STATE SHOULD NOT INVEST IN INNEFFECTIVE, DIRTY TECHNOLOGY IN TIME OF FISCAL CRISIS
(ALBANY, NY)—Environmental groups and others today criticized Governor David Paterson's support for a proposed coal-burning power plant for Jamestown, New York. The Governor announced plans for increased state investment of up to $6 million in the "clean coal" facility this morning. Earlier this year, the state earmarked in the budget only $400,000 for the Jamestown project.
The groups criticized the Governor for increasing state investment in unproven technology during a time of fiscal crisis and endorsing the Jamestown plant prior to the completion of required studies. The groups include the American Lung Association, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Advocates of New York, NYPIRG, Sierra Club – Atlantic Chapter, and the Western New York Climate Action Coalition.
"This power plant is ill-advised from both environmental and economic points of view and does not deserve to go forward," said Walter Simpson, the co-founder of the Western New York Climate Action Coalition and leader of a coalition of groups opposed to the plant. "By acting before the completion of the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, the Governor is putting the cart before the horse. He is also acting before an $800,000 New York State Energy Research & Development Authority-funded study to examine the geological and legal issues associated with carbon capture and storage in the Southern Tier region has begun, let alone been completed. The State would be far better served if the Governor waited for these studies prior to making a decision to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on this project."
Opponents to the Jamestown project are concerned that state funding would require additional public expenditures in future. These could include subsidies to cover the extra power production costs associated with this plant, given that as much as 30 percent of its output will be required to operate the oxy-fire carbon capture and storage technology.
This substantial "parasitic load" will increase the already high cost of electricity produced by this plant by as much as 40 percent. Additional public subsidies will be required if the state indemnifies the project and agrees to cover liability issues associated with permanent carbon capture and storage. These subsidies could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars over the 50 year operating lifespan of the plant.
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