ENTERGY: CLOSING DUE TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS. WILL ATTEMPT TO MOVE EMPLOYEES ELSEWHERE IN THE COMPANY.

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. Statement on Closing of Indian Point by Entergy Corporation. January 11, 2017:

Entergy, the owner of Indian Point, which agreed with Governor Andrew Cuomo and signed an agreement to close within four years this past weekend, has issued this statement, which was distributed by the Westchester County Association:

Yesterday, we announced that after more than four decades of Indian Point providing New York State with clean, safe and reliable electricity, we have reached a settlement with New York State. Under the settlement, the State will end its legal challenges, issue the necessary permits and certifications and support the renewal of the operating licenses for the Indian Point Energy Center.

In return, Entergy has agreed to begin preparing for an orderly shutdown of the two generating units at Indian Point in 2020 and 2021. This is earlier than previousl contemplated, but more than 20 years since our purchase of the plant, and close to 15 years since we filed our license renewal application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a 20-year license renewal.

For more than a decade of our ownership, we have understood the unique risk profiles associated with the merchant power business. In recent years, however, this business has faced serious financial challenges resulting from sustained wholesale power price declines and other unfavorable market conditions, forcing us to re-evaluate the long-term viability of our merchant power assets such as Indian Point.

This was a difficult decision for us. We fully recognize the significant impact on people–our employees and the people in communities around the plants who depend on us and have supported us. Words alone can not fully express the extent of our appreciation to the nearly 1,000  employees at Indian Point. We intend to treat our employees fairly and to help those interested in seeking other opportunities to relocate within the Entergy system. This is just one part of our commitment to them and our appreciation for their years of dedicated and professional service.

Without opposition from New York State, we will continue to pursue license renewal from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for both of Indian Point’s generating units for the remaining operating years and will work on plans to help mitigate the economic impact of the shutdown on our employees and the surrounding community to the best of our ability.

We remain grateful for the support we have received from the local community and its institutions, and will continue to be active members of the community for years to come. Bringing an end to the lengthy and costly litigation — to provide certainty to all our stakeholders and to provide time for an orderly transition and shudown — was also an important factor in our decision. With a clear path to license renewal, we cancontinue to focus on excellence and operate these units safely and reliably until we fulfill our final commitments.”

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ECONEIGHBORS–GEDNEY ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP — ISSUES STATEMENT TO MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL ON THE NEW FASNY SITE PLAN– DECLARING PARCEL A NOT ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE SITE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. JANUARY 11, 2017:

Dear Mayor Roach and Council Members Hunt-Robinson, Kirkpatrick, Krolian, Lecuona, Martin, and Smayda,

We are writing concerning the French American School of New York (FASNY) Alternate Plan Application, and in particular, the issue of whether the proposed site, Parcel A, is an environmentally sensitive site (ESS).

We have reviewed the submission of Steven Danzer, Ph.D., dated November 29, 2016, the letter of Howard Avrutine, Esq., counsel for the Gedney Association dated November 30, 2016, and the submission of the North Street Association dated December 15, 2015.

We are in complete agreement with the views and opinions expressed in these submissions, and believe that Parcel A is an ESS for all of the reasons set forth in these submissions.

We are a complete loss to understand why the City would consider reversing the designation of Parcel A as an ESS that the Council made in Finding B-1 of the December, 2013 Environmental Findings.

FASNY was well aware of this designation back in December 2013 and it did not voice any objection at that time, so we strongly object to FASNY’s attempt to reverse this Finding nearly three years later.

We also believe that such an action is contrary to sound public policy with respect to protection of the environment.

We also are very troubled that FASNY has ignored the provisions of the Municipal Code that define an ESS as one within 100 feet of the watercourse on the property of Westchester Hills Golf Club.

There can be no rational dispute that Parcel A is an ESS based upon Mr. Danzer’s report and the express language of the relevant sections of the Municipal Code.  We also agree with Mr. Danzer that Parcel A itself contains wetlands, so that it meets the definition of an ESS.

