Write a commentThe following releases from the Upstate Energy Jobs Coalition, IBEW Utility Labor Council of New York and building trade groups are in response to the Public Service Commission's recent decision pertaining to the Clean Energy Standard:
UPSTATE ENERGY JOBS COALITION RELEASES STATEMENT ON PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DECISION ON CLEAN ENERGY STANDARD
OSWEGO, N.Y. (December 15, 2016) – The Upstate Energy Jobs Coalition (UEJ), a group representing more than 130 business, education and labor leaders throughout upstate and central New York, released the following statement in response to today’s Public Service Commission (PSC) decision in New York City on the Clean Energy Standard (CES).
Please see the statement below from L. Michael Treadwell, CEO of the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency and UEJ member:
“The Public Service Commission (PSC) decision today on the CES was yet another clear step forward in the process of ensuring that the CES is implemented, and saving our upstate nuclear energy plants. The Commission has conducted a thorough, detailed oriented stakeholder process. We are grateful to Governor Andrew Cuomo for continuing to champion clean air in our state, and positioning New York as a clean energy leader through this historic measure.
The benefits of the CES are indisputable. This measure extends advantages to all New Yorkers because upstate nuclear plants contribute approximately $3.16 billion in state gross domestic product, account for nearly 25,000 direct and secondary jobs and pay $144 million in local and state tax revenue – according to recent Brattle Group report. The report also found that upstate nuclear plants plants help stabilize the lost price of electricity to the tune of $1.7 billion in savings for New York consumers. Moreover, the Brattle Group found that upstate nuclear plants help avoid over 16 million tons of carbon emissions. In fact, their environmental contribution is so great that without them, New York would find it downright impossible to reach its ambitious carbon goals.
We thank the Governor again for his hard work and urge that the CES’s start to be expedited so that we all can enjoy its benefits as well as a clean energy future.”
### About Upstate Energy Jobs Coalition
Upstate Energy Jobs (UEJ) is a growing coalition of more than 130 upstate New York elected representatives, business leaders, members of organized labor, education institutions, economic development organizations and community leaders who are leading efforts to raise awareness among policymakers of the importance of keeping upstate New York’s nuclear energy plants open. For more information or to voice support for preserving the region’s economic and environmental security, go to upstateenergyjobs.com.
IBEW ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DECISION ON THE CLEAN ENERGY STANDARD
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (December 15, 2016) – In response to today’s Public Service Commission (PSC) decision on the Clean Energy Standard (CES), Ted Skerpon, Chairman of the IBEW Utility Labor Council of New York, issued the below statement:
“Today’s Public Service Commission (PSC) decision represented another step in the right direction to save upstate nuclear power plants. The PSC reaffirmed its pledge to the thousands of families that depend on the operation of Ginna, Nine Mile Point and FitzPatrick that they are a top priority and not overlooked as New York moves to become a clean energy leader.
The Clean Energy Standard (CES) is a monumental measure because it makes upstate nuclear plants financially viable and on the same tier as other renewable sources of energy creating a strong carbon free foundation for New York’s clean energy future. This is important for the future of nuclear in New York and truly a groundbreaking initiative for its recognition of nuclear energy’s benefits. New York’s upstate nuclear plants bring a wealth of benefits to the state including 25,000 direct and secondary jobs and $3.16 billion in state gross domestic product along with helping to avoid 16 million tons of CO2 emissions. It is accurate to say that without upstate nuclear plants, all New Yorkers would be impacted by the loss of these economic and environmental advantages.
We thank Governor Cuomo for his unwavering efforts to move the CES forward. We are one step closer to making the CES a reality for the benefit of the state’s clean energy future and all New Yorkers.”
The IBEW Utility Labor Council of New York represents over 15,000 IBEW Utility Workers in 18 IBEW Local Unions across New York State. They lobby and advocate for laws and regulation that ensures the safety of utility workers across New York State. The Utility Labor Council is a voice for utility workers in government, and they stride to work with New York's elected leadership to find reasonable solutions to New York's energy solvency issue. Understanding that energy technologies are constantly changing, the Utility Labor Council works to train and re-train New York’s utility workforce and create and maintain good jobs. The Utility Labor Council cares about the communities in which they work and live. Learn more: http://www.utilitylaborcouncil.com/
BUILDING TRADES RELEASE STATEMENT ON PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DECISION ON THE CLEAN ENERGY STANDARD
OSWEGO, NY (December 15, 2016) – Today, The Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council, Central-Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council and the Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council released a statement on the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) decision on the Clean Energy Standard (CES).
“The Public Service Commission’s (PSC) decision today was a meaningful moment in the path to advance the Clean Energy Standard (CES),” said Dave Young, President of the Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council. “The economic and environmental benefits of the CES cannot be denied. Keeping our upstate nuclear plants open means that millions of tons of carbon emissions will be avoided and thousands of jobs as well as millions of dollars in economic activity will be saved, according to a recent Brattle Group report.”
“Ensuring Ginna, Nine Mile and FitzPatrick nuclear plants continue to operate means a significant burden will be lifted off the backs of our communities and families,” said Jeff Stark, President of the Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council. “It is the hope that with the regulatory process ending today upstate nuclear plants can continue to operate and contribute to the livelihoods of many of our region’s households.”
“We commend the Governor for his hard work to help advance the CES and push for its expedited start,” said Gregory Lancette, President of the Central and Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council. “The CES brings a host of advantages to New Yorkers not only because upstate nuclear plants are economic and environmental powerhouses for the state, but also because the CES saves all New Yorkers $1.7 billion in electricity costs, as found by a Brattle Group report. We call for the CES to be implemented immediately for the clean and green future of New York State.”
### The Central-Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council
The Central-Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council (CNNYBTC) represents approximately 5,000 construction workers and 17 member unions that are highly skilled in a wide array of crafts. These men and women are an intricate part of New York’s workforce, our region’s economy, and future economic prosperity. Learn more: http://www.cnnybtc.org/
### Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council
The Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council is group of 20 individual trades who represent more than 22,000 highly skilled members in the construction industry. For more than 100 years we have built the landmark building of our states capitol providing the highest quality workmanship for their owners
### The Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council
The Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council is an association of 18 individual trades whose mission is to support the working men and woman of our local construction industry. 16,000 members strong, our impact on the community can be seen all around us. It is in the Rochester skyline that we built and in the over $100 million annually our members bring to the local economy. We provide the best skilled workers in the region to those that want their construction project built right the first time- on time and on budget. Learn more: http://www.rochesterlabornews.com/
