August 27, 2003

Statement on Blackout by Christine Vanderlan
Energy Program Associate, EANY

(Albany, NY) -- New York cannot build its way out of situations like the recent blackout with new power plants. The blackout of August 14, 2003 was caused by failures in the transmission system. It is well known the blackout was not caused by a lack of electricity generating stations. As such, there are a number of solutions the state should take to enhance reliability and environmental performance of our energy system: step up investments in energy conservation to relieve pressure on overtaxed lines, ease interconnection for clean, distributed small generators, and support efforts to improve transmission capacity.

The fastest and most cost-effective ways for the state to lessen the chance of future blackouts do not require new central station power plants:

• Reduce strain on the electricity grid by increasing investment in energy efficiency. For example, the state should extend the Systems Benefit Charge past 2006. The programs funded by the Systems Benefit Charge have saved 690 megawatts (MW) of capacity as of the end of 2002, and are anticipated to save 1200 MW in capacity by 2006.
• Increase access to the grid and provide incentives for power generated on-site from solar, wind and hydrogen fuel cells. The state Legislature should pass legislation expanding net metering to make these clean, distributed generators more affordable.

The energy industry is trying to take advantage of the blackout to create momentum behind legislation that would re-create the lop-sided Article X process for siting new power plants in New York, legislation that will do nothing to solve the problems with the transmission grid. New Yorkers need a siting law that applies to plants as small as 30 MW, requires appropriate environmental scrutiny and environmental justice analysis, enhances the ability of local participation in the process, and addresses pollution caused by existing power plants.