Res. No. 75

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature and the appropriate State regulatory agencies to provide reduced energy rates for individuals living in the immediate vicinity of a power plant, and further calling upon the Mayor to propose a memorandum of understanding to be entered into between the City and those energy companies operating power plants within the City that would provide for reduced energy rates for such individuals.

By Council Members Vallone Jr., Comrie, Liu, Lopez, McMahon, Sanders Jr., Addabbo Jr., Gentile, Gerson and Nelson

Whereas, Many of the power plants currently operating in New York City are located in, or in close proximity to, residential areas, parks and schools; and

Whereas, The recent deregulation of the energy industry in New York has resulted in a proliferation of proposed new power plants in the City, as well as the expansion of many existing power plants; and

                     Whereas, If approved, many of the proposed new power plants and expansions would also be constructed in close proximity to residential areas; and

                     Whereas, Although the City is in need of new sources of energy, the sites of the City’s current and proposed power plants raise serious health concerns and have been proven to adversely affect the health of our City’s residents, especially those living in close proximity to these sites; and

                     Whereas, Even though new power plants are considerably less polluting than the older plants, communities surrounding and abutting power plants are still exposed daily to a host of pollutants and there has been little testing to determine the cumulative effect on communities that neighbor a cluster of power plants, such as Long Island City; and

                     Whereas, In addition, power plants affect the aesthetics of a community and decrease property values in the immediate area; and

                     Whereas, For these reasons, individuals living in the vicinity of power plants deserve, at the very least, reduced energy rates; and

                     Whereas, It is important for the State government to recognize the hardship of living near a power plant and provide a small benefit for such individuals; and

                     Whereas, It is equally important that the Mayor recognize this hardship and propose that a memorandum of understanding be entered into between the City and those energy providers operating within the City to offer lower energy rates to individuals who have power plants in their communities; and

                     Whereas, In exchange for the privilege of operating in New York City, energy companies should be willing to offer lower rates for residents who live in the immediate vicinity of their plants, and, moreover, such a gesture would go a long way toward developing positive community relations; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature and the appropriate State regulatory agencies to provide reduced energy rates for individuals living in the immediate vicinity of a power plant, and further calls upon the Mayor to propose a memorandum of understanding to be entered into between the City and those energy companies operating power plants within the City that would provide for reduced energy rates for such individuals.