NORWICH – Governor David A. Paterson has announced that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the Public Service Commission (PSC), are partnering to provide nearly $300 million for renewable energy projects under the Renewable Portfolio Standard Program (RPS), helping to accelerate the development of New York’s clean energy economy.

According to a Paterson press release, New York is continuing to invest in clean energy, hoping to achieve the governor’s goal of meeting 45 percent of the state’s energy needs through energy efficiency and renewable energy by 2015.

“Investments in clean, renewable energy will form the foundation for New York’s clean energy economy by creating jobs and helping control energy costs for New Yorkers,” said Governor Paterson. “As I laid out in my State of the State address, we will transform New York’s economy by investing in the technology of the twenty-first century, improving our economy and our environment through strategic investments in clean energy industries which will sustain New York state in the future.”

Nearly a third of the funds will support wind power initiatives at the Hardscrabble wind project in Herkimer County and the Beekmantown wind project in Clinton County. Funds have also been allocated for hydroelectric upgrades to the School Street and Stewarts Bridge power projects in Albany and Saratoga Counties, and new initiatives at the Onondaga Renewables biomass plant, also in Onondaga County.