Finally, we believe that the FASNY matter poses important policy issues that go beyond the merits of FASNY’s application.

It is readily apparent that FASNY is seeking to delist Parcel A as an ESS in order to avoid the supermajority vote requirement with respect to its application for a special permit and site plan approval.

Our City enacted strong environmental protection laws nearly forty ago for the benefit of the residents of White Plains. We strongly disapprove of any attempt by a property owner to circumvent these protections to bypass the supermajority requirement, and urge you to reject this ploy of FASNY when you vote on a resolution concerning this issue.

Sincerely,

EcoNeighbors

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GUN SHOW BAN SUPPORTERS RALLY ON STEPS OF MICHAELIAN BUILDING IN 19 DEGREE WEATHER. LEGISLATION PASSES

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Action at the Westchester County Board of Legislators Monday evening: the County Board passed the Gun Show Ban on County Property by 9-8

 

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR from Peter Katz and The Westchester County Board of Legislators January 9, 2017:

Activists calling for a ban on gun shows on property owned by Westchester County, while also calling for an end to gun violence and tighter gun control laws, braved the 19 degree temperature in White Plains Monday evening for a candlelight vigil on the steps of the County Office Building.
Several members of the clergy spoke, along with event organizers. The vigil lasted about a half hour, then the group went inside for the meeting of the Board of Legislators which was expected to pass the ban on gun shows for which the group was calling.
County Executive Rob Astorino, however, was expected to veto the bill in the coming days if it was passed by the legislature. It would then be up to legislators to override the veto. Some legislators attended the vigil. Also seen was Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Paul Feiner. A gun show is scheduled to be held at the Westchester County Center in White Plains later this month.
The County Legislature voted 9-8 to pass the Gun Ban:

Act #9417, which prohibits participation in a gun show on County Property, passed this evening by a vote of 9 to 8. Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers), the original sponsor of the bill, was joined by his Democratic colleagues in the passage of this measure which was first proposed after the tragedy which took place at Sandy Hook.

“The passage of this Act is a victory for the taxpayers of Westchester County. As I have been saying since I first introduced this measure in 2010, the use of County owned facilities to host shows which promote weapons, as well as other various symbols of violence and hatred, is not what we as a County should be doing,” said Legislator Jenkins. “To profit from this is just not the business Westchester residents want to be in. I hope all of my colleagues as well as the County Executive see the support this Act has through those who have called, emailed, tweeted, Facebook posted, written, and attended here this evening and join in its passage and implementation,” added Jenkins.

“It was moving to witness the support this measure has, from the petition with over 5000 signatures to countless number of messages my colleagues and I received since the January gun and knife show was announced,” said Legislator Catherine Parker(D-Rye). “I was proud to be a part of this grassroots movement and vote yes on this important Act. Our County facilities are not intended to be used to invite dangerous weapons into our backyards,” continued Parker.

The Act will now be sent to the County Executive for his signature.

“I do not believe that County government should be promoting, encouraging, aiding and abetting the proliferation of guns in our community by using taxpayers’ buildings for guns shows,” said Legislator Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon). “We must take a stand against the proliferation of guns in our community. These guns are not manufactured in our city. They are often purchased out-of-state at gun shops and gun shows with weak gun control laws and procedures. Westchester County should not be in the business of aiding and abetting the peddling of dangerous weapons,” concluded Williams.

 

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CONSTELLATION NEW ENERGY WILL NEGOTIATE NEW RATES FOR SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER IN MID 2018 AS FIRST TWO YEAR CONTRACT ENDS.

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. By John F. Bailey January 9, 2017:

According to a representative of Coned Solutions this morning, (contacted by a customer of ConEd Solutions), Constellation New Energy, Inc will renegotiate the Clean Energy rate and basic rates with the City of White Plains in May-June of 2018.

