Fall 2014 Newsletter: Citizens for Local Power has been as busy as ever. Here’s brief update about a energy initiatives that we think will be of interest to you.
Community Choice Aggregation: CLP is organizing an important initiative to allow municipalities to lower electricity costs, use a cleaner energy supply, and develop local generation assets that will boost resiliency and economic development. Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a power procurement model that allows local governments to pool the electric load of their residents, businesses, and institutions in order to purchase electricity on their behalf. CCA currently exists in six states, and plans are being made now to bring it to New York. CLP is hosting a forum for municipal officials and interested others on
Monday, September 29, 7 – 9 pm
“Taking Control of Our Energy Supply: Community Choice Aggregation for Municipalities”
SUNY/Ulster College Lounge, VAN 203 in Stone Ridge.
The event is co-sponsored by the Ulster County Association for Supervisors and Mayors, the Ulster County Planning Department, Citizens for Local Power, and Catskill Mountainkeeper. Speakers include the man who invented CCA almost 20 years ago in Massachusetts, and administrators of the Cape Light Compact (the nation’s first CCA, with 21 towns and 2 counties) and other existing CCAs such as the city of Lowell, MA. Please save the date for this informational forum. A flier is attached.
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) for NY State: In April, the NY State Public Service Commission (PSC) convened a proceeding to Reform the Energy Vision of NY State. CLP has actively participated in the REV process, serving on committees and subcommittees for markets and microgrids, consumer engagement, and platform technologies – learning as we went. Recently the PSC released its “Straw Proposal” for the REV for comment. CLP is consulting with area clean energy providers, unions, and others to ensure our comments are well-informed and incorporate the perspective of key stakeholders. For the PSC’s “Straw Proposal” and CLP’s response to the original proposal, see here. Documents # 109 (Straw Proposal} and 76 (Citizens for Local Power’s initial filing in response to policy questions).
Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC): Your help is needed to encourage Legislators in Ulster and Dutchess Counties to pass Local Laws to create the Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC), which allows area businesses and multi-family dwellings to finance energy retrofits and solar installations and pay it back on their tax bill with the savings that accrue from their energy improvements. Called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), this financing system is enabled by NYS Law and has been adopted by Westchester towns and by Orange County. Copies of the Local Law, key talking points and letters of support are available upon request to . Here’s a link to your reach your Ulster or Dutchess County Legislator.
Unified Solar Permitting: Right now, NYSERDA is offering municipalities a $2,500 incentive to adopt the Unified Solar Permit, which was developed as part of the New York Sun Initiative to expand solar energy throughout the state. Rosendale adopted the permit in May of this year. Rosendale’s resolution, permit, and CFA application are available upon request to . The permit will help ensure the safety of rooftop systems, while also removing a barrier to solar expansion posed by differing permitting requirements across New York’s many municipalities. It will send a clear signal to the solar industry that your town or city is open for solar business! As a Town Council member, Jen completed the CFA application for Rosendale, and it was quite easy. For additional information from NYSERDA, click here.
Sunday, Sept. 21, is the PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MARCH in NYC. For more info: http://peoplesclimate.org/march/or call (845) 943-9617. A bus from New Paltz organized by Climate Action Coalition will depart in the early morning of the march; returning early evening. Tickets: $20 ($10 student/low income). Send check to: New Paltz Climate Action, PO Box 671, New Paltz, NY 12561. Include name, phone, e-mail and number of people. Or by rail: Lower Hudson People’s Climate March MetroNorth train leaving from Poughkeepsie at 8:45 a.m.; Beacon at 9:12; Cold Spring 9:20; Garrison 9:24 and Croton 9:49; arrive Grand Central at 10:41. Go to first 3 cars and bring signs and banners — but nothing on wood.
Hudson Valley New Capacity Zone (NCZ): The NCZ is in effect, but the NYS Public Service Commission and Central Hudson/Fortis are seeking to have the decision overturned by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral arguments are being heard by the Circuit Court on September 12, and a decision is expected soon thereafter on whether or not this rate increase to the Mid-Hudson counties north of NYC will stand.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) required the NY Independent System Operators (NYISO) to propose a means to attract new generating capacity into the Hudson Valley, as a means of providing additional electricity (for which the need is questionable). So far, the NCZ capacity charge has been paying regional fossil fuel and nuclear power plants more to deliver the same dirty and dangerous power they already have on line, will pay Cricket Valley more to generate electricity from hydrofracked gas, and has incentivized Danskammer to come back on line, retrofitting from coal to gas. The owners of Danskammer are now asking for a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for this – yet another example of corporate welfare! In the meantime the NCZ has done nothing to promote the much needed transition to a Green Energy Economy, powered by fuel-free renewables, energy efficiency and demand response, but has put our electricity rates up with absolutely no public benefit.
Pipelines and Power Lines: The proposed Pilgrim Pipeline will run parallel to the NY State Thruway (I-87) through the center of Ulster County, carrying fracked Bakken crude oil to refineries in New Jersey. The project is still in the early stages, and well organized opposition is needed, as it is for the rail and barge options and the proposed crude oil transfer stations in Albany and New Windsor. Running west to east across the Hudson from Stony Point to Verplanck, the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion will run one-half mile to the south of Indian Point and expand from the present 26-inch diameter to a 42-inch pipeline. Investment in this fossil fuel infrastructure represents resources NOT being invested in clean energy alternatives and delays the achievement of state and federal goals. NYS’ Renewable Portfolio Standard is 30% by 2020; 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. It’s time to ensure our capital is invested in achieving this goal, not expanding fossil fuel combustion and our greenhouse gas footprint. (A backgrounder on the Pilgrim Pipeline is attached to this Newsletter.)
Transmission Lines. The Public Service Commission is holding a proceeding to rank the various transmission line proposals requested initially by the Governor’s Energy Highway Plan, and passing through Dutchess or, alternatively, Ulster County. Thanks to lots of opposition on the ground, the PSC has stipulated that new towers must be within an existing right-of-way. The upgrades are being opposed by local groups in Dutchess County. For more information on the PSC Matter: Alternating Current Transmission Upgrades – Comparative Proceeding; Case/Matter Number – 13-E-0488/13-02212 please click here. To connect with opposition groups, click here.
Central Hudson Rate Case. Believe it or not, Central Hudson Fortis has already filed to raise electricity and gas rates again. The increases will become effective in June 2016. Cenrtal Hudson Fortis is asking for hefty increases based in part on the “catch-up effect” created by the two-year rate freeze the company accepting during our fight against the Fortis takeover. Citizens for Local Power is a party to the rate case. CLP’s objective is to protect local communities and environment, taking every opportunity to move toward creation of a locally-based clean energy economy.
We hope you enjoy the rest of this beautiful summer. Watch for the CLP website, which is in development and will be posted soon.
Sincerely,
Jessica Barry, Betta Broad, Susan Gillespie, Manna Jo Greene, Kelleigh McKenzie, Dawn Meola, Jen Metzger, Jess Scott, and Amy Trompetter.
Citizens for Local Power