September 4, 2007

Welcome to Environmental Advocates of New York’s online newsletter from the State Capital, your source for environmental news. We’ll update you every other week with tidbits and observations carefully gleaned from the halls of the Capitol.

High Price Tag Kills Jones Beach Offshore Wind Farm

The proposed Jones Beach offshore wind farm won’t get the chance to generate new clean power for Long Island.

The project’s high price tag was ultimately the cause of its undoing according to comments from Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Chairman Kevin Law. FPL Energy LLC’s most recent estimates were almost $700 million for the project. And a report released last month by Pace Global Energy Services LLC estimated the project would cost $811 million.

Cost concerns about the project have been under scrutiny for months and the decision was not unexpected. Thankfully, LIPA made it clear that it is still open to wind power proposals, of both the on- and offshore variety.

Environmental Advocates of New York remains supportive of wind power and the critical role it will play in our energy future. Because energy use is a significant source of air pollution, one way to reduce pollution is by increasing the use of clean and safe energy, such as wind and solar power.

Ready for RGGI

Environmental Advocates of New York and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York recently brought green groups together with representatives from clean energy technologies to update them on the NYS rulemaking associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Representatives of more than 40 organizations and companies attended. 

The mini-conference was an opportunity to hear first-hand from Department of Environmental Conservation officials about the status of New York’s much-anticipated rule to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, and to strategize about how to make the rule as strong as possible.

Plans for the now 10-state regional climate pact started in 2003. States are now formalizing their RGGI rules, some faster than others. The regional climate pact to control carbon dioxide emissions is set to begin in less than 16 months and the clock is ticking.

State to Make New Construction Green

Last week, New York's First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer announced that the Governor plans to introduce legislation that will inspire homeowners to "green" their homes and make them more energy efficient by means of a financial incentive.

The NYS Dormitory Authority also announced its plan for new construction projects—including health care facilities, schools and universities. These new buildings will be required to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, which include more efficient water and energy use, better air quality, and the use of sustainable materials.

Energy use in buildings, primarily for heating and cooling systems, is one of the biggest sources of carbon dioxide emissions in New York State, making the First Lady’s announcement welcome news. Read more the Governor's announcement here.

Brownfields Program Needs Fixing, Tax Credits Could Cost NYS $1 Billion

NYS Environmental Conservation Committee Chairs Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Oyster Bay) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) recently held a hearing in Cold Spring Harbor to solicit input on the State’s now four-year-old Brownfield Cleanup Program.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis testified to the fact that the program is alive and well but in need of some changes, particularly with regard to Brownfields Tax Credits. He noted that at the current rate the state cannot sustain the tax credits.

According to Grannis’ testimony, the 28 sites that have received certificates of completion and the 25 expected to complete the program by year’s end expose the state to more than $1 Billion in tax credits. Many, if not most, of the sites are slated to receive tax credits well in excess of the cleanup costs, something many state officials think threatens the long-term viability of the program.

 Environmental Advocates of New York would like to see the Brownfields statute and regulations amended to address not only the tax credits, but also to ensure that cleanups are protective of the environment and human health. It’s expected that another hearing on the program will be held later this fall, at which time Environmental Advocates will be submitting testimony.

An “Inconvenient Truth” at St. Bart’s

Join us for a special live presentation of “An Inconvenient Truth” with singer Kathy Mattea and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis on Tuesday, October 23 at 6 p.m. at Saint Bartholomew’s Church (Park Ave. at 51 St., NYC).

Sponsored by NYS Senator Liz Krueger, St. Bart’s, and Environmental Advocates of New York, the event is free and open to the public. Come early to reserve your seat.  

Congestion Pricing Commission  

Members of the commission that will guide Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to cut traffic congestion and air pollution in New York City, AKA “congestion pricing” were named last week. Most of those named have expressed support for the Mayor’s proposal to charge drivers to enter Manhattan.

Environmental Advocates is impressed by the diversity of opinion and expertise these New York leaders bring to the table to discuss the controversial plan.

The Mayor tapped the chief attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, Gene Russianoff, the city's transportation commissioner, Janette Sadik-Kahn, and a civil rights attorney, Elizabeth Yeampierre.

Governor Spitzer named the executive vice president of the Extell Development Company, Marc Shaw, the executive director of the Port Authority, Anthony Shorris, and the executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Elliot Sander.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appointed Assembly members Herman Farrell, Vivian Cook and Richard Brodsky. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno appointed the president of the NYC Central Labor Council, Gary La-Barbera, the chairman of the State University of New York, Thomas Egan, and the president of the Nassau County Council Chamber of Commerce, Richard Bivone.

The speaker of the City Council, Christine Quinn, named the president of the Partnership for New York City, Kathryn Wylde, the executive director of the Drum Major Institute, Andrea Batista Schlesinger, and the Reverend Edwin Reed to the commission. The project director of Arverne By the Sea, Gerard Romski and the regional director of Environmental Defense, Andrew Darrell, were also named.

The new Congestion Pricing Commission has until March 2008 to make its recommendations to lawmakers in Albany and New York City.