit our unique circumstances. For example, Synapse Partners – a company based in Syracuse – is poised to launch "CuseCar", a car-sharing service with plans to put at least ten cars on city streets for people to rent by the hour. This nonprofit corporation was formed to give people the convenience of using a vehicle occasionally without the cost of owning it. These kinds of car-sharing services have proven successful in other communities and with help and encouragement could prove to be a positive addition to our region.