Contact CPA for details or for questions
5/11/2008
Natural gas lease will bring in $90 million
| A coalition of about 300 property owners near Deposit, Sanford and Windsor have struck it rich, and the drilling hasn't even started yet. The coalition will be accepting a deal collectively worth nearly $90 million -- to be paid to property owners in lump sums this year -- to allow natural gas companies drilling rights to their land for five years, said Dewy Decker, the coalition organizer. They will receive another lump some of $90 million if the gas companies want to extend their leases for three years. The group agreed to an offer by XTO Energy of Fort Worth, Texas and Whitmar Exploration of Denver. The two companies working under a partnership offered landowners $2,411 per acre for energy rights for five years, and the same amount for the three-year extention. But the real money could come once the drilling begins, and property owners get 15 percent of the royalties to whatever the natural gas wells produce. A signing is scheduled for May 29 and 30 at the Binghamton Regency, Decker said. The coalition represents 37,000 acres of land in the towns of Sanford, Deposit and Windsor near the site of the Millennium natural gas pipeline being constructed this year. |
State Has Demand Without Supply
| Recent actions by Connecticut and New York to block the proposed Broadwater LNG terminal in Long Island Sound must leave energy investors and some consumers scratching their heads in wonderment. Energy policies in Connecticut are driving up demand for natural gas, so much so that its use to generate electricity has tripled in a decade. New York has fared better, but it too has adopted policies that may change that trajectory and drive up demand. So here we have two high-tech, energy-importing states sending conflicting messages to the market: Increase use of natural gas, but do it without increasing supply. And, at least in Connecticut's case, it assumes that projects in other states and regions will meet the demand that it is unwilling to supply. Projects off the coast of Massachusetts and New Jersey are mentioned. But these projects are being built to meet other needs, which may leave Connecticut without a fallback position. (Click to read entire item) |
CO2 maps gas sources
PSC looking out for the consumer
| Regarding Iberdrola's proposed acquisition of Energy East, the Public Service Commission is doing exactly what it was mandated to do by the state Legislature. That is, to keep control of electricity distribution separate from electricity generation — Iberdrola's wind developments. Industrial wind power has not lived up to its claims in real- world operation. Conventional power plants must be kept on constant standby — using fossil fuel and emitting carbon dioxide — for when the wind doesn't blow. No green benefit there. Actual electricity production averages 15 percent to 30 percent of capacity at best. Wind power is unreliable, unpredictable and expensive, with many negative effects. Go to www.wind-watch.org for a real eye-opening experience. Iberdrola will be making far more money than it will be investing in New York and taking those profits out of the United States. The PSC is protecting the common citizens' interests, not that of big business. —JOAN SIMMONS CANANDAIGUA |
5/10/2008
Researcher: Discovery could end energy crisis
| A Tifton agricultural researcher says he has found the solution to the world’s energy crisis through genetic modification and cloning of bacterial organisms that can convert bio-mass into hydrocarbons on a grand scale. The local researcher believes his groundbreaking discovery could result in the production of 500 to 1,000 barrels of hydrocarbon fuel per day from the initial production facility. The hydrocarbon fuel — commonly known as oil or fossil fuel when drilled — will require no modification to automobiles, oil pipelines or refineries as they exist today and could forever end the United States’ dependence on foreign oil, he said. J.C. Bell, who brought the world powdered peanut butter, has spent the last four years, identifying the bacteria that produces hydrocarbon and then finding a way to genetically alter it so that it could produce hydrocarbon in greater volume. Bell cited a USDA study that projected it was possible to produce two billion tons of bio-mass that could be converted to hydrocarbon with some modification to agriculture and forestry practices. (Click to read entire article) |
5/09/2008
Paterson to restructure state development agency
| Gov. David Paterson plans to do away with one of the two leadership posts within the Empire State Development Corporation (EDSC) as a way to unify the agency that oversees development throughout the state. During a question-and-answer period in the New York Times Midtown headquarters, following a live interview before a packed auditorium with Times journalist Matt Bai, Paterson spoke of pending changes to the agency. "You can't have an upstate economic development chair and a downstate one, which is what we have right now. We've got to have one chair on the Empire State Development Corporation, because we're one state," the governor said, when Bai asked about the city's economic responsibility to the rest of the state. Bai was posing the question on behalf of a Buffalo resident viewing the hour-long interview and submitting his query via Web cast. Paterson later told reporters that during a meeting it was decided "it sends a wrong message" to have two chairs of the agency. "Not that there was anything wrong with the talent, but we felt that there was a problem with the structure. We also felt it sent the wrong message. This is one state," he said. The former downstate chairman of the ESDC, Pat Foye, resigned in March when Gov. Eliot Spitzer stepped down amid a prostitution scandal. The upstate chairman, Dan Gundersen, still holds his post. "I'm sure one person can be sensitive to these issues all around the state," Paterson said, pointing out that the federal government only has one secretary of commerce and one housing chair. Paterson said Gunderson is not leaving and did not get into specifics on staffing changes to the agency. |
Paterson To Eliminate Upstate Economic Development Office?
