Jacobs spotlights Long Island’s future energy needs

Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), vice chair of the Nassau County Planning, Development and the Environment Committee and other members of the committee, headed by chairperson Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick), held a meeting recently to gather information they hope will give them a clearer picture of Nassau County’s future energy needs and what alternative energy sources can be utilized.

Joined by representatives from numerous energy suppliers and environmental advocates, Presiding Officer Jacobs and members of the committee listened to about four hours of testimony that included an update on the Cross Sound Cable, the Neptune Cable the future outlook on fuel prices.

Speakers at the hearing included Tracy Burgess-Levy, LIPA’s: Energy Plan and Preview; John Hritcko, Broadwater Energy; Jeff Donahue, Cross Sound Cable Company; Keith Christensen, Community Energy; Kevin Rooney, Oil Heat Institute; Hub Bianco, Freeport Electric; John Waffenschmit, Director Business Development, Covanta Energy Corp.; Thomas Maher, Nassau County Environmental Coordinator.

“My hope is that by conducting this informative hearing we can collaboratively finds ways to meet Long Island’s energy demands in the future,” said Presiding Officer Jacobs. “As fuel prices soar and our supply of fossil fuel diminishes, I believe we must also look to alternative and environmentally sound sources of energy, such as solar, wind and hydro power. While we have already made some strides toward that goal, being but we need to do much more.”

Keith Christensen, Director of Long Island Operations for Community Energy, said more municipalities have signed on to use wind power.

“People are willing to pay more for wind power,” Mr. Christensen said. “The market for wind power is demand driven and as more consumers sign on, prices will go down.”

Legislator Denenberg said that he would like to see LIPA distribute generous rebates to any customer who installs solar panels for their home energy use.

Brendan Mahoney, Program Coordinator for the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, added, that his organization “encourages Nassau County to be at the forefront of the renewable energy movement and to take full advantage of solar power.”