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GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES START OF CONSTRUCTION ON 339-MILE CHAMPLAIN HUDSON POWER EXPRESS TRANSMISSION LINE TO BRING CLEAN ENERGY TO NEW YORK CITY

Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the start of construction of the 339-mile Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line, being developed by Transmission Developers Inc, to deliver reliable clean energy from Hydro-Québec in Canada directly to New York City.

The construction of this green infrastructure project, which begins following the execution of a major union labor agreement between the developer and New York State Building and Construction Trades, is expected to bring $3.5 billion in economic benefits to New Yorkers while creating nearly 1,400 family-sustaining union jobs during construction. Today’s announcement accelerates progress to achieve New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to obtain 70 percent of electricity statewide from renewable sources by 2030 on the path to a zero-emission grid.

“As construction begins on this project to help deliver clean energy to New York City, our state is setting yet another example of what climate action looks like,” Governor Hochul said. 

“The Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line is a monumental step toward protecting our environment and creating family-sustaining, green jobs in both upstate and downstate New York. In partnership with union labor, this green infrastructure project will bring billions of dollars in economic benefits to our state and will pave the way for cleaner air and a healthier future for all New Yorkers.” 

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said, “The Champlain Hudson Power Express is a powerful example of the infrastructure that President Biden and Governor Hochul are committed to bring to New York and America. The project is expected to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable power while creating good-paying, union jobs.”

Champlain Hudson Power Express is the first of two historic projects to start construction under the State’s first-of-its-kind renewable energy and transmission program, known as Tier 4, that is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The program aims to responsibly deliver a significant increase of renewable energy to New York City, an area of the state that relies on aging fossil fuel-fired generation located largely in underserved communities, experiences the most significant air quality issues and health impacts from fossil fuel emissions, and has a marked need for improved grid reliability and resiliency.

Once completed, Champlain Hudson Power Express will deliver 1,250 megawatts of clean hydroelectricity, enough to power over one million homes, and will reduce carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons statewide, the equivalent of taking over half a million cars off the road every year. The transmission line is expected to be fully operational in the spring of 2026.

This milestone comes after the New York State Public Service Commission approved the project’s first Environmental Management and Construction Plan for a 17.6-mile stretch of the transmission route between Putnam and Whitehall. The initial stage of construction activities, including site preparation and construction of a laydown yard, will begin in Washington County, near Whitehall, and is anticipated to continue through November 2024. A map of the transmission line can be found here. 

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO, and Climate Action Council Co-Chair, Doreen M. Harris said, “With construction beginning on the Champlain Hudson Power Express project, we are helping solidify New York’s transition away from fossil fuels and demonstrate to the nation how strategic private-public partnerships can help us tackle some of our toughest energy challenges head-on. As the first of two historic transmission developments to break ground, Champlain Hudson Power Express is helping to usher in the grid of the future – all while New York continues to build the most robust public renewables pipeline in the nation that will power homes and businesses for years to come.”

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. November 30, 2022:

Subject: for the Planning Board . . .a suggestion for the Farrell Estates project

Regarding the Farrell Estates project. . .you could save time and money with less misinformation for everyone involved if the City ordered (with reimbursement by Farrell) an independent “detailed water flow analysis” for the old golf course property. . .now rather than later.

Because an independent “detailed water flow analysis” will determine how many houses can be safely built according to current zoning. . .and will insure that the new construction does not add more water problems to existing Gedney Farms neighborhood homes.

And by knowing the right number of new houses before all the thousand page environmental reports are submitted. . .all the other major issues of traffic, roads, sidewalks, setbacks, fencing, etc. will fall more easily into place.

Dear White Plains Planning Board Members,

We are Marie and Ron Rhodes of 22 Robinhood Road where we have lived for the past 43 years on property bordering Parcel B of the old golf course property.  And we like the idea of new single family homes coming into our neighborhood. . .providing they can be built without risk to surrounding home owners.   

