NY considers alternative fuels laboratory.

[amerikat]

ALBANY -- The Saratoga Technology and Energy Park in Malta could be the future home of a $24 million laboratory to develop alternative fuels for the automobile industry, Gov. George Pataki announced on Tuesday.

The proposed Alternative Fuel Vehicle Research Lab would be developed in collaboration with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The facility would develop and manufacture clean and renewable technologies for transportation, including researching and testing new and improved fuels, batteries and pollution-control devices, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen vehicles and other new technologies.


http://www.poststar.com/story.asp?storyid=207224

[stepnw1f]

1. It's a Start... Once Again... a Blue State

only kidding Red Staters... unless of course you are a degenerate closet Freeper.

[amerikat]

2. NY seems committed to developing Tech Valley.

They continue to offer incentives for companies to relocate to the Hudson Valley Especially around Albany.

edit to add link.

http://www.techvalley.org/

[stepnw1f]

3. That's Really Good to Hear

I'm surprised this thread is so silent. I expected more applause.

[Dead_Parrot]

4. Personally, I'm having a "so what" moment...

Toyota's alt. energy R&D budget is $1.2 billion. $24 mil is a bit feeble to be honest, but good luck to them.

[stepnw1f]

5. When You Put It That Way... Yeah

But seriously, there has got to be a beginning. As far as I know, which isn't much, there is no initiative, especially with mold spore sitting in the White House.

[Township75]

6. $24 million is just for building the site isn't it?

That is how I interpreted the article. I don't think it mentioned anything about a state funded operating budget.

If the center isn't leased to start-up companies, I imagine the site will compete for grant money and that will make up the actual research budget.

[amerikat]

9. That was my understanding as well. I'm local and will report back

when I know more.

[Dead_Parrot]

10. I hope so...

One of those occasions where I'd be happy to be wrong! :)

[amerikat]

8. I'm hoping they will focus on fuels that can be produced locally.

I also see some benefit from having so many alternative energy companies in such close proximity to one another. ie: Plug Power, Daystar,Mechanical Technology and others.

I'm also not convinced that big companies like Toyota will lead any alternative fuel revolution. It's often small startups that make the major breakthroughs. Microsoft missed the internet revolution. Kodak missed the digital photography revolution, etc, etc.

[Township75]

7. Well....

the governor is a repub, though much less out on the right wing of the party.

And before I get attacked as a "degenerate closet Freeper" by anyone, let me state that I could care less which party someone belongs to when they are pushing for stuff we need...like research to reduce our dependence on oil. That issue along with many other environmental issues is too important to only recognize contributions by members of one party.

[stepnw1f]

11. You Won't Get Accused by Me

Besides... you just made too much sense.