Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)
Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) says he has no problem supporting the RePowering of two power plants in his congressional district, even though it would come at a higher price for rate payers.
During his weekly conference call earlier this week, the corning Republican was asked how he is able to justify his support for the conversion of both the NRG Power Plant in Dunkirk and the Cayuga Power Plant in Lansing, NY. Reed says that while there would be an increase for rate payers, the alternative is significantly higher property taxes for thousands of residents in his district.
“For the people that are going to be directly impacted by it – Are you willing to absorb a 30 to 40 percent tax increase on your real property tax bill?” Reed asked. “And does that put us in a position to be competitive – in regards to citing businesses and to bring in businesses that need that power? How are they going to absorb those real property taxes, as well as the loss of the reliability of power that is associated with the moth balling of that facility?”
Currently, the state Public Service Commission is considering whether or not the state should spend nearly half a billion dollars in the PowerUpWNY program, which would allow the plants in Dunkirk and Lansing to convert from a coal-burning plant to a natural gas burning plant.
Supporters say the upgrades are crucial to help keep the local governments and school districts of both communities afloat. Critics claim the conversion is simply trading one dirty power source for another and would help to open the door to the controversial practice of horitzontal hydrofracking in New York State, which is currently under a moratorium.
Residents now have until August 16 to comment on the plan at the state PSC website. The PSC is expected to make a decision on whether or not to support the repowering proposal by late August or September.
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