The representative said that Constellation has access to more clean energy producing sources such as wind and solar and nuclear power that may result in lowering the Clean Energy rate currently charged White Plains customers (7.76 cents per kwh), however the rate would be negotiated based on the highest demand rate expected, and other factors.

It is unclear if the same rate will be charged  in mid 2018 for all 24 cities, or different rates would be charged to all 24 cities, based on each city usage. The Media Relations Department of Constellation is seeking to clarify this question at WPCNR request.

Sustainable Westchester has been contacted by WPCNR as to whether Sustainable Westchester knew when it selected ConEd Solutions that Consolidated Edison was engaged in preparations to divest the ConEd Solutions subsidiary.

Bob McGee, Director of Media Relations for Consolidated Edision , told WPCNR the selling of ConEd Solutions was “strictly a business alignment strategy,” and had nothing to do with ConEd Solutions capacity to generate clean energy-created electricity. He deferred comment to Constellation New Energy, Inc.

In July of 2016, WPCNR notes based on Con Edison information on electricity used that an all-time annual high was reached in July 2016, the first year of the ConEd Solutions contract with Sustainable Westchester, (which began in June, 2016). Sustainable Westchester is the group that acquired the customers of 24 Westchester cities as a customer base  for Sustainable Westchester to supply electricity based on the cities collective conglomerate purchasing power.

WPCNR called the White Plains Mayor’s Office to ask whether, when the new Sustainable Westchester ConEd Solutions (now a subsidiary of Constellation New Energy) green rates and basic rates would be one rate for all cities in the consortium of 24 cities, or whether White Plains would have a specific rate. So for today there has been not answer from the Mayor’s Office. The Mayor’s Office was also asked whether White Plains knew or was told ConEd Solutions would be changing hands or in the process of being divested by Consolidatied Edison.

In a news release of July 27, 2017, when Constellation announced the acqusition, they said that “The terms of the agreement were not released.” And to this date they have not been made public.

On the ConEd Solutions website, Constellation New Energy explains their acquisition this way:

“4. What is the strategic and financial rationale for this acquisition (of ConEd Solutions)?

As of closing, ConEdison Solutions had longstanding customer relationships and a network of channel partners across 13 states plus the District of Columbia. ConEdison Solutions served 559,000 mass market and 2,500 C&I retail electricity and natural gas supply customers, making its retail energy organization a perfect strategic fit for Constellation that creates opportunities to reach more customers and grow the business.

  • This acquisition provided Constellation with the unique opportunity to grow the retail business and enhance our strategy of matching power generation with customer load.
  • This transaction allowed us to leverage our scale to remain competitive in the current market environment and drive value through opportunistic, targeted growth.
  • ConEdison Solutions’ retail business had strong customer relationships, which enhances renewal opportunities.
  • The acquisition scaled our business in a competitive environment.

5. What benefits might I see from the new company in the future?

Our customers will benefit from the combined organization’s ability to offer long-term contracts, competitive prices and Constellation’s broad array of energy products and services. Increased scale  is expected to bring more innovation and clean energy supply offerings to more customers.

6. Will customers and coordinators of municipal aggregation programs be impacted?

Participants in municipal aggregation programs will continue to be served under the terms of their existing agreements.

11. Will I still be a customer? Will my rates, contract terms, or account information change?

Until the integration is complete in your market, you will remain a customer of ConEdison Solutions. If you have received your invoice from and made payments to ConEdison Solutions in the past, you will continue to do so. If you have been billed by and made payments to your utility that will not change.

No changes are being made to a customer’s contract term, price, or terms and conditions of service as a result of this change.

13. Can I now change my rate or terms or cancel my ConEdison Solutions contract?

No. Current contracts are still legally binding. If you would like to discuss additional options, please contact your existing sales representative or Customer Care.

