Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Steve Englebright Call on LIPA To Begin The Economic Feasibility Study Of Port Jefferson Power Plant

Port Jefferson, March 21, 2014 – Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Steve Englebright today called upon LIPA to establish a schedule for a previously committed to Economic Feasibility Study concerning the repowering of the Port Jefferson Power Plant.

“LIPA made a promise to conduct an Economic Feasibility Study and make a decision on repowering.  We want them to honor their commitment and provide firm dates for when the study will be completed and when a determination on repowering will be made.  We should not be making decisions about excess power until the Economic Feasibility Studies are finalized.” said Senator LaValle.  He continued, “There are great economic consequences for the 100 Power Plant employees and their families, in addition to the host community.   Local businesses like restaurants, gas stations, coffee shops, in addition to homeowners, schools and the Village of Port Jefferson, are entitled to answers in order to plan for the future.”

Assemblyman Englebright said “We are calling on LIPA to keep a commitment they made to the people of Port Jefferson in the Power Service Agreement (PSA) of 2012, and restated it in the 2013 PSA to take an honest look at the economic feasibility of repowering the Port Jeff plant.”

“Before LIPA opens the public checkbook to the undetermined costs for other new power plants, they need to keep the promise they made to Port Jefferson, which has hosted their power generating operation for over half a century, and welcomes repowering of this older plant.   It is now reasonable and incumbent to expect a specific timetable for LIPA's economic feasibility study and that such a study be completed before actions are taken that would make the question of repowering moot.” concluded Assemblyman Englebright.

Senator LaValle had language inserted into the Senate Budget Resolution that would require LIPA to carry out the Economic Feasibility Study which could then provide for repowering of existing plants. This requirement applies to all of Long Island’s power plants that would be eligible for repowering.  The Budget Resolution passed the State Senate last week, and is now being negotiated as part of the final State Budget process.

The Long Island Power Authority committed in the 2012 Amended and Restated Power Supply Agreement (A&R PSA) to conduct an Economic Feasibility Study concerning the re-powering the Port Jefferson Power Plant. The Governor and Legislature reiterated that commitment when the LIPA legislation was signed last July.

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