Coalition Calls for Rethinking of Energy Plan

TOWN OF COLUMBIA—A coalition of community-based environmental groups around the state filed comments with the New York Public Service Commission last week, calling for a reconsideration of the PSC’s plan for reducing power plant emissions principally with large-scale renewables.

According to the press release, the coalition is comprised of environmentally-minded people participating in the review of large-scale renewable energy projects around the state. The coalition points to physical constraints on the ability of wind and solar to contribute to carbon emission reductions and energy analysts who project that the electric grid will become less reliable as more intermittent renewables are connected. Backup power plants to ensure grid reliability and extensive infrastructure changes are needed to utilize wind and solar energy, coalition members contend, saying these are not warranted given the environmental damage renewables cause, along with potential health and safety hazards associated with the projects, including their battery storage systems.