| The governor is looking to have just one statewide economic development boss - leaving uncertain the future of Daniel Gundersen, the Buffalo-based co-chairman of the Empire State Development Corp. The move has some upstate officials worried that the new Paterson administration will return to the Manhattan-centered approach that dominated economic development efforts in the state for decades. They voiced concern that rhetoric about pushing an upstate economic revival might be less achievable without adequate power being given to the person promoting the upstate region to businesses. Governor David Paterson could eliminate the Upstate Empire State Development Corporation and the upstate post of Dan Gundersen, according to the Buffalo News. I'm worried about this for a few reasons. First, Eliot Spitzer made upstate a focus and Gundersen was in that post because of Spitzer. As much as this state wants to separate itself from Spitzer, the work Spitzer did with upstate is what should be followed by every governor that follows him - including Paterson. Also, I'm concerned about who is influencing this decision. I don't believe Paterson, unilaterally, would make such a decision. He has showed that he is willing to work with upstate and on behalf of upstate to address our economic concerns. One thing is clear: Gundersen was good for upstate. I sat in on a conference call after the budget was finalized and Gundersen talked about the upstate economic initiatives. He knows what's going on up here. We need Gundersen in that post. |
Group critical of wind farms
| Coalition would keep watch on state energy policy issues By Matt Surtel msurtel@batavianews.com Jim Hall has a philosophy. The 60-year-old Steuben County resident is part of Cohocton Wind Watch one of numerous small-town groups opposing wind farms proposed in their communities. Each group is up against the same cookie cutter” approach when a wind energy developer enters their town with a potential project, Hall says. And they’re often re-inventing the wheel in their efforts. Hail is among those organizing the Citizen Power Alliance. The coalition of groups and activists aims to address the bigger, state issues involved in energy projects and policy. The CPA will conduct an organizational meeting the morning of May 18 at Letchworth State Park. We’re not limited to strictly wind issues,” Hall said Wednesday. “We’re an environmental and energy alternative group that encompasses energy and environmental policy primarily in New York State but we have members outside the state ax well.” The CPA includes 14 member groups so far, including Citizens for a Healthy Rural Neighborhood of Perry. They’re primarily based in Western New York, though the CPA is a statewide group, with other members in New Hampshire and Ohio. “The alliance coalition has been organizing over the past several months,” Hall said. The Letchworth gathering is more a get-together because we don’t have a tremendous amount of opportunity where people can see each other face-to-face.” Members will discuss which directions they’d like to pursue, along with organizing leadership and committees. Eminent domain and the state’s proposed Article X legislation are among the CPA’s biggest concerns. Hall said. The former has traditionally been used by the government to seize land for public developments such as highways and hospitals. But it’s more recently been used for commercial development, and CPA members fear eminent domain could be used for projects benefiting private companies, and which are not in the public interest. Article X was developed to speed up the review process for determining the locations of new power plants, but expired in 2003. Proposals to renew the law are under way at the state level, and opponents have often cited fears it would take away local control over wind farms and other projects. “Were really concerned home rule will be thrown aside and New York state will allow siting of all kinds of power projects, without taking into consideration the local economics and environmental policy like (the State Environmental Quality Review process).” State officials have denied Article X would allow indiscriminate siting of power projects. Hall said the state’s pursuing the “fast track” for such projects, which would override local laws and ordinances passed by towns. We’re looking for a sound environmental and energy policy on the state level,” he said. “We feel the current direction does not work.” The state is pursuing policies which ignore all the implications of subsidies given to corporations, that won’t really produce the desired energy, he said. He cited energy credit trading and problems with turbine gearboxes at the Steel Winds project in Lackawanna. The CPA members feel that’s fraud, he said. Besides the existing member groups, the CPA has another 15 to 20 partner links on its Web Site, Hall said. He believes the group represents several thousand members cumulatively. Those interested in working with the group will be able to attend the gathering, 9 am to 10 pm May 18 at the Middle Falls pavilion. It’s asked that those attending be constructive, and the CPA reserves the right ask disruptive people to leave. “We’re quite interested to invite anyone who has interest in sound and community-based environmental interests and energy policy in New York State to attend,” Hall said. “We don’t keep secrets. Were very open.” Visit www.citizenpoweralliance.com for information. |
PROJECT SUNSHINE NEW YORK STATE
