New York electric costs increase at nearly double the national average
The cost of electricity in the state grew by about 12 percent from March 2006 to March 2007, the council's Public Policy Institute reported. New York manufacturers paid the 12th highest rates in the country and New York residential rates are now 62 percent above the national average, according to the report.
"It's because of coal," said council spokesman Matthew Maguire. "New York state compared to the nation relies very heavily on natural gas for generation and relatively little on coal. In recent years the price of coal has been relatively stable and the price of natural gas has been going up."
The report comes as Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the Legislature seek to reduce energy costs for businesses and to create a fast-track approval system for new power plants to increase supply. A major sticking point, however, remains coal. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno is pushing for the use of what he calls "clean coal," a reference to new technology that results in less polluting emissions than traditional coal-burning power plants.
But Spitzer isn't sold on the newer technology, especially as he works to cut the emissions that contribute to global warming. He is pushing technology cleaner than even new coal processes.
Related News

China's Path to Carbon Neutrality
CHINA - China's ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality has become a focal point in global climate discussions, with experts emphasizing the pivotal role of a unified power market in realizing this objective. This article explores China's commitment to carbon neutrality, the challenges it faces, and how a unified power market could facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
China's Commitment to Carbon Neutrality
China, as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. This ambitious goal signals a significant shift towards reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change impacts. Achieving carbon neutrality…