Opinion: Peaker plant overhaul will keep energy jobs in Astoria

The site of the peaker plant in Astoria. The company NRG wants to overhaul the facility to burn natural gas instead of oil but has faced pushback from environmental advocates and lawmakers who want the site reserved for renewable energy production and storage. Image courtesy of NRG

By Alex Gomez

I’ve lived nearly my entire life in Queens. My family came to the U.S. from Colombia when I was five years old to pursue a better life and achieve the American dream. I grew up in Elmhurst, went to Aviation High School in Long Island City and became an airline mechanic. I put myself through City College of New York to get my electrical engineering degree. I am a proud New Yorker. I work here, and my daughter plays here. It’s been a privilege to build my life in Queens, where for the past five years, I have worked for NRG at the Astoria Generating Station, first as a maintenance supervisor and now as operations supervisor.  

Like most New Yorkers, however, I’m nervous about what the new year might bring. Queens is already experiencing very high unemployment. If additional waves of COVID-19 move into New York City this winter and spring, our economy is likely to take an even greater hit. That’s why infrastructure and economic development projects are more important than ever.

NRG is planning to upgrade the site where I work. When complete, it will have multiple benefits for my neighbors and me. But there are some who are trying to shut down the plant entirely and eliminate all the jobs that go with it. That doesn’t just affect me and my family, but in one way or another, it will affect you, your family, your friends, and your neighbors. New Yorkers need good jobs, clean air and a reliable electricity grid to keep the lights on. This project will achieve all three of these critical goals at no cost to taxpayers. That’s why it’s important to set the record straight, because we can’t allow this opportunity to pass us by. 

This infrastructure project would replace the plant’s turbines with the latest technology that is far cleaner and more efficient. In doing so, the project will create 175 union construction jobs at a prevailing wage, with full benefits, while also reducing on-site air emission rates by up to 99% and will remove millions of tons of greenhouse gases from our atmosphere. 

The project has the potential to create more than 500 local jobs—stemming from increased foot traffic to neighborhood restaurants, shops and other businesses. We regularly hire many local contractors to support the plant. An independent economic study, concludes the project will generate more than $325 million for the local economy – a vital source of revenue for countless small businesses in Queens that are on the verge of closing their doors for good. 

Our on-site team keeps the lights on for New York City — a community I hold dear. Our facility provides backup power to New Yorkers when electricity is in short supply and can start up safely in less than 10 minutes. I love my job and I’m proud of the work done by members of the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 at our Astoria plant. 

As someone who lives in this community and who has a daughter growing up here, I want cleaner air as soon as possible. NRG’s plan to replace outdated turbines will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated five million tons over the next 15 years – which is the equivalent of taking 64,000 cars off the road in Astoria. That’s a real difference that will mean improved air quality and a better quality of life for Queens residents. My family and I shouldn’t have to wait 10-20 years for renewable-only solutions when this project would deliver better air quality right away. What’s more, NRG is not relying on government grants or subsidies, which will mean cleaner air, more jobs and a bridge to renewable energy in the future, all without costing taxpayers a dime.

The union that represents the employees at my facility, Local 1-2, is a part of Climate Jobs NY – a coalition of labor unions that are committed to fighting climate change and inequality while promoting good jobs for New Yorkers. The technology NRG is bringing to Astoria is expected to be fully convertible to 100% renewable hydrogen power, offering a clear path to zero carbon emissions in the future. 

Solar, wind, and battery storage alone are not yet capable of keeping the lights on. That’s why we need cleaner natural gas to help bridge the gap between the renewable energy future, and the reality of keeping the lights on today in a city of nearly 10 million people that need a reliable electric grid to power their homes, schools and hospitals.

From my first day in the door, NRG gave me the opportunity for a good-paying job where I get to help my neighbors every single day. I am proud to work for a company that does right by its employees and the community. Queens gave me a chance to succeed. I want to stay and continue to contribute to our community here, but that means we must ensure that job opportunities grow and remain here for working-class people. 

Alex Gomez is a Flushing resident and operations supervisor for NRG at the Astoria Generating Station.