As you already know 100 years or so ago the original developer of this golf course covered up underground streams with piping and in the process created an unusual golf course consisting of 4 Parcels of land with each Parcel separated by public streets and private homes.  To us it appears that he also had a concern with water issues and because he lived on Oxford Road, he may have created each Parcel to be “sloped” away from Oxford rather than being flat surfaces.  And most of the surrounding residential properties he created at the same time of his golf course were also sloped to drain onto the golf course property.  Surrounding homes like ours have been dealing with water challenges for as long as we have been here. . .so we are concerned about a new developer making our current water issues worse.  

For instance, over our own 40+ yeas of living here we have experienced all types of weather conditions on Parcel B of the old golf course.  In his preliminary plans Farrell is planning to build 4 homes right near our home where there is about a 3 ft drop down from the rest of Parcel B. . .on land which floods after rainfalls.  And even if homes are built there without basements. . .we believe that these homes will have water on their 1st floors during every rainfall.  For us this is an indication that maybe Farrell’s Consultants do not know as much as they should about the specific water issues and problem areas.  Our concern is whatever Farrell’s possible water solutions are. . .they could cause problems for ourselves and neighbors’ own properties.  And if Farrell’s new houses are also being built on top of the underground streams our problems may be greater. . .as even in the prior FASNY discussions we have never seen a current map on where these underground streams and pipes are actually located.

Strangely no one from FASNY or now Farrell has ever knocked on our door and asked our opinions on what we have seen and experienced with water flow while living next to the golf course for so long.  There are other areas on the old golf course that also flood and you would have to speak to residents there to get their specific water concerns.  The Consultants Diego and Zarin during their years representing FASNY were less than forthcoming and transparent and like all consultants they follow the instructions of those who pay their fees.  Recently Diego told the residents of Gedney Farms that “he walked the golf course property”.  Does this mean his day or so of walking gave him as much info as the residents like ourselves who have lived here for years?  And he also informed residents that we will have to “wait for his Storm Water Plan” to see what Farrell’s solutions to the water issues are.  For us this is unacceptable as after Farrell sells his 99 homes and leaves along with Diego and Zarin to go on to their next projects. . .who would residents look to for “remediation” if the Farrell and his consultants’ water changes and solutions do not work?

A good starting point would be for the Planning Board to require a current map identifying all of the underground streams and pipes to see how many of Farrell’s 99 new houses are being planned for development over underground streams. 

Our suggestion is that the City should order (with reimbursement by Farrell) an independent “detailed water flow analysis” taking into account the sloping of the original course and surrounding homes, the underground streams and current flooding areas.  In other words have an independent and detailed water evaluation of Farrell’s proposed 99 new home development done now and be transparent with the results. . .so everyone can get a feeling up front on how many houses can safely be built.

Thanks in advance for trying to safeguard current residents,  

Marie and Ron Rhodes         

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SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER/ WESTCHESTER POWER SWITCHES ON ELECTRICITY BACK TO ITS SUSTAINABLE CUSTOMERS AFTER 4 MONTHS OF CON ED DELIVERING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

CONSTELLATION ENERGY A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT COMPANY FROM CON ED SUPPLIER—NOT A SUBSIDIARY OF CON ED.

Kwh RATE OF 15.126 CENTS TAKES EFFECT FOR SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER RETURNING CUSTOMERS THURSDAY.

WPCNR THE POWER STORY. By John F. Bailey. November 28, 2022:

A postcard  from Con Edison created confusion among Sustainable Westchester/Westchester Power customers last week.

Westchester Power is the cooperative formed six years ago that combines the purchasing power of 24 towns and cities plus Yonkers in Westchester to achieve stable discount power rates on green energy generated electricity, guaranteeing  the same rate for two years

WPCNR, being a Westchester Power customer was confused too.

The postcard from Con Edison seemed to say that Cca-Constellation New was my new electricity supplier. Since I had opted to stay with Westchester Power 5 months ago, I was surprised. So were hundreds of Westchester Power customers.