| Project Sunlight is an effort by my office to promote your right to know and to monitor governmental decision-making. This website - the first of its kind in New York - allows you to easily access statewide government information that until now has been scattered and difficult to retrieve. Of course, Project Sunlight would not be available without the support of the Governor and legislative leaders. Their agreement - and the support of the entire legislature - ensured that start-up funding for Project Sunlight was included in the state budget. Currently, we are working on the first phase of this project: collecting and standardizing different data and making it available to you on a comprehensive, easy-to-search website. During this initial phase, you have the ability to search the Project Sunlight website to examine information related to campaign finance, legislation, lobbying activity, and recipients of state government contracts. Our goal is to promote disclosure as well as to increase government's transparency and accountability to you. As James Madison, the Founding Father of the Bill of Rights observed, "Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." We look forward to receiving your comments or suggestions, and any requests for additional information you would like to see made publicly available. We will incorporate your ideas into a more robust version in 2008. We hope this website is helpful to you. Sincerely, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo |
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREW CUOMO APPOINTS SPECIAL DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY
| NEW YORK, NY (February 26, 2007) – Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the appointment of Ellen Nachtigall Biben as Special Deputy Attorney General for Public Integrity, where she will oversee landmark initiatives to fight government corruption. The Public Integrity Bureau will handle civil and criminal cases, pursuing perpetrators of fraud and bad conduct statewide and seeking to recover misspent taxpayer funds. Ms. Biben’s distinguished 11-year career as a prosecutor for the New York County District Attorney’s office has produced several long-term, comprehensive investigations into organized crime, money laundering, public corruption, tax evasion, and other forms of racketeering. Since 2001, she has specialized in such prosecutions, serving as Deputy Bureau Chief of the Rackets Bureau. “Ellen Biben’s proven experience finding and eliminating corruption in its various forms puts her at a great advantage to help restore integrity and trust in the state Capitol and beyond,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “Her tireless work as a prosecutor has served the people of New York County well for over a decade. I am proud to welcome her to our team, where she will lead this extraordinarily important effort. She will be an asset not only to the Department of Law, but to the entire state.” For the Department of Law, Ms. Biben will manage Attorney General Cuomo’s milestone public integrity initiatives, which include a thorough review of approximately 6,000 legislative budget member items, a multi-layered legality review of any further proposed items, and “Project Sunlight,” a statewide Internet database where New Yorkers can examine links between elected officials, campaign donations, lobbyists, special interests, and/or state contracts. “Ellen Biben served the Manhattan District Attorney’s office with distinction for more than ten years,” said New York County District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau. “Her excellent work on a wide range of white-collar, corruption, and organized crime cases, and her experience as a supervisor in the Rackets Bureau make her an outstanding choice to head the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit.” Prior to her tenure at the New York County District Attorney’s office, Ms. Biben was a litigation associate with Sullivan & Cromwell and a law clerk to the Hon. Alan H. Nevas of the United States District Court for Connecticut. Ms. Biben received a B.A. from Wesleyan University, where she was captain of the varsity swim team and a J.D. from the University of Southern California Law Center, where she was executive editor of the Law Review. |
5/08/2008
Schwinn's Electric Bikes Now Available
 After many delays, Schwinn's new electric bikes are now available in certain bike stores. The range includes the Campus, the least expensive model at $1,900, the World GSE, which sells for $2,200, and the Continental priced at $2,500. These bikes look just like regular bikes -- the electric motors and batteries are integrated seamlessly into the design.Schwinn claims that the four pound Protanium lithium polymer battery included with these bikes is the lightest and most durable on the market. One charge will last 40-60 miles. You detach the batteries to charge them, so there are no wires on the bike itself. The bikes use a 250 watts max electric hub motor in the front wheel, controlled by a throttle on the handlebar which can propel the bike up to 18 mph. The batteries have a lifespan of about 3 years. A word of caution: the electric bike review magazine, A To B, warns that the Schwinn's they tested had battery problems when going uphill . |
Wind energy company Noble Environmental plans IPO
| NEW YORK - Wind energy company Noble Environmental Power Inc. has registered for an initial public offering of common stock, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Thursday. Noble did not disclose the expected size or price range of the IPO, but indicated the offering price may total up to $375 million. The company noted that the total offering price was estimated to calculate its registration fee and may change. The Essex, Conn.-based company was founded in August 2004 and began operating its first wind parks in March 2008. Noble has 282 megawatts, or MW, of electrical generating capacity through wind parks in New York. The company has also started construction of additional wind parks in New York and Texas that it expects will provide an extra 465 MW of capacity in 2008. By the end of 2012, Noble expects to have about 3,850 MW of capacity. The company widened its loss to $42.5 million in 2007, from $20.7 million in 2006. Noble plans to use the net proceeds from the IPO for general corporate purposes, which include development activities, investments and other capital expenditures, such as future turbine supply agreements. President and Chief Executive Walter Howard was previously a senior vice president at American Water Works Company Inc., a nongovernmental water supplier and water utility. He also served as CEO of Noble Power Assets LLC, which was founded by some members of the company's senior management to acquire assets in the unregulated electric power generation industry. Lehman Brothers (nyse: LEH - news - people ), JP Morgan Securities and Credit Suisse Securities are underwriting the IPO. Noble plans to list its shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market (nasdaq: NDAQ - news - people ) under the symbol "NEPI." |
Expect a Jolt When Opening the Electric Bill
| Surging fuel costs are about to inflict more pain on consumers, this time in the form of rapidly rising electricity bills. Power prices are being pushed up across the U.S., with increases sometimes soaring into double digits, due to costlier coal and natural gas, the fuels used to make 70% of the nation's electricity. It usually takes awhile for fuel-price swings to show up in electricity bills because utilities typically buy most of what they need under long-term arrangements. As older contracts expire, though, utilities are facing the reality of higher costs. (Click to read entire article) |
5/07/2008
Windmills are a hurdle in Spanish utility's bid to buy NYSEG
| SARANAC LAKE — New York State Electric and Gas, which provides electricity to customers in several towns in the northeastern Adirondacks, may soon be owned by a Spanish power company if a deal can be reached with the state Public Service Commission. NYSEG, which is based in Binghamton and provides electricity and gas to Jay, Wilmington and AuSable Forks as well as much of Clinton County, is a subsidiary of Energy East, a Portland, Maine-based company. Iberdrola, a Madrid, Spain-based utility provider, agreed to purchase Energy East last June for $8.4 billion. Federal regulators have approved the merger, as have regulators in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the other four states where Energy East operates, but the PSC is withholding approval until Iberdrola divests itself of all wind holdings in the state and agrees not to invest in any more. “The PSC says it would prevent other wind developers from moving forward with projects, and also that it wouldn’t allow other wind developers to connect to their lines,” U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said last week. “This is absolutely absurd. The PSC has not offered a shred of evidence to support this claim.” Iberdrola’s case will be going before the PSC this summer. PSC spokesman James Denn told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle last week that negotiations between the company and the commission are continuing and that PSC is trying to ensure no one company can monopolize the wind energy market in the state. “If a company can control both the generation and the distribution of electricity, they have an opportunity to exert a greater influence on the market than you might want them to,” Denn said. Schumer said existing regulatory safeguards should be adequate to ensure Iberdrola doesn’t break the law. “If the PSC is so inept at finding illegal actions by utilities, they ought to fold up shop themselves,” Schumer said. The PSC has also said Iberdrola should create a $664 million trust fund to cover unforeseen increases in utility prices so consumers’ rates don’t go up. The company has agreed to a $200 million trust fund so far. “I don’t think it’s high enough, but it’s a good start,” Schumer said. Iberdrola is one of the leading producers of wind power in Europe. It already holds a 50 percent stake in the Maple Ridge Wind Farm in Lewis County, and it owns the Roaring Brook Wind Farm in Lewis County and the Horse Creek Wind Farm in Jefferson County. It has several wind farms in Pennsylvania, and it has signed deals to develop wind power in Massachusetts and Connecticut. “Particularly with fossil fuel prices going up, wind power offers real environmental and economic benefits,” Schumer said. “The PSC is standing on its head. It’s upside down; it’s inside out. They should be encouraging Iberdrola to use wind power.” Schumer said the Maple Ridge Wind Farm, which opened in 2007, pays $8 million per year in property taxes, pays $1.56 million to local property owners and has created 159 new jobs. Schumer said New York greatly underutilizes wind power, currently using only 411 megawatts of the grid’s 7,000 megawatt capacity. Contact Nathan Brown at 891-2600 ext. 26 |
Give back to the grid
| We need more diverse sources of energy. We need to reduce our electric bills. So why won't New York State allow businesses, schools, hospitals and other government entities to get serious about generating their own power? That's the question Albany lawmakers were asked repeatedly yesterday on "Net Metering Day," as advocates for an intelligent energy policy tried to spark support for a law giving electrical power to the people. Perhaps these bills, which make economic and environmental common sense, have languished because the legislators can't comprehend what exactly net metering means. Or maybe the state's private utilities, which stand to lose a few dollars if local generation becomes widespread, were more persuasive. Well, we can help with the comprehension part. Right now, residential users who create their own solar, wind or biomass power can make their meters spin backward, reducing their bills. Extra power can be sold back to the electrical grid. More widespread benefits, however, will come only when huge power-users can play, too. Lawmakers should get behind the expansive net metering bills sponsored by Assemb. Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and Sen. Owen Johnson (R-West Babylon). While two local lawmakers are taking the lead in this fight, Long Island really doesn't need a new law to get started - LIPA is exempt from the regulations for private utilities. Just 227 Nassau and Suffolk homeowners had the pleasure of getting a refund check last year, but Long Island Power Authority chief executive Kevin Law has decided to expand the program to all LIPA customers. That's just the kind of aggressive energy leadership the state needs. Now it's Albany's turn. |
VW Will Sell a 200 MPG Car in 2010
 So you're excited about the 2010 Prius, with its modest mileage gains. Or maybe you really want a Chevy Volt, with a 40 mile all-electric range. 2010, as we've noted, is going to be a good year for green cars. But, well, this is ridiculous. VW has been talking for a long time about their 1L concept, so called because it uses a measly 1 liter of gasoline to go 100 km. For us Americans, that translates to about 230 miles per gallon. Of course, the amazing mileage comes at a price. The car is tiny, more of a tobaggon than a car. The single passenger actually sits behind the driver, like in a small airplane. The tiny engine will only get the car up to about 75 mph and, as such, VW doesn't expect to sell a lot of them. Safety concerns might also keep the car from being a best seller. But, since it does have four wheels, it will have to meet all of the normal safety regulations for cars. VW will continue to release details on the car, but they are firm that it will be produced by 2010. And, in terms of pure efficiency, its only real competitor will be the 300 MPG Aptera. Via MotorAuthority and Gas2 |
Energy reduction plan would hike bills
| National Grid has proposed new environmentally-friendly programs for its Upstate New York service area designed to save energy. If rubber-stamped by the Public Service Commission, the average National Grid residential electric customer could see a $1.50 increase in their monthly bills as early as October. Over the three years the programs will be made available, company officials estimate those customers could save a total $350 million. "As part of its energy and environmental policy, the state of New York has set an ambitious goal of reducing energy usage 15 percent by 2015," said Tom King, president of National Grid in the U.S. "National Grid is proposing expanded energy efficiency programs for our customers so that we can together take action to achieve this goal." The proposed programs were filed April 30, and cover what would be considered the old Niagara Mohawk service territory. The company has some 1.5 million electric customers in Upstate New York. (Click to read entire article) |
Energy board switches on by LARRY RULISON
| ALBANY -- Gov. David Paterson's effort to create a state energy plan kicked off Tuesday on the second floor of the Capitol. Paul DeCotis, Paterson's deputy secretary for energy, presided over the newly created state Energy Planning Board, which has 13 members from various state agencies and the executive branch. DeCotis unveiled ambitious goals and a grueling process that is expected to create a final state energy plan by June 30, 2009. "Given the large scope of the executive order, it really is an enormous challenge," he said. DeCotis and the other members of the board, including executive director Thomas Congdon, met in a packed room, where many in the audience had to stand. Several energy industry leaders and executives were in the crowd, including Pat Curran, executive director of The Energy Association of New York State, which represents utilities, and Gavin Donohue, president of the Independent Power Producers of New York, which represents power plant owners. Representatives from Horizon Wind Energy, a wind farm owner, and Reliant Energy, an energy marketer, also attended. Staff members will develop a framework for the plan before the board's next meeting in midsummer. Paterson's executive order already lays out goals such as forecasting energy prices and supplies for the next 10 years and looking into alternative energy and the effect energy policies have on the environment and public health. The plan also is expected to compare energy costs in New York with those in other states. "We have more issues than time," said Garry Brown, chairman of the state Public Service Commission and a member of the board. The panel plans to create a public Web site, and it will accept input from the public and interested policy groups. After a draft is completed next March, it will hold six public hearings across the state. "We anticipate it will be a very engaging process," DeCotis said. New York's last state energy plan was completed in 2002. |
5/06/2008
A first crack at pricing carbon in the U.S.
