LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]


Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Critics urge LIPA to scrap wind farm plan 

With a report from LIPA about the financial feasibility of its off-shore wind-energy project due out in weeks, two state senators are calling on the authority to scuttle the costly plans immediately.

At the same time, one of the major backers of the wind farm, Gordian Raacke, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island, said the near $700-million price tag to construct the wind farm is too steep, and he recommended the authority “shop around” for a better price.

“When I heard about the $700-million price tag, I was shocked,” he said. “I said, ‘This is getting ridiculous. I’m all for renewable energy, but I’m not willing to pay an unreasonable amount of money for it.”

State Sens. Owen Johnson (R-West Babylon), chairman of the finance committee, and Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. (R-Merrick), chairman of the consumer protection committee, have scheduled a news conference at Jones Beach today to urge LIPA to end the plan for 40 off-shore wind turbines off those waters because of the cost.

“It should be stopped immediately,” Johnson said. “It’s only a bill for ratepayers and ratepayers can’t afford it.”

Johnson accused LIPA of neglecting its mission to reduce electric rates “under the guise of a financial scam of protecting the environment.”

LIPA chief executive Richard Kessel issued a statement yesterday saying, “I certainly respect and value the opinions of Senators Johnson and Fuschillo,” and noting the study he commissioned will “help address their concerns.” The study will contrast LIPA contractor FPL Energy’s estimated project costs against those of other such projects globally.

“When completed, that evaluation will be released to help guide any public discussions and future decisions regarding the offshore project,” Kessel said. LIPA noted it has reduced electric rates over the past year.

Concerns about the cost of the wind farm arose after a series of reports in Newsday revealed the previously undisclosed, and escalating, construction cost of the project – from an initial estimate of $356 million to $650 million last fall to $698 million in December.

Some have suggested the costs, which would translate to power at more than double or even triple that of standard power, leaves LIPA with little choice but to shelve the project.

“These grandiose, largely symbolic projects that place an onerous burden on ratepayers are unsustainable and will be rejected,” Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone said yesterday.

LIPA chairman Kevin Law, who sources say has been leaning against the project because of escalating costs, wasn’t available for comment.

Raacke of RELI, noting wind power is generally among the least expensive renewable energy sources, said the $700 million price tag “doesn’t reflect on the value of wind power as a good valid solution for Long Island ⦠LIPA needs to look a little further.”

BY MARK HARRINGTON
mark.harrington@newsday.com

August 8, 2007

newsday.com

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon