Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and fellow lawmakers were pleased to hear today that Long Island Power Authority Chairman Richard Kessel has extended an offer to the legislature to embark on a "joint venture" to select and develop a viable cross sound cable project to transmit more power for Long Island.

Kessel was a guest speaker at a hearing Thursday on energy needs, held before the Planning, Development and Environmental Committee of which Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick) is chair.

"This proposed partnership agreement with LIPA would make the county a player in the selection process," said Jacobs. "We would make the decision together. I would also encourage LIPA and Nassau County to be partners in not only this venture, but in other alternative energy proposals."

"This would be a win-win for all of us," Kessel said of the proposed partnership. He also added that by joining into such a venture with LIPA, the county would be eligible for reduced rates on energy.

While other underwater cross sound cable projects have failed to come to fruition, according to Kessel, an additional source of power for Long Island is needed.

Additional speakers at the five-hour hearing included representatives from Keyspan, Sustainable Energy, The Neighborhood Network, Village of Freeport Electric, Transenergie, Bluewater Wind and the Nassau-Suffolk Building and Construction Trades Council.

"The reason for this hearing was to provide a forum for all these energy plans," said Denenberg. "While energy needs may not always be in the forefront of everyone's concerns, a renewable energy plan is crucial to Long Island's livelihood."

While other underwater cross sound cable projects have failed to come to fruition as of yet, few dispute the fact that an additional source of transmitting energy to Long Island is needed.

Kathleen Whitely of the Sustainable Energy Alliance, a proponent of renewable energy sources, said that solar and wind power energy sources would not only bring new jobs to the county, but would also save money.

Legislator Denenberg will be issuing a report on the hearing in the near future.