DE’s wind-power debate has implications for NJ

This post was updated on Februray 20.

The battle over a proposed 150-turbine windfarm off Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach intensified Saturday as the president of Delmarva Power published an op-ed letter in the Wilmington News Journal attacking Bluewater Wind project as too costly.

The outcome of the debate has implications for New Jersey which also is preparing to consider proposals for ocean wind farms. Neighboring Pennsylvania is ahead of both states in wind-energy development.

“Fifty million dollars to $70 million per year for 25 years — well over a billion dollars — this is what is at stake in this critical issue for our customers, ” wrote Gary Stockbridge.

The Delmarva executive said his company is seeking proposals from 20 regional wind energy developers and expects those bids will be some $50 million less, per year, than Bluewater Wind’s offshore proposal.

“There is only one reason to rush into a 25-year contract for $5.6 billion that will not even start for five years, ” he wrote, “a fear that the alternatives will present a far more attractive proposal.”

Stockbridge contends that Delaware has explored only a single renewable solution–the Bluewater Wind offshore proposal.

The Bluewater project also is the subject of a new round of hearings in the Delaware State Senate which are expected to run through early March.
More than 100 attended a hearing on February 7 at which Delaware Audubon Society Conservation Chairman Nicholas A. DiPasquale accused committee chairman Harris B. McDowell, III of “trying to derail the offshore wind energy project” and open a debate over green energy alternatives, such as cheaper land-based wind turbines.
But the meeting also attracted critics of the wind-power project, including University  of Delaware Engineering Professor Charles Boncelet who testified that offshore wind turbines would still require conventional fuel backup and would drive up consumer costs.
The Delaware debate is no doubt being monitored by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine’s administration which also has expressed an interest in offshore wind projects. The pace of that development has been slower in the Garden State primarily because the NJ Board of Public Utilities wants to get a handle on the financial nuances of such a project and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is commissioning studies, in advance of public debate, to address the inevitable questions about the effects of wind turbine operations on birds and ocean life.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Rendell saw the advantages of wind energy early in his first term of office. He helped woo Gamesa Corp., a major Spanish wind turbine manufacturer, to the Commonwealth where it’s building a manufacturing plant for wind turbine generator blades in Ebensburg, Cambria County. That project will involve up to 500 construction jobs and create more than 200 permanent manufacturing positions.
Gamesa also has decided to locate its U.S. headquarters and East Coast development in Philadelphia. In all, the facilities will combine for a $40 million investment in the state.
Gamesa has worked out 600 megawatts’ worth of agreements to sell wind-generated power to Pennsylvania utilities, with a goal of reaching 1,000 megawatts, enough to power more than 300,000 homes.
Numerous on-land wind farms built across Pennsylvania in recent years with state funding incentives already account for a total of 129 megawatts, with another 84 megawatts scheduled to come on line within the next year.

Care to share your views on the Delaware debate or any other aspect of wind energy? Just click on the “comment” line below and have at it!

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Big alternative energy vote ahead in PA

Ready for a floor vote when Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives reconvenes next month is Special Session HB 1 .

The measure, considered the cornerstone of Governor Ed Rendell’s Energy Independence Strategy, allocates $850 million in bond funding to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and the Commonwealth Financing Agency to support research, development and deployment of various alternative energy projects and technologies.

The bill provides rebates for consumers who purchase of energy-efficient appliances and also funds a rebate and grant program to encourage the use of solar energy.

The legislation also authorizes grants and loans for alternative energy projects, alternative fuels, demand-side management and energy-efficient measures.

Specific earmarks include $30 million for facilities manufacturing wind turbines and other energy components, and $25 million for pollution control technology projects at certain coal-burning electric-generating and cogeneration facilities.

More at: House adds more to ‘green’ energy bill

Big alternative energy vote ahead in PA Read More »

NY and CT face off over LNG terminal

A decision is expected this week from New York’s Department of State on Shell’s proposal to build a floating liquified natural gas terminal nine miles off the coast of Long Island.

If the Broadwater project is approved, Connecticut’s Attorney General Richard Blumentahal promises legal action that could drag on for years.

As an alternative, he has been recommending ExxonMobil’s BlueOcean Energy, a $1 billion floating LNG terminal proposed for construction 20 miles off the coast of New Jersey.

Blumenthal says that, in addition to being invisible from land, BlueOcean Energy would be located in an area where “there’s already a great deal of dumping of garbage,” rather than an area that has been classified as an estuary of national importance—the (Long Island) Sound.”

