Assemblymember Crespo Co Sponsors Power Plant Siting Legislation Which Ushers in Cleaner, Safer, More affordable Energy, While Creating Good-Paying Jobs

Assemblymember Marcos A. Crespo (D-Bronx) announced that a three-way deal between the Assembly, Senate and governor reforms and renews the state’s Article X power plant siting law, cutting down on harmful emissions, protecting the environment and leading the state into a high-tech, sustainable future (A.8510).

    

“For nearly 10 years, New York’s been without a power plant siting law,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said. “This comprehensive measure will get us up to speed with rapidly advancing technology, positioning New York to embrace clean, reliable and affordable energy while attracting high-tech industries and the good-paying jobs that come with them.”

After the previous power plant siting law expired in 2003, the Assembly held strong in its commitment to protect host communities and the surrounding environment from potential harmful effects of new power plants. The latest bill makes those critical accommodations.

“Under previous Governors, power plant developers were allowed to side step regulations and were able to build four power plants within a mile and half of each other in the South Bronx. As a result, many Bronxites have suffered from poor air quality and shameful health disparities for a generation,” said Assemblyman Crespo.

“Under this law, we will ensure that these regulations are not side stepped and that environmental concerns in the immediate community are part of the considerations for any siting approval. I commend Speaker Silver, Chairman Kevin Cahill and organizations such as: Sustainable South Bronx, Mothers on the move, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, Nos Quedamos and others for their tireless efforts and advocacy to help us draft and negotiate this legislation,’  Assemblyman Crespo

added.

Under the measure, any proposals for facilities generating at least 25 megawatts – down from the previous law’s 80-megawatt threshold – will necessitate detailed analyses of potential health and environmental impacts, including cumulative impacts of emissions within a half-mile radius of the proposed plant. Newly constructed facilities will have to conform to stringent federal and state emissions regulations, and the bill provides for the fast-tracking of projects that could cut down on existing plants’ pollution.

In addition, any environmental justice concerns will have to be reviewed by a newly created siting board which will provide for representation by local appointees, boosts public participation by improving on the community-outreach process and increasing the amount of intervenor funding from a maximum of $400,000 to $750,000. Funding will be made available during both the pre-application process and the application process in order to facilitate participation by members residing in the community.

On-bill recovery for Green Jobs-Green New York

The legislation also authorizes the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in conjunction with utilities and LIPA, to establish an on-bill recovery program. The recovery program will allow residential and non-residential customers to repay Green Jobs-Green New York loans, which go toward energy-efficient retrofits, through their utility bills.

“Getting this law on the books is a great victory for New York,”.  “This measure will simultaneously encourage environmental responsibility and create much-needed jobs.”