Governor Cuomo’s Energy Czar Steps into Downsized Role

January 29th, 2019

Richard Kauffman, Governor Cuomo’s energy czar, is stepping down as chairman of energy and finance, a role he has held since 2013. In that role, Kauffman was charged with coordinating all energy policy initiatives among the various agencies in order to provide a cohesive strategy. Kauffman will remain as chairman of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). It is unlikely that the position will be filled as it was created in the wake of Hurricane Sandy with the former Goldman Sachs executive in mind. “I think it’s fair to say I am changing my role rather than departing,” he said in an exclusive interview with POLITICO Wednesday. “I think I’ve been working for Governor Cuomo’s administration for six years. I worked at the Obama administration for a couple years before that. So eight years of full-time government service is a full dose of public service.”