| The first regulated carbon market in the U.S. will take its cue from eBay. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI, pronounced "Reggie") is scheduled to go online September 10. It's a cap-and-trade system for carbon that electric power generators in 10 Northeast states need to participate in. An online auction company called World Energy won the bid to write the software that utilities will need to use. I spoke with World Energy Solutions to get a feel for the mechanics behind carbon trading at RGGI. In a nutshell, it's a blind online auction where power generators are competing for the cheapest price, in this case, a permit to pollute. World Energy Solutions already has a business operating energy markets where electricity purchasers in deregulated markets buy contracts from suppliers. For example, a handful of representatives from power producers could compete during a half-hour-long online auction for a municipality's planned power purchases. (Click to read entire article) |
NYSEG advertisement - Community Energy, a company controlled by IBERDROLA
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Green energy means more work for lobbyists
| Congressional leaders and all three presidential contenders are talking about spurring the economy by pumping money into renewable fuel research and creating green jobs. But unlike many political promises, this is one for which they can actually begin to take some credit. Already, they have created new green jobs, and many of them are right here in Washington. Ten years ago, the alternative energy industry spent less than $2 million on lobbying, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. As Congress began moving on two global warming bills last year, that spending reached nearly $16 million. The American Wind Energy Association spent $815,700 on lobbyists last year, according to lobbying disclosure reports. The National Biodiesel Board shelled out $1.2 million — more than double its lobbying budget for 2006. (Click to read entire article) |
5/05/2008
National Grid Advances Energy Efficiency Programs in Upstate New York to Address Climate Change and High Energy Costs
| National Grid today announced an expanded portfolio of energy efficiency programs in its Upstate New York service area to help customers save energy, save money and benefit the environment. With the fundamental objective of advancing the most efficient use of energy as possible to reduce overall demand, the programs include home weatherization, incentives to purchase efficient appliances, interactive online efficiency tools, system infrastructure and co-generation opportunities for commercial, industrial and municipal customers, and additional funding for low-income programs. "As part of its energy and environmental policy, the State of New York has set an ambitious goal of reducing energy usage 15 percent by 2015," said Tom King, president of National Grid in the U.S. "National Grid is proposing these expanded energy efficiency programs for our customers so that we can together take action to achieve this goal. As a company, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions and assisting our customers with their energy costs. Our cost-effective energy efficiency programs are a way to do both at once." The proposal is consistent with the New York State Public Service Commission's objective of expanding energy efficiency and dovetails with the findings of a recent McKinsey & Company study, co-sponsored by National Grid, pointing to the potential of energy efficiency measures as the most cost-effective option for mitigating climate change. (Click to read entire article) |
ALBION: Wind witness speaks out by Nicole Coleman
| When commercial wind turbines were first proposed in Brad Jones’ hometown of Italy, N.Y., he thought it was a good thing. As an environmentalist, he had looked into purchasing a small agricultural windmill at his farm for its clean, renewable energy. Then he started asking questions. Semi-retired, he began to spend close to 40 hours a week researching its potential effects. Others in his community joined in and they began networking with residents in areas facing the same issue with the Citizens Power Alliance. What they uncovered made them feel quite differently about the 400-plus-foot turbines, Jones said. (Click to read entire article) |
Assemblyman Morelle May 5, 2008 CPA Reply Letter by James Hall
| May 5, 2008 Joseph Morelle NYS Assemblyman 132nd Assembly District LOB 716 Albany, NY 12248 Assemblyman Morelle, Your May 5, 2008 editorial, Clear way for Energy East sale, in the Democratic and Chronicle issue is dead wrong. Obviously you are not aware of the mandate that NYS assigned to the Public Service Commission when utility deregulation took effect. The PSC is mandated to enforce the separation of electric generation from distribution. This clear distinction is at the core why Iberdrola should not be approved to acquire Energy East. Also, Iberdrola is in play for a hostile takeover, which brings serious instability. Are you aware of the Anti-trust violations cited by the EU against Iberdrola? Please review our testimony at the Rochester PSC hearing 2/21/08 pages 98 - 103. Iberdrola has stated openly in the press that their real intention is to control industrial wind developments in the Energy East region. It is established beyond any factual doubt that wind generation is vastly more costly than hydro, natural gas, coal and nuclear generation. When coupled with the unreliability of such inconsistent technology, it is clear that the price of electricity will be dramatically increased under an Iberdrola management policy for Energy East. Your claim that: “$200 million in rate reductions for Energy East customers as part of the terms of Iberdrola's acquisition” is disingenuous. Your assertion that: “$100 million for wind-power generation in upstate, which will greatly assist New York in reaching its goals for the development of clean and renewable energy sources”, obviously vastly underestimates the real costs of billions needed for the 5,000 plus industrial turbine machines that are slated for New York State. Lastly, you are solely deficient in minor role that industrial wind could play since the wind patterns in most parts of the state cannot support electric generation during summer months. The Citizen Power Alliance has members within your district. Enclosed is a recent letter to Senator Schumer which expands on the negative consequences of an Iberdrola PSC approval for Energy East. Our legislative staff is available to meet with you if you are so disposed to discuss your viewpoint in depth. Cordially, James Hall for CPA |
