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WPCNR ENERGY & ANSWERS. From the Office of State Senator 35th Senate District, Andrea Stewart-Cousins. (Edited) August 5, 2014:

Today, Environment New York Research & Policy Center released a new report: “Lighting the Way” showing strong solar growth across the nation including a 30% increase in New York in 2013.

The report emphasizes that it is not availability of sunlight that makes states solar leaders, but the degree to which state and local governments have created effective public policy to help capture the virtually unlimited and pollution-free energy from the sun.

New York’s progress on solar has helped fuel a tripling of solar energy nationwide between 2011 and 2013. In 2013, solar capacity in New York grew from 175 MW to 250 MW. (Editor’s Note: this is comparable to the output of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in one year.)

 “Solar energy is emerging as a go-to energy option here in New York and across the country,” said Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York. “Thanks to the commitment of New York’s leaders, this pollution-free energy option is poised to play a major role in helping us meet New York’s goal of a 44% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.”

Here in New York, solar progress is attributed to a number of programs; including; Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative.

“New York officials deserve tremendous credit for recognizing the environmental and economic benefits of solar energy and taking action to make it a reality,” said Leibowitz. “As more people see the benefits of solar energy, we’re confident clean, limitless energy from the sun will be a growing part of New York’s plan to reduce pollution from power plants.”

“The Solarize Westchester team is proud to be part of New York State’s ambitious efforts to maximize the economic and environmental benefits from solar technology,” said Nina Orville from Solarize Westchester.

“Through the Solarize Westchester initiative, we are focused on driving down the non-hardware costs of solar installations to make Westchester County New York State’s leader in solar installations.  Our efforts include assisting Westchester municipalities to adopt solar-friendly permitting and zoning policies and also leading Solarize campaigns, aggregating demand for solar installations at reduced costs, in eight Westchester communities.  We anticipate that these campaigns will result in approximately 400 installations during these 20-week campaigns. We’re proud to have the support of our funder, NYSERDA, and to work to deliver great results in Westchester County that can be replicated elsewhere in New York State.”

 

Democratic Conference Leader, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (White Plains 35TH Senate District) of Yonkers, said,

“Let’s make New York number one for solar energy use. We may not be in the top ten states now, according to Environment New York’s report, but we are committed with our government partners to expand solar because using the sun to generate electricity makes sense and reduces greenhouse gases.”

Solar in the United States increased more than 120-fold in the last 10 years. In the first quarter of 2014, solar energy accounted for 74 percent of all the new electric generation capacity installed in the United States. Ten states with the most solar installed per/capita are driving 89% of the solar installed in the U.S, while, representing only 26 percent of the population and 20 percent of the electricity consumption. 

And as the solar industry grows, the cost for installation decreases; making it more accessible. The price of installed solar systems fell 60 percent between the beginning of 2011 and the end of 2013.  Jobs in the solar industry are also growing rapidly. In 2013, there were more than 140,000 solar jobs in the U.S., including 5,000 in New York. 

“I am cheered by the belief that our collective conscience is at a tipping point, and that folks are waking up to the fact that renewable energy is the path to a healthy future for our planet, and our existence. Solar, wind, water power will guide our way,” added Weschester County Legislator Catherine Parker.

“I believe good news is upon us. New York State while an honorable mention today for its use of solar, has paved a way for New Yorkers to embrace solar, not as an alternative energy, something to be tossed into the mix like a cherry on an ice cream sundae, but as a renewable, dependable, affordable choice for running our businesses, our homes, our cars.  We have leaders who get this, who understand that solar power is not just for states like California, Arizona, and those that have warmer climates. Those of us who see what countries like Germany have done, know that we can get there too. It just takes persistence to keep banging the drum, and Environment New York is banging that drum today.”

Another major driver for solar energy is that it produces no pollution; including climate-altering carbon emissions.  According to the report, solar power produces 96 percent less global warming pollution than coal-fired power plants over its entire life-cycle and 91 percent less global warming pollution than natural gas-fired power plants.

“Environment New York’s report on solar states identifies and fosters an open forum for discussion of the smartest next steps that states can take now to capture the value and grow the market for solar power in a manner that protects ratepayers and strengthens the reliability of our grid while boosting clean energy jobs and the clean energy economy” said Tom Thompson of New York Solar Energy Society.