  • Your current contract will not be affected in any way. Your contract terms remain exactly the same. You do not need to take any action.
  • All of the same Terms of Service from your original contract with ConEdison Solutions still apply. [Note – You will still be charged an Early Termination Fee, if applicable, for cancelling a fixed rate plan by switching providers before your contract end date.]
  • If you are currently on a fixed rate, your rate will continue to be determined by the contract you signed with ConEdison Solutions. This transaction does not cause an increase in your rates.
  • Variable rate plan customers will continue to have prices that may fluctuate from month to month.

 

 

 

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ConEdison Solutions — Sustainable Westchester “Go To” Energy Supplier sold to Exelon, international energy supplier after 6 months. serving Sustainable Westchester customers

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. JANUARY 8, 2017 UPDATED January 9, 2017:

ConEdison Solutions, the default supplier selected by the Sustainable Westchester power consortium of 24 Westchester County cities and towns, including White Plains, has announced to Sustainable Westchester Customers it is being purchased by Exelon Corporation.

Exelon the nation’s leading competitive energy provider which, in 2015 had revenues of $34.5 Billion. It reports it is “one of the nation’s cleanest and lowest cost power generation fleets.” ConEd Solutions has $13 billion in annual revenues and $46 Billion in assets, according to the Constellation news release in September. The acquisition was also announced in a news release of July 27, in which it said “the terms were not disclosed.”

The purchase comes to Sustainable Westchester customers comes six months after ConEdison Solutions started supplying electricity to the 24 Westchester cities and towns. The purchase was announced to White Plains and Westchester customers in a letter received by customers above on Saturday.

However, the sale was announced by Constellation New Energy as completed in a news release September 1.

As of February, customers now supplied by ConEdison Solutions will receive a bill from an Exelon subsidiary, Constellation New Energy, Inc. The energy rate you are now paying through the Sustainable Westchester program will remain the same.

ConEd Solutions and its 85 employees serves over 560,000 “commercial, industrial sector, and residential customers in 12 states and the District of Columnia.” Constellation serves 2.5 million residential and business customers throughout the country.

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WHITE PLAINS WEEK–BEGINS 16TH YEAR OF NEWS THAT AFFECTS YOU — SEE THE JAN. 6 SHOW ON THE INTERNET INSTANTLY

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YOUR LOCAL NEWS EXPERTS: PETER KATZ, JOHN BAILEY, JIM BENEROFE
BEGINNING 16TH YEAR ON WHITE PLAINS AND WESTCHESTER TELEVISION

AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE NOW AT

or
WITH THE ONLY REPORT OF ITS KIND
TRUMP IN TRANSITION
PLUS
WHO WILL BE THE NEW HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC CITY COMMITTEE
THE GUN SHOW SHOWDOWN MONDAY NIGHT
THE WESTMORELAND APARTMENTS APPROVAL
THE NURSERY ORDINANCE APPROVAL PHASING OUT NOISY, TRUCKY NEIGHBOR IRRITATING ORGANIC MANUFACTURING
IAHD COMES TO WHITE PLAINS
THE JFK AIRPORT $10 BILLION MAKEOVER
AND MORE
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NOW ON THE INTERNET ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD: CORA GREENBERG, WESTCHESTER CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION ON GUN ISSUES, TEEN SENTENCING, YOUTH JOB READINESS

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NOW ON THE INTERNET

ON A SPECIAL

PEOPLE TO BE HEARD

YOU’VE GOT

CORA GREENBERG

JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF “THE CHILDREN’S LOBBY”

WESTCHESTER CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION

ON

THE GUN SHOW BAN CONTROVERSY

FIREARMS AS A CHILDREN’S HEALTH ISSUE

ELIMINATING CHARGING TEENAGERS UNDER 18 WITH FELONIES

MOVING FELONY OFFENSES COMMITTED BY TEENS TO FAMILY COURT

THE ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES

PREPARING TEENAGERS FOR THE WORKPLACE

AND MORE

SEE THIS TIMELY SHOW ON YOUTUBE INSTANTLY AT

https://youtu.be/axEz0lqRbB0

or at

or 
www.wpcommunitymedia.org

 

