Power plant law passes in Albany
The Albany Times Union reports – in its capitol blog – that a bill to ease siting of new power generating facilities passed in Albany last night.
The Associated Press calls Article X “the most important bill most New Yorkers never heard of.”
Here’s the full AP copy, which came before the vote:
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature are on the cusp of passing the most important bill most New Yorkers never heard of.
The so-called Article X (Article Ten) bill would allow new and improved power plants to be built in New York state again. The law that specifies several environmental protections lapsed nearly 10 years ago.
Cuomo has said New York needs more power as it tries to emerge from the recession.
More power plants could also reduce the need to keep some of New York’s aging nuclear power plants on line.
TU blogger Jiimy Vielkind singles out Assemblywoman Addie Russell’s dissent. (She was of 13 not votes.) The Democrat fro St. Lawrence County is worried the bill will take decisions on whether to allow wind farms, and where, out of local hands.
“There are concerns over the loss of local control, especially with local wind projects,” Russell told me (Vielkind) last night. “Even though the state has to follow local laws, it can determine them ‘unreasonable.'”
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Environmental protections aside, I’m not sure giving more power to an already corrupt and dysfunctional entity that is Albany is in the best interests of local communities. It seems to me a great many of our current fiscal problems can be laid at the feet of our Capital. Now they want more power over local towns, villages, and counties? I also find it odd how this legislation received very little attention up until a few days ago when the wind farm component of it was brought to light. Why didn’t we know of this earlier?
If Addie is against it, I’m for it!
Observing the local towns handling the wind issue has been entertaining to say the least. I don’t know if the level of corruption and dysfunction is any less than that found in Albany. It just might not get as many headlines. I do know the lobbying groups at the local level are obviously very well-funded.
It seems true to me also. There is no shortage of crazies, schemers, and folks with a vested interest at any level in New York State.
New York needs less power. Ban air conditioners. People say they love warm weather. If they do, why would they want an air conditioner?