4.22.19 - After years of delay, de Blasio revives plan to bring hydropower from Canada
'Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday revived a commitment to a nearly decade-old proposal to build the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a roughly 333-mile transmission line that would deliver hydropower from Quebec to New York City. De Blasio said the city is aiming to strike a deal by the end of 2020 to use the hydropower for city government operations. New York's ultimate goal is to power all of its government buildings with clean energy, like hydropower, within five years, the mayor said.'
'De Blasio said the project is getting a second wind for a variety of reasons, including the closure of Indian Point, "good conversations with the state" and a general recognition that the city needs to do more to tackle the growing threat of climate change.'
'The line's developer has been seeking a customer to contract for the majority of the capacity of the line in order to secure financing for the project before beginning construction. De Blasio said other "partners," like the private sector, could play a role in contracting for the rest of the power.'
'Blackstone and Transmission Developers Inc, the developers behind the Champlain Hudson Power Express, voiced support for de Blasio's announcement. "Blackstone and TDI's fully permitted Champlain Hudson Power Express is ready to supply New York with 1,000 MW of clean, renewable power, which will create jobs, improve local air quality and more than double the amount of carbon-free power in New York City's energy supply," the companies said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the city and state during the formal procurement process and to being a part of New York's cleaner, greener future."'