A short-term approval of approximately $21M until June 2010 has been approved by the Public Service Commission in New York. The State incentive money ran out towards the end of June and the commissioners need more time to determine how to create long-term incentives so this $20.9 Million is basically a short-term fix while a long-term strategy can be developed.

New York has a program called the "Renewable Portfolio Standard" which subsidizes renewal energy production in the state and which is funded through a fee on utility bills charged to consumers. Installers are paid directly when they work on solar energy installations such wind turbines, fuel cells and anaerobic digesters for residential and commercial customers.

The Public Service Commission's continued commitment to Solar and other renewal energy is commendable. I hope they will use their five months wisely to come up with a long-term incentive program which will really encourage consumers and businesses to take advantage of the incentives to help save the environment.