NORWICH – Based on figures in the U.S. Department of Energy’s federal budget request, creating power lines like the New York Regional Interconnection doesn’t appear to be among the nation’s top priorities for 2008 – or the future.
The DOE’s $24.3 billion budget mostly calls for heavy spending on securing nuclear stockpiles and completing environmental clean-ups, but it also emphasizes investing in alternative energy and diversifying the nation’s energy resources. Increased research and development of powerline technologies and systems was not listed as a funding priority.
“Under President Bush’s leadership, this budget builds on our commitment to strengthen our nation’s energy security by diversifying our energy resources and reducing our reliance on foreign sources of energy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman in a Feb. 5 press release. “This budget will help us expand our nation’s scientific know-how, protect generations from the dangers of our Cold War legacy, and safely and reliably maintain our nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.”
Over half the budget went to the National Nuclear Security Administration ($9.4 billion) and the Office of Science ($4.4 billion). The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy requested the fourth highest amount, asking for $1.24 billion to continue research into clean coal, wind, solar, nuclear, and hydrogen technology.
“This request supports continued scientific discovery and the development of alternative energy sources that are vital to America’s energy and economic security,” the Feb. 5 press release states.
The Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, which oversees federal electricity research and development, requested only $115 million – the least amount of funding for any office – which is less than .5 percent of the entire budget. That office – guided by the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which calls for private investment in transmission – may eventually designate part of NYRI’s proposed 190-mile route a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor, possibly putting the issue under federal authority.
“This request supports a variety of programs designed to modernize the electricity transmission and distribution system,” states the DOE press release, regarding the relatively small electricity budget, “and increase energy reliability, energy and system efficiency, and security.”
Calls to the DOE for further comment Monday and Tuesday were not returned by press time.
NYRI, an Albany-based subsidiary of the Canadian energy firm Colmac Power, is proposing to spend $1.6 billion to build a power line that would run 190 miles from Oneida to Orange County. The line would bisect 44 miles and six townships in Chenango County. Citizens along the route are opposing the line for fear it would unnecessarily devastate the local economy, landscape, and general health and well being of the area.
When asked to comment on the fact that power lines and electricity transmission were not explicitly mentioned among the DOE priorities for the future, NYRI public affairs representative David Kalson said the DOE’s call for furthering scientific know-how and developing clean energy sources encompasses NYRI’s project.
“I could put NYRI in that category,” Kalson said. “That fits in nicely.”
NYRI claims its line would relieve energy constraints downstate, which the DOE listed as a “critical” congestion area in August. However, the line would deplete upstate electricity supplies and raise its wholesale energy rates $166 million. NYRI representative Leonard Singer claimed the benefits for upstate would be “intangible,” adding, upon questioning, that he was not sure if the power line was for private or public benefit.
The New York Power Authority announced last week that it is joining a research study with 35 other utility company’s nationwide to develop technology that would reduce energy consumption, and in effect reduce pollution and energy costs.
“These technologies generate real savings,” said NYPA President and CEO Timothy S. Carey, who’s working with the Electric Power Research Institute, “and are part of the solution for addressing concerns about global climate change and energy security.”