Exploring Energy: Government and Business Partnering to Create Jobs for the 21st Century
On Friday, January 27, New York AREA participated in a winter policy conference hosted by the Democratic Governors Association. The conference covered multiple topics, including public private partnerships, clean energy investment, and infrastructure development throughout New York’s major business hubs.
The majority of speakers focused on the integral role of energy in spurring job growth and economic development. Representatives from the automotive industry, private equity firms, and teachers unions, among others, discussed the need for increased collaboration in developing ways to power New York’s future; all recognized that maintaining access to affordable, reliable energy is essential to keeping the state’s economy growing.
Governor Cuomo discussed New York’s history of embracing and implementing major projects. He highlighted numerous successes, including the development of the Erie Canal and its impact on national trade, the construction of the NYC subway, which enhanced public transportation, and the State University of New York’s regional college system, which served to facilitate social mobility for the middle class. The Governor also detailed his plans to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge, expand New York’s ports, and construct an energy superhighway. He left the audience with a challenge to find innovative ways to finance many of these projects.
New York AREA chairman, Jerry Kremer participated in an energy policy debate on how to power New York’s future with energy industry experts. The debate occurred during a panel discussion titled, “Exploring Energy: Government and Business Partnering to Create 21st Century Jobs,” which was moderated by former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin was also part of the discussion, along with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and West Virginia Governor Ray Tomblin.
Debate participants highlighted a number of important topics including the recent findings from President Obama’s Blue Ribbon Commission, the need for smart grid development, and increased renewable energy investment. The governors also provided general support for nuclear energy development. Governor Quinn indicated that his state has the most nuclear reactors in the country and works closely with the industry to ensure public safety from all possible risk events, while Governor Shumlin called for a distinction between new nuclear and old nuclear facilities. The panel overall agreed that the United States’ energy future cannot be written without clean power from wind, solar, and nuclear.
I too agree. If we are going to build an economy to last, we must have an all-of-the-above strategy to “Win the Future!”
Regards,
Richard Thomas
Director, New York AREA
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