CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

ALBANY -- In a big win for renewable energy developers in the state, the Public Service Commission has expanded the so-called Renewable Portfolio Standard that provides subsidies to clean energy projects.

The PSC issued an order Friday allowing an additional $200 million to be spent for large-scale projects. That's on top of $95 million in subsidies that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said it recently awarded to five projects, including two in the Capital Region.

"It's a major jump," said NYSERDA spokesman Jeffrey Gordon. "It's a healthy increase."

The increase is needed because the state has also expanded its renewable energy goals. Former Gov. George Pataki first set the goal for the state to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources such as wind and hydro by 2013.

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