New York State is investing another $95 million in renewable energy.

The Public Service Commission has given an auction the go-ahead to distribute the money to new wind, solar, biomass or other renewable energy plants.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA, is running the auction. It takes bids for contracts from renewable energy power plant developers. The winners get 10-year contracts.

It will be the fourth auction of its kind. In previous auctions, NYSERDA has given out more than $500 million.

The money comes from a surcharge on customers' utility bills.

A state mandate requires that New York get 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2013.