Clear way for Energy East sale by Assemblyman Joseph Morelle
| CPA recommends that Assemblyman Joseph Morelle should be contacted and told that he is dead wrong and that folks will work to see he is not re-elected. And yet the PSC continues to present new hurdles for Iberdrola to surmount, so much so that the transaction may be imperiled. Just recently, Iberdrola's corporate development director reiterated the company's willingness to walk away from the table should bureaucratic resistance continue. Yes, the PSC staff must be duly diligent in evaluating this transaction, but it's hard to argue with the Democrat and Chronicle's April 20 editorial on this issue, which correctly stated that "while oversight is a necessary function of government, too much can be cumbersome." As I noted in my report, New York will need many policy changes and investments to build a growth-friendly, innovation-based economy. I am convinced that this acquisition would move New York closer to that vibrant new economy. I trust that the PSC will reach the same conclusion before this opportunity is lost. (Click to read entire report) |
5/04/2008
Gas Up Your Car; Starve a Peasant
Mark Steyn has weighed in on the unintended consequences of biofuel production leading to tortilla riots:Unlike "global warming," food rioting is a planetwide phenomenon, from Indonesia to Pakistan to Ivory Coast to the tortilla rampages in Mexico and even pasta protests in Italy. |
Information from Clayton Planning Board
 May 4, 2008 IMPORTANT Last week the Town of Clayton Planning Board held their Horse Creek Wind Farm committee meeting (closed for public comment). Chair Bud Baril informed this committee of specific events that residents need to be aware of regarding the industrial Horse Creek Wind project. A. PPM ENERGY TO SPONSOR MEETINGS FOR RESIDENTS: Mr. Baril announced that PPM Energy will host three “public meetings” in Depauville for residents to ask them questions about their concerns regarding the Horse Creek project. When are these to take place? Mr. Baril did not know. Will residents located in the Townships of Clayton and Orleans be notified of date and time of these meetings? Mr. Baril indicated that this would be handled the usual way and that is an announcement in the TI SUN, the Towns official paper. The public is not allowed to ask any questions of the planning board referencing the Wind Farm. In fact, this Board per the Town Attorney states that they are not to even respond to any questions even in written format. Public comment is closed. It is important that residents obtain copies of the TI SUN weekly so that you will know when these meetings are to be held. We must bring all our questions to these meetings. PPM Energy is responsible for answering the Public Comments regarding this industrial wind development in both Clayton and Orleans. To date the public comments sent in on the DGEIS from one year ago, have not been answered by PPM Energy. ECCO believes that PPM Energy will not respond directly to the individuals who submitted comments on the DGEIS. We believe these meetings are their response for residents to get their answers on the public comments. In fact, this is better because those of you who did not know about the DGEIS a year ago now have the opportunity to ask questions. Now is the time for all residents to put together your questions and concerns regarding this project and attend these meetings. Those of you who have not viewed the DGEIS can do so, on line at http://www.ppmenergy.com/horsecreek/. Those of you who do not have a copy can obtain a copy from either Township (at a cost). To those of you who have never viewed concerns that our State and Federal Agencies have regarding this project such as DEC, USF&W, Public Service Commission, we can provide you with these copies. ECCO offers to any of you information that we have. If any of you have questions on areas of concerns and need information please email us at nypainter@hughes.net. Some background PPM Energy hired consultants EDR (Environmental Design). EDR is the firm who is responsible for designing the wind farm on our lands. EDR is responsible for obtaining all the appropriate studies and testing for the project. EDR is responsible for the replies to the State Agencies questions they have regarding this development. EDR has worked with PPM Energy since Bill Moore the developer started working in New York State. EDR put together the DGEIS and it will be EDR who will provide the next phase, the SEIS: Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, which will be the “site specific” layout of the turbines. B. BUS TOUR: Mr. Baril informed the Committee that PPM would sponsor another bus trip tour to Maple Ridge. Those of you who went on this tour last time will recall that there were NO turbines turning. So sound from these could not be heard by any who attended. Mr. Baril did not know when this tour would take place. Again, we can only assume it will be announced in the TI SUN. C. HORSE CREEK NOISE ANALYSIS: The Horse Creek Wind Farm Noise Analysis performed for PPM Energy called the CH2MHILL Report is bad. Even CH2MHILL references the impact is high to residents. We know this. This Analysis as been viewed by 4 other acoustic experienced