A new leader has been appointed to coordinate the state’s energy policy and energy finance. Gov. Cuomo announced that Richard L. Kauffman will be the Chair of the newly formed Energy Policy and Finance Sub-Cabinet.
Kauffman comes to New York following a long career in energy policy in both the public and private sectors. Considered one of the nation’s leading experts in private sector clean energy, Kauffman serves as a senior advisor to the United States Secretary of Energy. Kauffman was also the CEO of Good Energies, Inc., one of the nation’s leading investors in renewable energy.
“Richard Kauffman's extensive private and public sector experience in energy and finance matters will improve coordination of the state's energy policy and further the establishment of New York as the national leader in the clean energy economy,” Cuomo announced during his State of the State address on Wednesday.
Cuomo also announced the creation of the state’s first “green bank” which will offer loans and grants through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to advance the state’s green energy programs, as well as coordinate the state’s green energy spending. The green bank is also hoped to bring private capital to clean energy projects by eliminating financial market barriers that currently impede such funding.
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