Upgrade Transmission Lines
The issue of what to do with the Cayuga Plant centers on the need for a reliable source of electricity, especially for users such as the Nucor steel plant in Auburn. This is particularly a problem on hot summer days.
THERE IS NO GOOD REASON FOR THE CONVERSION: Since the use of coal has made the Cayuga Plant financially non-competitive, the owners are proposing to keep the plant open and convert it to run on natural gas. This conversion will be very expensive (up to $500,000,000) and will require building an 18 mile pipeline to bring natural gas to the plant. In addition, if the price of natural gas rises, as many expect it to do, the plant could again become non-competitive. BUILDING NEW TRANSMISSION LINES MAKES MORE SENSE: NYSEG has submitted an analysis of this possible conversion and have stated that the real problem is not a lack of electrical supply but rather that of transmission. They recommend that a new power line be constructed and an old one be upgraded. The cost will be a fraction of the cost of the most efficient conversion of the plant. If this upgrade is done there will be no need for the Cayuga Plant. WHAT IS BETTER OR OUR FUTURE? As we look to the future and plan for a move to renewable energy resources, it is clear that the electrical grid will need to be upgraded, eventually including a smart grid. Increasing our fossil fuel infrastructure and dependency by converting the plant to burning gas is expensive and moves us in the wrong direction. Upgrading the electrical grid instead is cheaper, better for the environment, and begins a process of enabling us to use renewable energy resources effectively. PLEASE 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 upgrading the electrical grid because it is cheaper, better for the environment, and begins a process of enabling us to use renewable energy resources effectively. NOTE: we've been told that the financial impact on rate-payers is the factor that is most influential with 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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