New York PSC Opens Docket on Retirements, Other Energy Highway Blueprint Issues

The New York State Public Service Commission took action on three items highlighted in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Energy Highway Blueprint issued by the Energy Highway Task Force in October.

No initiating orders were published as of press time.

According to a press release, the actions taken are designed examine plans and alternatives to ease transmission congestion to meet current and future power needs by providing downstate New York access to lower-cost power; plan for possible major power plant retirements; and study the expansion of natural gas delivery to homeowners and businesses in New York State

As previously reported, the Energy Highway Blueprint included recommendations for repowered and new generating capacity, but did not address cost recovery of such capacity, or disposition of products from such generation

Regarding retirements, the PSC said that the Commission commenced a proceeding today to develop a contingency plan in the event of a closing of Indian Point, two nuclear power plants located in Westchester County, approximately 30 miles north of Manhattan. The Commission directed Consolidated Edison to work with the New York Power Authority to develop and file a contingency plan to address the needs that would arise in the event the Indian Point units shut down.

Dockets:

12-T-0502 [Alternating Current Transmission Upgrades]

12-E-0503 [Review of Generation Retirement Contingency Plans]

12-G-0297 [Expansion of Natural Gas Service] in