Several strong policies adopted by the top 10 solar states, like New York helped encourage homeowners and businesses to “go solar:”

•  9 states have strong net metering policies. In nearly all of the leading states, consumers are compensated at the full retail rate for the excess electricity they supply to the grid.
• 9 states have strong statewide interconnection policies. Good interconnection policies reduce the time and hassle required for individuals and companies to connect solar energy systems to the grid.
• All 10 states have renewable electricity standards that set minimum requirements for the share of a utility’s electricity that must come from renewable sources, and 8 of them have solar carve-outs that set specific targets for solar or other forms of clean, distributed electricity.
• 9 states allow for creative financing options such as third-party power purchase agreements, and 8 allow property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing. 

 

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. From the WCBOL Press Office. August 4, 2014:

The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) announced today passage of a resolution calling for a stricter review process and full risk assessments in regard to the proposed expansion of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline through the county by Houston, Texas-based Spectra Gas Corporation.

The major construction project would replace existing section of the existing 26-inch diameter pipe for pressurized gas with new 42-inch pipe from Rockland County to Massachusetts via Northern Westchester and Putnam County. Included in the project would be a tunnel built for the pipeline beneath the Hudson River and expansion of compressor stations situated in Stony Point and Southeast, plus metering and regulating stations along the way.

The approved resolution from the BOL, which was approved in a vote of 15 to 1 at its regular meeting held this morning, focuses primarily on two specific risks regarding the proposed pipeline:

its location in highly populated areas in Westchester, where potential accidents and regular emissions could be harmful to the populace, and

2) proximity to the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant and two geological faults.

“Our first concern must be for the protection of our residents and the environment,” said BOL Chairman Michael Kaplowitz (D-Somers). “This resolution embodies important safety and environmental standards that must be upheld before permission is granted to construct the pipeline.”

In its resolution, the BOL notes that the resource report submitted by Spectra Energy Partners does not reflect aggregate and cumulative emissions from compressor stations, metering stations and pipelines in the proposed expansion project. A number of health problems have been associated with emissions from compressor stations, which push the pressurized natural gas through the pipeline. These emissions typically include a number of toxic chemicals and compounds that result in ground level ozone and degraded air quality.

“We’re asking all Federal and State agencies involved with this process to make the health and safety of residents, workers and all other stakeholders their top priority,” said BOL Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining). “We agree that meeting our region’s energy needs is a priority for further economic development, but the review, permitting, and approval process must be stringent to ensure environmental and safety concerns are addressed and needed mitigation plans are in place.”

Added Legislator Catherine Parker (D-Rye), chair of the BOL Environment & Energy Committee, where the resolution was first passed by BOL members,

“No one should sign off on this project until we know for sure that air quality for Westchester residents will not be affected, and that every conceivable safety measure and emergency contingency plan is in place. The bar for this project has to be at the highest level imaginable. Anything less simply increases the chances of a catastrophe and long-term health risks.”

A chief concern for the BOL members is that the significant risks inherent in the proposed gas pipeline aren’t covered in the usual state and federal review processes for projects as such.

“This particular project definitely calls for a more stringent review,” said Legislator Pete Harckham (D-North Salem). “There will need to be independent assessments and monitoring completed before permitting takes place, all of which should be funded by Spectra, and then continuous monitoring of air, water and land around the pipeline after its built.”

Harckham remarked that his BOL colleagues worry about blowdowns:

— when the gas is removed from the pipeline at various stations for maintenance. One such station is to be situated in Peekskill, where the equipment for a Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) launching and staging area, will be adjacent to a school and playground. In the resolution, the BOL asks for immediate notifications of unplanned blowdowns are given to municipal and County officials, and that health impact assessments for these incidents are made as well.

Susan Van Dolsen, co-founder of Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion (SAPE) and co-chair of Westchester for Change, said, “We thank our pro-active Westchester legislators for protecting us by passing this resolution calling for the imperative measures of a risk assessment, baseline air testing, SEQR, and a Health Impact Assessment to ensure health and safety for Westchester residents.”

Suzannah Glidden, SAPE co-founder and board director of Community Watersheds Clean Water Coalition, stated, “We count on our Westchester legislators’ strenuous advocacy and follow through to make sure all resolution measures are executed before permits are issued on Spectra Energy’s ill-conceived and unacceptably dangerous proposed high-pressure, forty-two-inch diameter Algonquin natural gas pipeline right next to Indian Point.”