New York City was the birthplace of electricity itself. Where was Thomas Edison’s Edison Electric Illuminating Co. located?

A) Gowanus in Brooklyn
B) Governor's Island
C) On the East River
D) Lower Manhattan

Answer: D - Edison Electric Illuminating Co. powered 800 incandescent light bulbs at his Pearl Street Station in lower Manhattan in 1882.

New York currently leads the world in the generation of hydroelectric power. Where was the first generating station built?

A) Hudson River
B) Mississippi River
C) Niagara River
D) Columbia River

Answer: C - The first hydroelectric generating system was built on the Niagara River in 1881, although the oldest continuously operated commercial hydroelectric plant was built on the Hudson River.

New Yorkers currently pay among the highest electricity rates in the nation. According to a recent survey, where did New York’s residential electricity rates rank?

A) 31% above the national average
B) 41% above the national average
C) 51% above the national average
D) 61% above the national average

Answer: D –According to a recent survey, New York’s residential electricity rates were 61 percent above the national average and second highest among the 13 most comparable states. In the same year, New York’s commercial rates were the highest among the same comparable states, and 65 percent above the national average.

What percentage of the State’s energy demand comes from New York City and Long Island?

A) 99%
B) 10%
C) 47%
D) 33%

Answer: C - New York City and Long Island account for 47 percent of New York State’s total energy demand.

Heating water accounts for what percent of household energy use?

A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 40%
D) 5%

Answer: B – Heating water accounts for approximately 20 percent of household energy use. Solar hot water heaters can reduce costs associated with hot water heating by two-thirds.

What percentage of the State’s electricity does New York currently produce through renewable sources such as hydroelectric, wind or solar power?

A) 10%
B) 22%
C) 33%
D) 5%

Answer: B – About 22 percent of the New York’s electricity generation is from renewable sources, like hydroelectric, solar and wind. 90 percent of that power is drawn from hydroelectric power.

Improving energy efficiency is a “win-win-win” for New York because it:

A) Reduces energy costs,
B) Stimulates job creation and economic development
C) Improves our environment
D) All of the above

Answer: D – Improving energy efficiency is a “win-win-win” energy policy for New York State because it reduces energy costs, stimulates job-creation and economic development and improves our environment.

New York State has a renewable energy goal, whereby the state will reduce its electricity use by increasing the use of renewable energy. What is this called?

A) “45 by 15”
B) “25 by 25”
C) “25 by 15”
D) “30 by 30”
E) “10 by 10”

Answer: A - In January 2009, a new “45 by 15” renewable energy goal was announced, under which the State would need to reduce its electricity end- use by 15 percent from what it would be in the absence of energy efficiency programs and meet 30 percent of its electricity needs from renewable resources by 2015.

How many State agencies and authorities currently play a role in administering New York State’s energy policy?

A) 5
B) 10
C) 15
D) More than 20

Answer: D – More than 20 New York State agencies and authorities currently administer parts of the State’s energy policy. One of the five steps in Andrew Cuomo’s New NY Agenda is to “rightsize government” to streamline efficiency and lower costs.