He also argues that BlueOcean Energy would be a less tempting target for terrorists.“No one’s going to blow up a terminal 20 miles off the coast of New Jersey, but would be delighted to strike a terminal 9 miles away from two of the most densely populated areas in the region,” he said.

The Fairfield Weekly’s Daniel D’Ambrosio explores both sides of the controversy.

For a more opinionated view of the Broadwater project, check out:
Is the Sound up for sale? It’s the latest blog posting on the subject from Denise Civiletti, the Co-publisher and Executive Editor of Times/Review Newspapers Corp. which publishes “four award-winning community newspapers” on the East End of Long Island.

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DEP takes hit in PA Governor’s new budget

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell introduced a $28.3 billion state budget proposal Tuesday that proposes significant spending boosts for education and health care without the need for new taxes. He said his plan includes tax rebates to help poor residents and stimulate the economy.

Like last year, Rendell is calling for new state investments in alternative energy programs, facilities and equipment.

The Patriot-News reports that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ budget will stay roughly the same as last year–at $116 million, but the Department of Environmental Protection’s $207 million budget will be $15.3 million (7 percent) lower than last year.

That can’t be good news for DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty. If she’s looking for areas to cut, and perhaps a sympathetic ear, she might put in a call to her counterpart in New Jersey. The Garden State’s DEP Commissioner, Lisa Jackson, told the NJ Senate Environmental Committee last week that she has lost 200 employees due to budgetary restrictions since she took over the Department in 2006.

“I am increasingly managing the department with senior staff,” Jackson said.

When asked about her priorities in 2008, Jackson said she had targeted seven areas but lacks the additional money and staff needed to do the work.

Her plight is not likely to improve. Gov. Jon Corzine has announced a broad-scale freeze on state spending, and his plan to get the state out of debt via steep toll road hikes is running into stiff public and political opposition.

SIDEBAR: Tougher economic times are affecting more than just the budget of environmental regulators. See today’s New York Times piece: In Many Communities, It’s Not Easy Going Green Looking to Washington for relief? Fuggetaboutit: Also in today’s NY Times:
Next year’s war cost estimated at $170 billion

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Week’s top environmental & political news

Some of the top environmental and political news stories
for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and beyond
appearing in EnviroPolitics from January 28 – February 1.

New Jersey Environment

South Mountain deer hunters have harvested 102 Sharpshooters killed 38 deer yesterday during the second day of a hunt being held at the Essex County-owned South Mountain Reservation Star-Ledger

Developer pays $76.5M for GM tract Nearly three years after closing its assembly plant in Linden, General Motors Corp. has sold the 100-acre property to Duke Realty, a commercial real estate investment trust, for $76.5 million, officials said Star-Ledger

State to investigate destruction of nest The deliberate destruction of a bald eagle nest in Cumberland County triggers a probe by New Jersey and federal wildlife officials, along with reward offers that climbed to $3,500 last night Star-Ledger Inquirer

Enviros want Highlands freeze until master plan is done A coalition of 53 environmental groups wants Gov. Jon Corzine to issue an executive order to protect NJ’s Highlands until a master plan to preserve open space and woodlands in the seven-county area is finalized this year Star-Ledger Bergen Record

PSE&G cost-recovery bid faces opposition A bid to block the state’s largest electric utility from recovering hundreds of millions in disputed costs from ratepayers gains support from an unlikely coalition of consumer and business groups Star-Ledger

DEP chief outlines her goals, without funds to realize them The state environmental protection commissioner said yesterday she has seven priorities for 2008, but lacks the additional money and staff needed to do the work Star-Ledger

Power export to raise bills? Public Service Enterprise Group wants to export electricity from a power plant it runs in Bergen County to New York City, a step consumer advocates fear could threaten reliability and drive up electric bills in NJ Jersey Journal

Nuclear energy debate revived for Oyster Creek In the next few weeks, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is expected to decide whether to grant a 20-year license extension to the nation’s oldest commercial nuclear station, a step even the plant’s most ardent foes expect to happen Star-Ledger

Cleanup effort lags on source of pollution Four years ago, NJ approved far-reaching new rules aimed at reining in storm water — its greatest water pollution problem and largest source of ocean, bay, river and lake swimming bans. But many towns have failed to win approval for their plans AP Press

New Jersey Politics

GOP stews while Chamber backs Corzine’s toll plan It’s a decision that has Republicans puzzled—the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce supporting Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s plan to increase tolls on some of the nation’s busiest highways. “Their endorsement is inexplicable,” said Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, R-Monmouth Associated Press Chamber Statement

