Groups battle over future of two upstate N.Y. coal plants

Written by
Jon Campbell
Albany Bureau


ALBANY — The debate over the future of a pair of coal-fired power plants in upstate New York has created an unlikely partnership between a coalition of environmental organizations and New York’s largest business group.

The owners of coal plants in Tompkins and Chautauqua counties have proposed re-powering their facilities with natural gas, a move that could save the struggling power plants from closure by using a cheaper, cleaner fuel.

But the move would come with a significant upfront cost. In the case of the former AES Cayuga plant in Lansing, Tompkins County, the estimated price tag would be between $60 million and $370 million, depending on whether any of the plans are approved by the state Public Service Commission.

In formal comments submitted to the PSC last week, the state Business Council joined with seven environmental and clean energy groups — including the Sierra Club and Earthjustice — to urge the regulators to reject the plans. Essentially, they believe the cost would be too much to ratepayers, and that upgrading transmission lines and improving efficiency to account for the loss of power is a better, more cost-effective option

Read more at http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20130603/NEWS01/306030053/Coal-plants-repower-Tompkins-County