sound experts. Any way you look at it is bad – ECCO and residents in the Townships of Clayton and Orleans have written to the Town Councils to ask them to amend the Local Law No1 for Wind Facilities to a standard set by the New York State DEC. THEY REMAIN SILENT TO OUR REQUEST. The Planning Boards of both Towns are aware of this too. Experts have spoken to them. Last fall PPM Energy authorized Mr. Baril to hire another acoustic firm called Cavanaugh and Tocci to review the CH2MHILL report. Residents have been waiting for the results from this consult. We have been informed that this report is indeed here. The Town has not released the report because they state, “we want some further clarification from Cavanaugh and Tocci”. What do you all believe? If 5 sound experts (includes the CH2MHILL) undoubtedly state that there will be noise impacts to residents that is higher than the recommended standards by both State and Federal Agencies to protect residents then why aren’t the Town Councils of both Clayton and Orleans amending their local law to protect their residents? There is no doubt that the word “greed” comes to mind and there is no doubt that if left unchanged the 2,500 plus lives living in and around this project are considered “collateral damage”. This is not morally right. It is up to the people to tell them to amend the Local Law No 1 for Wind Facilities. Write your letters and better yet go to both Town Meetings (Clayton and Orleans Local Law are the SAME) read your letter to them and ask that this letter be part of the Town Council minutes. Amend the Local Law NOW. They have facts and they know what we face. It is clear that the many letters written to them by residents are not being acknowledged at Council meetings. The five members of the Town Councils solely hold the responsibility to amend the Local Law/Ordinance. They remain SILENT on this issue. If the building permits are issued to PPM Energy before they change the Local Law there is no chance for help to any of the 2,500 plus residents living a mile in and around this industrial development. The entire development is only 5 x 6 miles and some residents have 15 to 32 turbines surrounding their homes within a mile and a half. If you wish information on the Horse Creek Wind Farm sound analysis called CH2MHILL please email us at nypainter@hughes.net. Thank you for taking the time to read this important message please pass on to all your neighbors, friends and family. If Clayton and Orleans are to have a wind farm then it MUST be a “Responsible” wind farm that protects first the health and welfare of all residents. |
William Tucker on alternative energy in The Weekly Standard
| Wind, hydro, and all the "alternate" sources of energy have been dubbed "green" because they are supposedly clean, renewable, and sustainable. In fact, what being "green" really means is that they all require vast amounts of land. In a 2007 paper – well on its way to becoming a classic – Jesse Ausubel, director of the program for the human environment at Rockefeller University, calculated the amount of wood it would take to run one standard 1,000-megawatt electrical plant, the kind that can power a city the size of Cincinnati. Feeding the furnace year-round would require a forest of one thousand square miles. We have 600 such coal plants around the country now – to burn wood instead would require a forest the size of Alaska. Glen Canyon Dam, which can produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity, is backed up by a reservoir 250 miles square (Lake Powell, in Arizona and Utah). That's why we stopped building dams in the 1960s – because they were drowning scenic canyons and displacing populations. Those 30-story windmills produce 1.5 megawatts apiece – about 1/750th the power of a conventional generating station. Getting 1,000 megawatts would require a wind farm 75 miles square. In a January cover story for Scientific American, three leading solar researchers proposed meeting our electrical needs in 2050 by covering southwestern desert with solar collectors. The amount of land required would be 34,000 square miles, about one-quarter of New Mexico. And that's where biofuels went awry. Nobody ever bothered to calculate how much land they would require. |
Move Over, Metal: A Big Idea for Offshore Wind
| Sometimes the race toward clean energy is tripped up by politics. Other times, by nuts and bolts. Or steel. Offshore wind power is supposed to be the great white hope of renewable energy. Out of sight, offshore wind farms could theoretically supply as much electricity as the U.S. currently produces with coal, gas, and nuclear plants. Britain fancies itself the “Saudi Arabia” of wind power, given its abundant offshore wind resources. So far, though, that’s translated into just under one-half of a regular coal-fired plant. (And things aren’t getting any better this week.) What’s the holdup? Lots of things. Offshore wind costs more than regular, onshore wind—which already costs more than traditional power sources. Getting transmission lines from offshore platforms to the electricity grid has scuppered loads of offshore wind projects. There’s another holdup—building offshore wind platforms means bidding for the same construction materials that are needed for a lot of other things, raising costs and delaying projects. (Click to read entire item) |
5/03/2008
First Tesla Electric Car Store Opens in Santa-Monica
 Another milestone for Tesla Motors, the maker of the Tesla Roadster Electric Car: Their Santa-Monica store has opened its doors yesterday. It should soon be followed by one in Silicon Valley. Tesla has also been doing a PR tour in Europe lately, showing off the Euro-spec version of the electric Roadster (300+hp with a 13,000rpm red-line, instead of the 248 hp listed for the US version). Now all they need is for more cars to be coming out of the assembly line. As we previously reported, the first production unit was delivered to Tesl |