1.28.22 - Champlain Hudson: A preview of our bright energy future — today | Opinion
' Every morning millions of New Yorkers flick on their lights but are unaware that the energy powering their homes and offices comes overwhelmingly — as much as 90% — from burning fossil fuels.
Those smokestacks are not in a faraway land, but are in the heart of New York City, and in backyards of families whose kids live under a cloud of heavily polluted air.
The undeniable ravages of climate change are relentlessly worsening, and we need bold action to reverse this damage. Thankfully, New York State has embraced an aggressive goal to transition New York to a clean energy future where 70% of our power will come from reliable, renewable power by 2030. This commitment to the future has created significant allies throughout our State and beyond. Labor organizations, environmental groups, elected leaders and an Indigenous Leader have formed a true partnership to advance the transition away from fossil fuels. Our goal is to create a more sustainable economy, green jobs, cleaner air and water and healthier neighborhoods.
Recently, the state of New York announced two projects which are critical to meeting this goal are on track and have entered a public comment period. As representatives of groups that don’t always agree — we think it is important to work together to identify the benefits for New York.
The Champlain Hudson Power Express is a thoroughly vetted project that won a competitive state process because it will deliver 1,250 megawatts of clean hydropower to New York City to power more than 1 million homes by 2025 — replacing more than half of the energy from the now offline Indian Point nuclear plant.
The CHPE will deliver constant, renewable hydropower that will replace fossil fuel-burning sources and therefore cut carbon emissions and local air pollutants across our state. The project is a perfect complement to wind and solar power sources, which are also essential to a greener economy.
This project alone will remove the emissions equivalent of half a million cars from the streets in New York. This is good for our planet, and ensures cleaner air, and millions in health benefits which means less asthma, fewer doctor visits and healthier New Yorkers.
CHPE will also benefit New Yorkers by creating more than 1,400 good-paying jobs, with a commitment to union labor. This figure doesn’t include benefits from the $1.4 billion dollars in tax revenues that will benefit communities along the line — money that will go to local schools and services throughout New York. This clean energy project also sets aside $40 million for a Green Economy Fund that will provide job training to help provide workers new skills that boost their economic opportunities, particularly in underserved communities.'