ALBANY---A comprehensive plan for reducing energy costs and curbing pollution in New York has been announced by the Governor's office.

The plan focuses on energy efficiency, conservation, and investment in renewable energy sources as the keys to achieving economic and environmental goals.

"No where is the need for a creative new approach more apparent than in our energy sector," Gov. Eliot Spitzer said. "We have some of the highest electricity costs in the nation and our thinking on energy policy is as outmoded as our aging power plants. "But we can make real progress toward economic and environmental goals with a comprehensive program that focuses on energy efficiency and conservation, and investment in new technology."

Goals and highlights of the new plan include the following:

--Reduce electricity use by 15 percent from forecasted levels by the year 2015 through new energy efficiency programs in industry and government;

--Create new appliance efficiency standards and set more rigorous energy building codes;

--Invest $295 million for renewable energy projects throughout the state; and

--Propose power plant siting legislation that creates an expedited review process for new wind power projects, re-powering projects that reduce emissions, and other power plants that have very low levels of carbon dioxide emissions.