When I called Westchester Power Monday morning, I was told there were 49 other persons ahead of my call (probably with the same question).

Persons who received this card previously had obviously wondered what it was all about and were wondering who would take care of the electricity if it went out.

I left my name with the press representative (explaining I was a member of the press) for Westchester Power who called me back this morning.

Jessica Meister, Customer Service Manager  assured me CCA-Constellation New is an independent Electric Supply Company under contract with Westchester Power to supply the electricity from green energy sources and was the same company Westchester Power had been using the last 5 years.

She said customers staying on with Westchester Power would be transferred from Con Edison electricity to Constellation electricity effective December 1 with billing at the new Westchester Power Rate of 15.126 cents per kilowatt hour, guaranteed for the next two years not to go up.

I asked if she had an idea how much electric rates were going to go up the next year. She said she did not, but said Con Edison had published a press release warning Con Edison expects rates to rise by 27% this winter, or 4.01 cents more than the current Con Edison rate Westchester Power customers were paying (11.5 cents per kilowatt hour), which would equal the 15.126 cents per kwh the new rate Westchester Power will have in effect beginning Thursday.

Ms. Meister said the new rate would go into effect beginning Thursday.

She said there would be no rebate on any of the months Con Edison supplied electricity while Westchester Power went back to Electric Supply Companies to get a new sustainable rate. A consulting firm that had previously conducted a power supplier survey to aid Westchester Power in hammering out a sustainable rate took over the search. The new rate was announced by Westchester Power in September.

Asked what would happen if Constellation Energy failed to supply electricity through some situation, Ms. Meister said she would get back to WPCNR on that issue. She disruptions in “Delivery” caused by physical problems with Con Ed equipment and facilities delivering electricity would be handled by Con Edison (as they always have been).

For the record the Con Edison note that caused the confusion of the last two weeks called the “new” company which was not new, “Cca-Constellation New”. The company is the same as Constellation New Energy which has been on my bill from Con Ed the last five years I have used Westchester Power. (Very happily I might add).

Con Edison has been mailing Westchester Power customers  frequently the last 9 months at least once a month offering electricity from a company called Clean Choice Energy offering a non-guaranteed rate of 16.40 cents per kilowatt hour with future months at a variable price depending on the market rate.

So had any consumer opted for this you would already start the cancel at any time contract  paying more for Con Edison “Clean Choice” Energy than the rate Westchester Power Constellation New Energy will be charging you beginning Thursday for the next two years.

Ms. Meister said the Westchester Power agreement allows a customer to leave the program at any time and come back if dissatisfied with your current choice if you left Westchester Power.

I asked her if Westchester Power had lost many customers during the pause of the last five months or leading up to the return to West and she said no, it was the usual pattern seen over the last 5 years.

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COUNTY EXECUTIVE MIND NOT MADE UP ON BOARD OF LEGISLATORS BAN OF VAPE, FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS ENACTED MONDAY NIGHT.

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. November 29, 2022:

Monday evening the Westchester County Board of Legislators passed a bill that in effect would ban sale of “vape” and flavored tobacco products in Westchester County.

This morning on his weekly report on WVOX 1460 radio on the Dennis and Tonny Good Morning Westchester program, Westchester County Executive George Latimer said he and his staff would be analyzing the economic impacts of the ban as well as other unrelated economic issues, and indicated he was not committed to sign the bill  until those factors were examined.

The County Executive said he had 10 days to sign the bill into law.

Dennis Nardone, the morning show asked him why the bill was being considered when persons could go New York City Connecticut and other neighboring areas to buy the possible to be banned products or by mail. Mr. Latimer did not comment on the merits of the bill or the widespread availability of the products , but said he reserved judgment before he and his staff had analyzed the economic impact.

A two hour hearing was held November 14 by the County Board of Legislators to gather public comment on the ban.

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