NEW YORK NEEDS ALL THE ENERGY WE CAN GET
Governor Hochul deserves praise for her courageous approval of enhancements to the Iroquois pipeline last month, which will increase our energy security and offset the use of dirtier fuels. The Governor was right when she decided that energy security and affordability should be priorities amid a broader shift to cleaner energy. As the president of Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, whose members have worked to keep the lights on generations of New Yorkers, I applaud her foresight and encourage her to continue prioritizing similar projects.
Much like the federal government’s quest for energy dominance, New York should embrace an all-of-the above energy strategy because as New York’s economy grows, so too does its need for energy. New technologies and industries like artificial intelligence, data centers, cryptocurrencies and blockchain are bringing good jobs and investment to New York at a time when we need both. But they also strain our power grid and force us to find new sources of energy to keep up. New York’s grid operator recently flagged a rare “reliability need,” which means that New York City risks power shortages soon without unlocking new sources of energy.
That is why the Governor should use all her authority to make sure New York has all the energy it can get. We’ll soon find out if she has the grit to do so, as she is facing a question with profound consequences for our labor force and economy.
Like many in my union, my father started his career under the red-and-white smokestacks of New York’s largest power plant – Ravenswood in Long Island City. I followed in his footsteps as a Con Edison lineman. Today, nearly 100 of my members work at this plant. Its owners are proposing an ambitious transition to renewable energy, anchored by a transmission line called Queensboro Renewable Express, which will deliver clean offshore wind power to more than 2 million homes while strengthening opportunities for our workforce. It’s the type of project you’d expect the State to love, but recent media reports suggest bureaucrats are considering dismissal of the project’s permit application. That would be the wrong approach; the Governor should intervene immediately to ensure New York continues advancing important projects like this.
The stakes are high: if projects like this are denied, it will create an irreversible chilling effect on the clean energy sector that will persist even after the federal government’s position towards offshore wind changes. It will communicate that New York’s regulators will not cooperate with private partners that are spending money at risk to develop the projects necessary for our economy to keep growing. Yes, there is uncertainty in the clean energy industry today, but issuing the permits for this project at this point will not cost ratepayers a dime and having preapproved transmission options available for future energy sources will lower risk and cost for New Yorkers in the future.
Members of my union are proud to have powered New York City for decades and look forward to working on projects like Queensboro for decades to come. It’s why we’re adamant that New York needs an all-of-the-above energy approach. It’s not just about keeping skilled union workers employed; it’s about making sure the City we love has the power it needs to keep its $1.8 trillion economy growing. We’re counting on Governor Hochul to deliver for Queensboro, just like she did for Iroquois in February. Anything less will hurt workers and limit our State’s potential economic growth.
James Shillitto is the President of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 1-2, whose members have powered New York City’s energy grid at the Ravenswood Generating Station for nearly 60 years.
