May 24 2009
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York will commit $10.5 million in state grants to secure a federal investment of nearly $100 million to finance five energy research centers across the State. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has named five New York institutions Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC), and each has been awarded DOE grants between $2 and $5 million per year for a planned initial five year period. New York’s five centers were the second most awarded to any state, in large part due to Governor Paterson’s commitment of a 10 percent state match in funding and work to position New York as a national leader in clean energy technology research and development.
The EFRCs will bring together groups of leading scientists to address fundamental issues in fields ranging from solar energy and energy storage to materials sciences and superconductors. New York facilities were among 46 chosen nationwide, and include SUNY Stony Brook, Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, Columbia University, Cornell University, and General Electric Global Research in Schenectady.
“We are seizing the opportunity to make New York the global capital of the new energy economy. The five laboratories being designated as Energy Frontier Research Centers clearly show that New York has been recognized as a national leader in alternative energy research,” said Governor Paterson. “We are laying the groundwork for the new economy based on research and technology, which will bring private industry into the State and create thousands of jobs.”
To secure the EFRC federal grants, Governor Paterson and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided letters of support and a promise to provide matching state grants to the projects at a ratio of one state dollar for every 10 federal dollars. Additionally, NYSERDA will provide a $250,000 grant to each academic center. This state-level commitment of matching funds provided a significant boost to the competitiveness of the proposals submitted by institutions in New York.
The awards are as follows (with the total five-year commitment):
Columbia University: $16 million; $1.6 million state match; $250,000 NYSERDA grant
Cornell University: $25 million; $2.5 million state match ; $250,000 NYSERDA grant
General Electric Global Research: $15 million; $1.5 million state match
State University of New York, Stony Brook: $17 million; $1.7 million state match; $250,000 NYSERDA grant
Brookhaven National Laboratory: $25 million requested; $2.5 million state match; $250,00 NYSERDA grant
Significantly, three of the five awards in New York State are for energy storage technology research, complementing the Governor’s Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (known as NY BEST). There were only six centers nationally that will focus on energy storage, and New York State is home to half of them.
Governor Paterson recently announced the creation of NY BEST to implement the “battery consortium” called for in his State of the State address. The State has committed $25 million to this effort, which will support research to advance the commercialization of battery and energy storage technologies within the State. This month, Governor Paterson stood with General Electric (GE) Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt to announce GE’s plan to establish a new sodium battery manufacturing facility in New York that will create 350 new jobs. These two announcements, along with the State’s ability to attract Federal funding for three EFRCs demonstrates New York is already recognized as a leader in battery and energy storage technology that will support the transition to a clean energy economy.
The state matching grants for the EFRCs come from NYSTAR, through an appropriation of $5 million every year to leverage larger federal grants. NYSTAR’s obligation to these projects is approximately $1.96 million this year. NYSERDA’s grants are in addition to the NYSTAR funding, and amount to $250,000 per project for four of the five projects, totaling $1 million.
Congressman Timothy Bishop said: “These funds will make our communities more energy efficient, create jobs, and reduce energy costs in the future. We are delivering on our promise to invest in green jobs and clean energy technologies that will help turn our economy around while making America energy independent.”
Congressman Maurice Hinchey said: “This new energy research center that's being funded with federal money at Cornell University will provide extraordinary opportunities for academic research and economic growth. I commend Governor Paterson for providing the state resources needed to establish this energy research center and for his commitment to making New York a leader in advanced battery technology. This energy research partnership will leverage the academic resources at Cornell University and combine them with industry partners throughout the region and state, including those in the solar sector. This will enable New York to promote advanced battery research and develop the commercial outlets needed to create jobs and grow the economy.”
Congressman Charles B. Rangel said: “Creating a cleaner, more energy efficient America is not going to happen overnight. We have to invest in the technologies that will help us reduce our dependency on foreign oil and make environmental necessities affordable to the average consumer. These centers, and the commitment of the State and federal government to fund them, will go a long way in ensuring that promise of this green revolution is seized by all.”
Congressman Paul D. Tonko said: “I applaud Governor Paterson for recognizing the importance of research to our energy future in allocating state funds to maximize the outcome of this important federal program. When you add GE Global Research’s designation as an Energy Frontier Research Center to last week’s announcement by GE of a new advanced battery manufacturing plant in the Capital Region, it’s clear that Tech Valley is quickly gaining the reputation as a leading alternative energy corridor.”
Senator Darrel J. Aubertine, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications and the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, said: “This state and federal partnership will advance important new technologies to help support our economy’s energy needs and create jobs throughout the State. With the advance of alternative energy research and development, New York’s agriculture, open space and rural resources will continue to play an increasingly large role in our energy future. This investment shows our State’s commitment to being a leader in clean energy technologies and rebuilding our economy.”