Inside Politics: Cuomo says New York agencies must save more energy

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he has issued an executive order directing state agencies to increase energy efficiency in state buildings by 20 percent in seven years.

The administration says it has an implementation plan that will set priorities based on energy savings per dollar spent. The most inefficient buildings are expected to be addressed first.

The New York Power Authority has committed to provide $450 million in low-cost financing.

According to the governor’s office, most projects will require no capital spending upfront, with agencies expected to repay loans through energy savings.

The order also applies to public authorities and commissions where Mr. Cuomo appoints the leadership.

The April 1, 2020, energy goal is 20 percent below average energy use of those buildings in fiscal 2010-2011.

NORTH CAROLINA

Governor issues pardons for Wilmington 10

RALEIGH — Outgoing North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue issued pardons Monday to the Wilmington 10, a group wrongly convicted 40 years ago in a notorious civil rights-era prosecution that led to accusations that the state was holding political prisoners.

Ms. Perdue issued pardons of innocence Monday for the nine black men and one white woman who received prison sentences totaling nearly 300 years for the 1971 firebombing of a Wilmington grocery store during three days of violence that included the shooting of a black teenager by police.

The pardon means the state no longer thinks the 10 — four of whom have since died — committed a crime.

“I have decided to grant these pardons because the more facts I have learned about the Wilmington 10, the more appalled I have become about the manner in which their convictions were obtained,” Ms. Perdue said Monday.

MASSACHUSETTS

Patrick looks ahead to final years in office

BOSTON — Deval Patrick is facing challenges and opportunities as he launches the last two years of what he says will be his final term as governor.

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