If the state had just called the lengthy report it released today "ideas to make money or save money," more people would read it. But instead, they called it the "Final Report of the New York State Commission on Asset Maximization" - boo for government-y jargon.

The report, which is the work of the forenamed commission, focuses on public-private partnerships to advance some issues, or to make money off of things that the state owns. A good example is high-speed rail. The report lays out the situation at hand - the federal government is going to evaluate applications for high-speed rail projects in some 10 corridors, including one that stretches across New York. It then goes on to recommend that the state team up with a few private-sector partners to pursue the funding - which would significantly up the state's chances of getting some money.

There are a bunch of recommendations dealing with school construction, information technology, and state-owned real estate. But some of the more intriguing recommendations - and some of the ones that leave the most room for discussion or argument - come under the energy heading.

Ever since the expiration of Article X, the state's streamlined power plant siting law, there's been considerable debate about the best approach to draft a new law. On one hand, there are the critics who say that the old law stripped too much local input and decision-making out of the process. On the other hand is an economic development argument - that a siting law is necessary to help get new plants online and to ensure inexpensive electricity for New York businesses. The report recommends developing a new policy that takes all of that into account. Good luck!

The report also recommends off-shore wind on the Great Lakes. That idea has been bandied about for some time, and there are significant merits and drawbacks. The location would provide the powerful, sustained winds that move the blades. But installing them is much more expensive than building them on land - which also isn't cheap. But if the state implements a recommendation to use long-term contracts with renewable energy suppliers to incentivize the industry, it might have a chance.

And a recommendation to put hydropower along the Erie Canal - again, via a public-private partnership - would help address two issues. The canal system loses money each year, but leasing the land to a private company would help offset that. It would also help generate more renewable - and hopefully inexpensive - electricity.

Keep in mind, these are just recommendations. You can bet at least half of them will be ignored. But some of these ideas deserve discussion and even action.