Friend says former Newark mayor set aside land The woman accused of conspiring with former Newark mayor Sharpe James to rig discounted city land deals told FBI agents he ordered city officials to set aside certain lots specifically for her to buy, according to evidence disclosed yesterday Star-Ledger

New Jersey politicians quick to switch horses As the field of presidential contestants narrowed yesterday, much of NJ’s political class worked to realign itself with the new reality. Codey switches to Obama; other Dems rush back to Clinton Star-Ledger

Ashcroft, Christie are focus of monitoring deals hearing House Democrats announce plans for a special hearing to examine the Justice Department’s use of private monitors in out-of-court settlements and asked former attorney general John Ashcroft to testify about the multimillion-dollar monitoring fees he is collecting for work in a New Jersey case Star-Ledger

Rutgers board OKs stadium expansion Star-Ledger Cartoon
> Opinion: Rutgers needs new game plan Norman Glickman

Codey pitches bailout plan: Lease lottery As Gov. Jon Corzine went to Camden County last night to make his case for higher tolls to revamp the state’s finances and fund transportation projects, Senate President Richard Codey advanced another idea to raise cash: leasing the state lottery Star-Ledger

Corzine: Budget to take toll on Trenton status quo While the debate rages over the big toll hikes in his plan to restructure the state’s finances, Gov. Jon Corzine predicts a less publicized part of the proposal — a state budget that includes deep cuts — may cause even more controversy Star-Ledger

Pennsylvania Environment

Drilling to begin for area’s natural gas Natural gas reserves that are located throughout parts of Northeastern PA could pump millions of dollars into the local economy, researchers say Times Tribune

Group: State needs more high-voltage power lines to avert shortages Utility–led coalition says residents and businesses could run short of electricity by 2011 without the upgrades Patriot News

Power line project promises protests PPL Utilities is girding up for its largest project in 25 years — a 60-plus mile, 500,000-volt power line from Berwick to the state border — and it’s likely to raise environmental and health concerns along the way Times Tribune

Conservation group: Delaware River plan dangerous to trout Slaking the thirst and ensuring the safety of millions of people living along the Delaware River are not the only burdens to be met by a controversial draft of a plan for its management Pocono Record

Railroad drops site for wind turbine Norfolk Southern Corp. has crossed the Enola freight yards in East Pennsboro Twp. off its list of potential sites for a wind turbine Patriot-News

DEP fines Hawbaker on air violations Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. has been fined $61,850 by the state Department of Environmental Protection for multiple air quality violations at its asphalt plant and quarry in Spring Twp Centre Daily Times

Pocono Medical Center fined for waste dumping Hospital must pay a $100,000 fine for improperly handling medical waste in 2006, the state DEP announced Friday Pocono Record

Firm wants to wrap up remediation The company responsible for the cleanup of a 2005 petroleum pipeline explosion in South Whitehall Township has applied to the state to have the soil remediation at the site declared complete Morning Call

Pennsylvania Politics

Gaming board takes control over Mount Airy casino State gambling regulators met with executives at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Thursday to discuss a power transfer now that its owner has been charged with perjury and at least temporarily stripped of his license Associated Press

Dougherty resolves to unseat Fumo State Sen. Vince Fumo offers a brief reaction to the news that John Dougherty, head of the electricians’ union, is running for his Senate seat: Bring it on Philly.com

Nutter, Council moves aim at trades diversity Mayor Nutter will name a 30-member commission to assess ways to increase diversity in the construction industry as part of a plan to get the Convention Center expansion moving, according to sources familiar with discussions under way Philly.com

Medicaid will not cover errors in PA Rendell said hospitals will no longer be paid for costs to correct serious medical mistakes Inquirer

New York/Region/World

Plan calls for $8 entry fee to New York City Associated Press

Air Force pitches coal-to-liquids plant Air Force officials have laid out an ambitious plan to develop a privately financed coal-to-diesel plant at Malmstrom air base within the next four years at a cost of $1 billion to $4 billion Business Week

More testing of seafood to address mercury concerns A number of restaurants and retailers in different parts of the country have started testing the fish they sell in response to concerns about the amount of mercury in seafood, and the Environmental Protection Agency is beginning to examine the mercury content in fish sold in the New York City region NY Times

Ex-Assemblyman spreads largess as a lobbyist NY Times

In NY state’s woods and streams, a modern-day Artemis Patricia Riexinger is the first woman director of the New York State’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, a traditionally masculine domain New York Times

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