ALBANY -- In what appears to be a subtle shift in energy policy, Gov. Eliot Spitzer's top energy official said Wednesday that "all new clean power-generation sources" could be included in a new power-plant siting law.

Paul DeCotis, deputy secretary for energy, made the comment during the annual legislative breakfast of the Energy Association of New York State, a trade group that represents utilities, including National Grid.

A new siting law would help pave the way for electric power plants to be built in the state by streamlining the regulatory and permit-granting process.

Although the state's electricity needs are currently being met, projections show more generation may be needed by 2012 to meet growing demand, especially in metropolitan New York City.

A previous law, known as Article 10, expired in 2003. But the Legislature has not been able to agree on how to write the law.

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