Who’s Got the Power?

The New York State Independent System Operator (ISO), issued a report that warned of California-like rolling blackouts and steep price hikes unless new power plants boost supply by about 30% over four years. What is needed, the report said, is up to 3,000 more megawatts of energy for NYC alone. One megawatt is enough power for 1,000 homes, according to the Daily News. "New York is headed toward a very serious situation unless it acts immediately," said William Museler, president of ISO.

A light flickers in California and New York City public officials begin to line up in a row. Plans are afoot to expand the 14th Street/ East River power plant, and build, "under the radar of public oversight," floating plants in working-class waterfront areas like Sunset Park, Long Island City and Hunts Point. When health and air pollution concerns are raised, the official response is that people must be ready to live with the consequences of their own need for electricity. But in lit-up Midtown, where a Con Ed power plant is being sold for luxury housing, conservation steps are not even being spoken about, and no low-interest loan program is in place in New York State for demand-reducing, clean solar power.

Coalitions are forming to fight the latest assault. One is the Communities United for Responsible Energy (CURE), Call Eddie Bautista, (212) 244-4664. Reprinted with permission from Urban Outdoors, www.treebranch.com