Keep Ratepayer Costs Down
The full cost to convert the coal burning plant to gas-fired is $250-$500 million dollars.
The cost to upgrade the transmission lines as proposed by NYSEG is about $100 million.
You do the math.. Which one will cost electric customers more?
The cost to upgrade the transmission lines as proposed by NYSEG is about $100 million.
You do the math.. Which one will cost electric customers more?
Cayuga Operating Plant has proposed four different "repowering" options to the PSC to convert from burning coal to gas. The costs for these plans range from $60 million (for a very inefficient model, not likely to be chosen) up to $370 million. PLUS there's the $30 million per year x 3 years to keep the old coal burning plant going while constructing the new facility. AND the estimated $90 million to build a new pipeline to bring gas to the plant. This brings the total cost for "repowering" to $250-500 million.
Guess who has to pay for all this? YOU!! The NYSEG/National Grid Customer!! What's more - as the cost of natural gas goes up, your electric costs will go up even more!! These cost increases will be especially difficult for people with lower or fixed incomes and for businesses with heavy energy usage. In contrast, the cost to upgrade the transmission lines and close the plant, as proposed by NYSEG and supported by the Sierra Club, EarthJustice, and the Business Council of NY, will be less than $100 million. Use the webform to the right to tell the Public Service Commission and Governor Cuomo that as a paying NYSEG or National Grid customer, you favor the NYSEG plan to upgrade the transmission lines because it is the cheapest option and will keep your electric rates and surcharges as low as possible. Tell them you do not support converting the plant to natural gas - which is much more expensive. NOTE: we've been told that the financial impact on rate-payers is the most influential factor for the Public Service Commission. You can say other things too - but please be sure to talk about the expense of the conversion and the cost to you, the NYSEG or National Grid customer. |
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