NY Announces Finalists In Southern Tier Clean Energy Contest

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Eight finalists have been announced in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's competition to spur clean energy technology in New York's Southern Tier.

The contest, dubbed 76West, will award $2.5 million to six winning companies who propose the best ideas for technology that advances clean energy or sustainability. Winning companies must agree to move to the Southern Tier or create a significant business relationship with the region.

The Democratic governor announced the finalists on Thursday. They include companies that create and manufacture solar power technologies, a high-tech battery developer and a business that makes plastic out of biological materials.

The winners will be announced later this summer.