Gennaro calls for PSC to approve Canadian energy connection

Councilmember James Gennaro (right of podium) stood with Chris Erikson (speaking) and Adrienne Esposito  to urge approval of the Champlain Hudson Power Express on Monday, April 11, 2022.  Eagle photo by Rachel Vick

Local union leaders joined advocates and Councilmember James Gennaro to call for the approval of a project to bring hydropower from Canada to Queens on Monday.

The Champlain Hudson Power Express project, which would transmit renewable energy down into the Astoria Energy Complex, is currently waiting for approval from the state’s Public Service Commission.

“We want to focus on electricity,” Gennaro said. “We want what the PSC said they wanted; to put them on the clean path. We know what needs to be done. We can’t relent on the pressure.”

The PSC is anticipated to announce whether or not the project will move forward this week.

The CHPE would partner with HydroQuebec to build and bury transmission cables below the Hudson River to deliver the electricity to the city.

It could cut carbon dioxide emission by 22 percent, and invest 40 percent back into environmental justice communities that have been disproportionately exposed to greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants that cause asthma, heart disease and cancer.

Chris Erikson, business manager for Local 3 IBEW, celebrated the efforts to bring renewable energy and an electric grid to Queens.

“It wasn’t easy to [agree to] plugging an extension cord into Canada,” he said. “We know the struggle of getting there - there’s a transition. We’re on our way and certainly gonna get there.”

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced Tier 4 to bring renewables into New York City in the wake of the closure of Indian Point, with seven projects vying for round two funding.

In September 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced two recommended contract awards for Clean Path NY — which would bring solar and wind energy from upstate into the Rainey Substation in Astoria — and CHPE. The two need PSC approval before beginning the detailed work like securing supply contracts and workforce development.

Together, they are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 77 million metric tons over the next 15 years — equivalent to taking one million cars off the road.

According to NYSERDA, CHPE could begin construction upon approval and is expected to be able to deliver power by 2025, working to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal, which aim to have 70 percent of New York’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030 and zero-emission electricity by 2040.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito said she sees the CHPE as offering “minimum impact for maximum benefit,” which she described as an important part of the fight against climate change. Not taking action because of potential risks is not an option, she explained.

“We have a moral and ethical obligation to choose,” she said in response to CHPE opposition which cites negative environmental impact. “We must keep solving climate change at the center.”