NEW YORK -- A key environmental group today pledged to get behind the brunt of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plans for dealing with climate change and energy policy this year.

In a policy statement for the new legislative session starting today in Albany, the New York League of Conservation Voters threw its muscle behind many of the policies proposed last week by the Democratic governor during his annual State of the State address.

The group promised to press for Cuomo's $1 billion "green bank" venture capital fund as well as plans to extend the state's solar jobs program. LCV also expressed support for Cuomo's wide-ranging blueprint for reconstructing the state in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and preparing for the next so-called extreme weather event.

Still, like Cuomo's address, much of the policy statement lacked specifics until topics like sealing off subway entrances are better understood. LCV called on state agencies to better coordinate studies to quickly come up with engineering solutions.

Cuomo during his speech said he is looking at a variety of options, among them inflatable bladders to close subways and transit tunnels. He said flood-proof subways and bus depots would become a priority, with "vertical roll-down doors, vent closures, inflatable bladders and upsized fixed pumps (with backup power sources) ... all options to harden New York's subway system."

Although New York officials have weighed flood protection measures for years, their plans weren't implemented, and Superstorm Sandy flooded and blacked out parts of the city's subway and rail commuter systems in late October.

The governor added that redundancies must be built into the region's fuel delivery network to avoid the long lines for gasoline and supply bottlenecks that hit the region after the storm. Cuomo said gas stations should have on-site backup power to protect New Yorkers from fuel disruptions.

LCV said it would back a two-tiered approach to coping with Sandy's aftermath and adapting for future storms. On one end, the group wants to beef up "ecosystem-based solutions" like wetlands and barrier islands to slow down storms. On the other, LCV said it supports "hardening" the New York City region's water infrastructure and public transit system to protect the systems.

"Scientists and policymakers now accept that extreme weather events may well be the 'new normal' and that New York must prepare accordingly," LCV said in its policy statement. "Climate adaptation and community resilience must be incorporated into every facet of government planning, policy and investment."

On carbon emissions, Cuomo urged the nine states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) -- a cap-and-trade program for electric power plants in nine northeastern states -- to lower the current cap of 165 million tons of CO2. On New York Harbor, Cuomo said a long-term strategy should be developed to combine natural barriers with man-made obstacles to limit high tides and surges when a severe storm hits.

Cuomo mentioned floodgates in his remarks but stopped short of backing specific proposals for the harbor, many of which would likely cost tens of billions of dollars to construct.

LCV said it also supports turning the focus back on RGGI and urged participating states to lower carbon allowances as a way to bump up the price of greenhouse gas emissions. The group also said it would back "cost-effective" offshore wind power in federal waters and support construction of more power transmission where needed.

More specifically, LCV urged New York lawmakers to make utilities develop "infrastructure modernization plans" to demonstrate how all investments will help them prepare for extreme weather, lower carbon output or both.

As for the most controversial subject still to be dealt with in the Empire State -- hydraulic fracturing -- LCV said any regulations meant to lift the state's moratorium against the drilling method must ensure that public health is protected.

Regulations, if they are ever issued, must address "the risks and impacts associated with natural gas exploration and production using hydraulic fracturing and the management and disposal of wastes generated by those activities, and provide for a full public discussion of hydraulic fracturing's potential health impacts," the agenda document said.

LCV also urged "drill-free zones" in critical habitat areas and in surface and groundwater watersheds. However, the group did not say outright that it would oppose all such regulations.

Cuomo is under the gun to finalize hydraulic fracturing rules this year. The Department of Environmental Conservation in New York has been looking into the permits since 2008, and many expect a ruling within the next few months.