Towns petition for energy alternatives

By Jay Wrolstad
 
The towns of Caroline and Dryden this month approved separate, but similar, resolutions petitioning the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to consider cost-competitive, non-fossil fuel alternatives when evaluating proposals from utilities operating in the state that seek to expand natural gas infrastructure.
 
The local measures state that a $40 million rate case proposed by NYSEG includes the $17 million Freeville-Lansing Reinforcement project that runs through the Village of Freeville and towns of Dryden and Lansing, and the $350,000 Boiceville Expansion pipeline project along Route 79 in the Town of Caroline.
 
NYSEG contends that both natural gas pipeline projects are designed to address existing peak demand, as well as up to 20 years of growth in demand, the resolutions state, noting that the PSC in 2012 encouraged natural gas expansion because it would create jobs and provide cheaper, cleaner heating fuel than propane or fuel oil.
 
But the two towns, both of which are Climate Smart Communities, believe that climate change is an urgent public issue that must be addressed by reducing the demand for natural gas, and by creating incentives to cut greenhouse gas emissions while increasing energy efficiency improvements and the use of renewable energy.
 
The municipalities further note that Tompkins County and New York State have both set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and that expanding the markets for natural gas will hinder efforts to reach those goals. The resolutions state, “…for municipalities and the state to be successful in reaching their GHG reduction goals we must be reducing—not expanding—our use of fossil fuels…and over the next 20 years, expensive new natural gas infrastructure will become stranded assets for which utility customers will continue to pay.”
 
Before undertaking pipeline expansion or replacement projects, the resolutions state, utilities must identify non-pipeline alternatives such as energy efficiency, electric heat pumps and demand response that can meet reliability needs while saving consumers money and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Dryden supervisor Jason Leifer says that the town’s resolution compliments the greenhouse gas emissions reduction plans and goals established by the state and the county.
 
“The Public Service Commission regulates projects larger than the proposed West Dryden Pipeline, such as the Constitution Pipeline, so this resolution did not have a direct effect upon the proposed West Dryden Pipeline,” he says. “However, it does compliment the review process for local projects. This is because for locally regulated infrastructure projects, like the Dryden pipeline, the same question may need to be answered as part of the SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) process if a full Environmental Impact Statement is required by the lead agency.”
 
The hope is that utilities would look to increase investment in renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels, he adds.
 
As for the Dryden pipeline project, Leifer says NYSEG is working on a SEQRA analysis for what may become an application for a Special Use Permit for the pipeline. As part of this SEQRA process NYSEG’s engineers have started test boring into the soil on certain properties along the proposed pipeline route.
 
“No application has been made to the Town of Dryden for this pipeline, but when one is made to any of the affected stakeholders the Town of Dryden will be looking to be the lead agency on the pipeline because the bulk of the mileage for this pipeline is in the Town of Dryden,” he says.
 
“The purpose of our resolution is to get the PSC commissioner to set new guidelines for utilities, to first figure out other ways to improve energy efficiency before extending gas pipelines, Town of Caroline council member Irene Weiser says. “There are other ways to meet heating demands rather than invest in pipelines, which takes us in the wrong direction. We need to think of the future and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
 
For developers, that includes new technologies such as heat pumps and improved insulation in new buildings, she says. “Greater energy efficiency in construction is means a better return on investment and is better for the environment.”
 
Copies of the resolutions will be sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, PSC Commissioner Audrey Zibelman, State Senator James L. Seward, State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, the Tompkins County Legislature, the Town of Dryden Town Board, the Town of Lansing Town Board, the Village of Freeville Trustees and other state and local officials.