Re-Powering Northport

Filed under: News,Northport,Politics |
Andrew Raia

Andrew Raia

A Legislative Op-Ed by Assemblyman Andrew Raia

Plans to construct a 752-megawatt plant in Yaphank have been in the news over the past few months and I cannot fathom as to how we arrived at this moment. I find it unconscionable that we are even considering a plan to build an additional plant. Constructing a plant that will cost anywhere from $1.09 to $3 billion, without first considering other viable power options already in existence here on Long Island, is unconscionable.

Long Island is at a point where our ridiculously high energy rates are holding back our economic potential and stifling our families. Building Caithness II guarantees a rate increase of at the very least 3 percent, when in reality, we will probably see an increase of 10 percent. Why do we have to foot the bill for a multi-billion dollar power plant when the Northport Power Plant is currently operating at half capacity? With only two of its four boilers operational, the already-existing Northport Power Plant isn’t even fully operational. Instead of building a brand new facility, let’s modernize and retrofit the Northport Power Plant to meet future energy demands on the north shore.

Right now, running on 1950s technology, the Northport Power Plant is one of the most antiquated, inefficient, and environmentally-damaging plants on the eastern seaboard. Additionally, LIPA is citing a predicted increase in demand for power usage over the next few years as rationale for the Caithness II site. The disregard for the benefits of re-powering the Northport Power Plant, both economically and environmentally, speaks to its lack of vision and true intentions for Long Island’s future. Refurbishment of the Northport Power Plant could save ratepayers the billions of dollars, as well as create a plethora of good paying local jobs. We could adequately fulfill the predicted need for additional power using an updated, efficient, and environmentally-sound power plant.

Additionally, once the plant is fully operational, we could see an end to another major issue facing LIPA – the tax certiorari issue with the Town of Huntington.  The Town of Huntington is open to agreements to solve the tax assessment dispute, and has displayed a clear willingness to work with LIPA on numerous occasions.  I believe it is unrealistic for LIPA to begin a new process of pilot payments in a place like Yaphank, especially when the Town of Huntington is more than willing to compromise on the tax assessment issue if the Northport Power Plant receives the renovations it so desperately needs.

I implore LIPA to focus its efforts on a more economical and sensible project to restore the Northport Power Plant.  LIPA would be doing the ratepayers and the people of Long Island a great disservice if it chooses to pursue its current plan.

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One Response to Re-Powering Northport

  1. This is a very complex matter. The long and the short of it is oil fired power plants are going the way of the dinosaurs that made the oil they use. The fuel of the future is natural gas, mostly because of the fracking boom out west. While there are construction costs involved in the building of Caithiness II, the fuel cost savings over the next 30-40 years using abundant, DOMESTIC natural gas will more than off-set the up front costs for Long Island. Much of the dwindling supply of #6 fuel oil LIPA uses is foreign. And under scrutiny from the EPA. Northport power station is antiquated, and will most likely get a tax reduction because of it’s age (BTW, despite the Town’s assertion, it is a tax reduction, NOT A LIPA TAX HIKE!)
    Petrone should have accepted the 50% reduction of taxes over 10 years to avoid the back tax penalties and legal fees that LIPA will now get if they win. All Huntingtonians are bearing the cost of the Town’s legal challenge to the tune of $1.4 million so far, and the residents of Northport/E. Northport schools will be the primary recipients. Maybe they should bear the cost of the legal fees?

    matt harris
    July 1, 2014 9:57 am at 9:57 am

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