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Republican Legislators Offer Compromise to Save Gun Show at the County Center: Run Gun Show with Attorney General “Recommendations”

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. January 7, 2017:

Friday, the Board of Legislators’ (BOL) Republicans submitted Legislation that would require all gun show operators who stage a gun show at any location in Westchester County to adopt the operational guidelines recommended by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Procedures this proposed law will require are:

1)  All guns brought into the gun show by private sellers are tagged so that, upon exiting, the operator can determine if guns were sold and that a proper background check was performed.

2)  Post conspicuous signs throughout the shows that give written notice to all dealers and lay out in online promotional materials that makes clear that New York State law requires that a National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) must be completed prior to all firearm sales or transfers, and it’s a crime not to do so.

3) Inform all gun show staff of the requirements of posting signs and conducting NICS and provide access to a dealer who is authorized to conduct a NICS at cost.

4) Limit the number of access doors at the show so that sellers and buyers have to enter and exit through an area where the NICS procedures can be monitored.

5) Use reasonable means, including police patrols, to prevent illegal gun sales outside of the building, including the parking lot, and have law enforcement at gun show to watch for illegal sales.

 

BOL Minority Leader, Legislator John Testa (R) Peekskill, says the Republicans proposed legislation is offered as a compromise to legislation that would ban gun shows at the Westchester County Center.  “We have proposed a common-sense approach that memorializes the guidelines set forth by the Attorney General without marginalizing or stigmatizing the thousands of lawful gun owners in Westchester County.”  Testa said.  “Simply banning gun shows at the County Center still allows, in fact, encourages gun show operators to find private venues to hold gun shows where there is no opportunity for oversight by the County.  The legislation we have submitted extends the Attorney General’s very specific and common sense guidelines to every gun show that would be held at any location thereby insuring safety and accountability for gun show operators in all of our communities across Westchester.”

BOL Vice Chairman Jim Maisano worked closely with the Westchester County Attorney in crafting the compromise legislation.  “We’ve taken great care to write legislation that protects the constitutional rights of sportsmen, hunters and other lawful gun owners, while ensuring that all gun transactions and acquisitions that take place at gun shows in Westchester County follow the highest safety and security protocols. If our law passes, Westchester County will have the strongest gun show regulations in New York State.”

 

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County Will Vote January 9 on Banning Gun Shows From County Property: Boykin

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Benjamin Boykin, County Legislator 5th District. January 5, 2017:

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Legislation Labor/Parks/Planning/Housing, and Public Safety & Social Services committees have voted to recommend that the full Board of Legislators hold a vote on ID# 9417, an act amending the Laws of Westchester County to prohibit participation in a gun show on County-owned property. This Act was first proposed by Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) in 2010 and has since been sponsored by every member of the Democratic caucus.

This Vote will take place on Monday, January 9th, 7pm, on the 8th Floor of the Westchester County Office Building, 148 Martine Ave. in White Plains. While the bill has moved through the process successfully so far, we need your help to get to the finish line.

I believe that the use of County funds and facilities to host a gun show is not in the best interests of the residents of Westchester. A ban on gun shows at the County Center, where one is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, was County policy from 1999-2010.

County Executive Astorino lifted the ban upon taking office, and a gun show was held in 2012, but however a subsequent gun show was cancelled following the tragedy that took place in Sandy Hook. The plan for the 2017 show was only made public in the days during the pre-holiday lull even though the show had been scheduled for months.

Please contact your friends and family to let them know of this important vote. Make sure everyone you know who supports this cause makes their voice heard by contacting the County Executive and their County Legislator and by attending the vote next Monday. Together, we can say enough is enough and take a strong stand against the proliferation of guns in our community.
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