New York is at a crossroads and has opportunities to move forward in the 21st century. We have an aging infrastructure that needs immediate attention. Our energy needs lag behind capacity. Policies need to be updated to reflect current market trends. These issues are not mutually exclusive and need to be looked at holistically. By identifying opportunities, using creative and innovate delivery methods and guaranteeing energy needs while investing in a green economy, New York can reclaim its Empire State status. ASCE's Report Card on Infrastructure has been awarding New York substandard grades for a decade. Our funding levels have fallen far behind inflation. We need to find the resources to invest or we will fall even further behind the rest of the world in our ability to be economically competitive and provide the quality of life our residents require. Our energy needs are outpacing supply and our willingness to try new, yet proven methods, has been lacking. Part of New York's success can be traced back to the Erie Canal, a massive undertaking that required enormous planning and cooperation among many public and private sector groups. The result was the development of New York City as the center of American commerce and upstate New York as the gateway to the interior of the country and all of its resources. Our energy needs are significant and fortunately we have many options and opportunities. Renewable energy; solar, hydro and wind, as well as more traditional sources of energy including nuclear, can all be part of the solution depending upon geographic, economic and practical factors. The procedures for developing, building and bringing new power to consumers needs to be streamlined while maintaining the necessary protection processes. Bringing new energy to New York will create jobs within the energy industry, and potentially spin off tens of thousands more as other businesses expand or start operations as a result. We can also learn lessons from other states and countries that use different project delivery methods, which can expedite projects, cut costs, or reduce or eliminate public investment. Private development, operation and maintenance, in some cases, will allow a project to move ahead without government funding. Design build can result in savings in both time and budget. Public-private partnerships offer the opportunity to use the best resources from as many areas as possible to deliver projects in creative ways that benefit the government, the private sector, and ultimately the public. Jay Simson is president of ACEC New York.