Huntington Station, NY - New York State Assembly candidate Joe Dujmic today called upon the Long Island Power Authority to release the full details of its recently announced Amended and Restated Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with National Grid, and delay implementation of the agreement until it can be coordinated with the utility's 2010 Request for Proposals for new power generation.
Dujmic also said that the long-term goal for LIPA should be to "maximize the use of renewable, Green Power sources."
Transparency and Full Details Needed
"An agreement of this magnitude deserves full transparency, with adequate time for public scrutiny and analysis by elected officials and ratepayer advocacy groups," said Dujmic.
"Right now, all we have is a LIPA press release saying that the agreement will lead to lower costs. The ratepayers - including small businesses that are struggling under some of the highest electricity costs in the nation - deserve the full details before being locked into a 15-year agreement."
Dujmic also said that the agreement needs the "full and intense scrutiny" of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) especially in light of recent allegations brought by the Village of Port Jefferson against National Grid of fraudulent practices and illegal market manipulation.
Coordinate with RFP
Dujmic said the long-term PSA should also be delayed until LIPA makes a determination on the Request for Proposals (RFP) for new power sources, issued in August of 2010.
"A comprehensive, long-term plan to meet Long Island's electricity needs is essential, but all of the components of that plan should be fully coordinated and integrated to ensure that power is supplied in the most affordable and environmentally responsible manner," he said.
This should include a heavy emphasis on repowering plants with combined cycle technologies that can cut emissions in half, Dujmic added.
Maximize Green Power, Alternative Sources
Citing an independent study released last month which said that 100-percent of the Island's energy could come from green, renewable sources by 2030, Dujmic said LIPA's long-term plans also need to fully maximize green sources such as solar, wind and alternatives to fossil fuels.
"Green power is not just the right thing to do environmentally, it also provides an enormous opportunity to enhance economic development by encouraging alternative energy producers here on Long Island," he said.
Dujmic has also proposed a series of grants and aid to learning institutions that provide training in "Green Jobs" technologies in order to provide the local workforce necessary to support next generation power producers, and has also proposed offering grants to out-of-state Green Technology companies seeking to relocate to New York, and provide local Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) with specific funds for Green Jobs programs.
"With the number of high-tech research institutions on Long Island, we are uniquely poised to be a region of New York State that can support alternative energy producers," Dujmic said.
Joe Dujmic (pronounce Dudge-mick) is a private practice attorney and small business owner based in the Town of Huntington. A graduate of St. Johns University (criminal justice) and New York Law School (juris doctor) the native Long Islander announced his candidacy in February of this year in the 10th Assembly District.
His candidacy has been endorsed by: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; U.S. Congressman Steve Israel; Legislator William Spencer, MD; Legislator Steve Stern; Legislator Lou D'Amaro; Legislator DuWayne Gregory; Legislator Kate Browning; former Legislator Jon Cooper; New York State United Teachers' (NYSUT); Long Island Federation of Labor/ New York State AFL-CIO; New York State Public Employees Federation; New York State Troopers PBA; Suffolk County Probation Officers; Association of Municipal Employees; New York City Corrections Officers' Benevolent Association; NARAL Pro-Choice New York; Communications Workers of America Local 1108; 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East; Bridge and Tunnel Officers; and the New York League of Conservation Voters.