O’Mara Pushes For Common-Sense Energy Legislation 

Lawmaker says bill will lower New York’s Energy costs

Today, Assemblyman Tom O’Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats), the Ranking Republican Member on the Assembly Energy Committee, led the charge to reinstate the state’s expired power plant siting law, Article X.  O’Mara argues that to avert future power shortages and to lower energy costs for families and business in New York, the state needs to renew Article X this year.

O’Mara’s legislation would reauthorize Article X of the Public Service Law for ten years with amendments that improve the process for the siting of major electric generating facilities and re-establishes a state energy planning board to create a state energy plan.  O’Mara’s amendments would allow communities to participate in the siting process sooner and in a more meaningful way by providing up-front intervener funding. In addition, the bill provides for added protection of New York's natural resources, especially water resources and local waterfront revitalization programs.

            “New York’s families and businesses pay some of the highest energy costs in the nation, in part because there has not been a major power plant built in the state since Article X expired in 2003,” said O’Mara.  “This legislation would increase New York’s current energy production while ensuring that environmental concerns are met—a win-win for cleaner and lower cost power.”

O’Mara noted that the bill would also allow for better planning to meet the state’s future energy needs and provide additional incentives for business looking to move to New York.

 “New York state needs more private sector energy producers to meet our growing energy needs,” remarked O’Mara.  “In addition to lowering costs, these companies would also help to create a number of good paying local jobs.”

Article X was designed to speed up the review process for determining the locations of new major power plants, while placing emphasis on community input.  Before it expired on January 1, 2003, it was regarded as the nation’s top siting law.

“New York state needs power, the cleaner the better,” added O’Mara.  “Using the best available technology for new power plants approved under Article X would be a boost for renewable energy and alternative fuel producers.  It would result in a cleaner environment and bring much-needed manufacturing jobs to the Southern Tier, which is home to one of the nation’s largest natural gas reserves.”

            “To make New York a more affordable place for families and businesses, the Legislature needs to renew Article X and invest more in alternative energy sources, two things that I will continue to advocate,” concluded O’Mara.

            A motion to discharge to bring Assemblyman O’Mara’s Article X legislation to the Assembly Floor for a vote was defeated by Democrats. 

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