Press Release

Arcuri Moves to Make Upstate an Alternative Energy Center

February 20, 2007

Lansing, NY - On Saturday, February 17, U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) gathered business leaders, scientific experts, and citizens together and began a process to make Upstate New York a major alternative energy center.

“Last month, I voted with a bipartisan majority to repeal tax break for big oil companies making record profits and invest that money in alternative energy,” Arcuri said. “The giveaways this legislation will reclaim from the oil and gas industry will be placed into a ‘Renewable Energy Account’ to fund conservation research and development of alternative fuels. I held this roundtable with area experts and community members to collect local ideas on alternative and renewable energy programs that would benefit Upstate New York both economically and environmentally.”

“Access to biofuel sources, our local scientific and technological community, and proximity to major metropolitan centers make Upstate perfectly poised to become a leader in alternative energy,” Arcuri said.

Since taking office Arcuri has cosponsored two pieces of legislation specifically designed to increase the research, production, and implementation of alternative energy sources.

In January, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6), which would repeal $14 billion in subsidies given to big oil and gas companies over 10 years and invest those funds in clean, renewable energy research and development. 

“The CLEAN Energy Act addresses one of the most fundamental and pressing concerns facing our country: the importance of our country’s energy independence. But we have to face facts, and the fact of the matter is: oil is a finite resource. I am proud to represent an area of the country that is truly ahead of the curve in private development and use of alternative energies like wind and solar power.  We need to encourage this research all across the country.”  Arcuri said on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during debate on H.R. 6.

In February, the U.S House of Representatives passed the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act (H.R. 547) to make alternative fuels like cellulosic ethanol more affordable and accessible.

Each invited attendee was given 5-10 minutes to make a presentation, and the general public had opportunities to ask questions relating to topics discussed.

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