In March 2008, Governor David A. Paterson issued Executive Order No. 2 directing the creation of a State Energy Plan stating that:
"...the development, implementation, and periodic review of a sensible comprehensive energy plan will enable the state to determine its future energy needs and facilitate a deliberate, efficient, and cost-effective means of meeting those needs."
In June 2008, New York State began a new statewide energy planning process, and on December, 2009, released the 2009 New York State Energy Plan.