Power Vacuum in Albany
Tuesday, the State of New York used the third most electricity ever, according to the Independent System Operator, the entity which coordinates the transfer of power throughout the state and regionally. With no relief in sight to the heat wave in New York City, Con Ed has announced voltage reductions. At the moment, capacity is stretched but appears adequate. The immediate problem is the risk of transformer or feeder breakdown.
Although power generation may be adequate for today, there is a consensus that additional generating capacity will be necessary. In the 1990s, New York substantially deregulated the power business, uncoupling power generation and distribution. The theory was that competition would drive prices down, and would bring fresh capital to the construction of new plants. It’s probably time for a thorough review of how that all worked out.
One step New York took to facilitate new plant construction was the adoption of what is know as Article X, which was intended to consolidate and facilitate the permit process. It immediately became controversial because of a perception that it was being used to shove plants into communities of color less able to muster resources to resist such efforts.
In 2003, Article X expired. Since then the Legislature hasn’t mustered the energy to revise the law. With energy use on the rise, and significant constraints because of climate change concerns, this is an issue that requires thoughtful leadership. Both Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson ran out of juice trying to push the legislature along. A new Governor in January will have another chance. If –and we hope not- there a power failures this summer, that could provide the spark to act.
