Letter to Emily Lloyd, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Re: Delaware County Plan For Innovative Renewable Energy Project

Letter

Letter to Emily Lloyd, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Re: Delaware County Plan For Innovative Renewable Energy Project

Senator Clinton Presses Support For Delaware County Plan For Innovative Renewable Energy Project

Delaware County Electric Cooperative Project To Produce Enough Clean Energy To Power 20,000 Homes In Peak Output Conditions

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is calling on the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to expedite the review process for a renewable energy project that is being proposed by the Delaware County Electric Cooperative (DCEC). The proposed project would take water that is currently released at the Schoharie, Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink Reservoirs to produce enough clean energy to power approximately 20,000 homes during peak output conditions. In a letter to NYC DEC Commissioner Emily Lloyd, Senator Clinton stressed that this type of project is critical to the reservoir communities in upstate New York, whose economic development options have been limited in order to protect the watershed, which provides up to 90% of New York City's drinking water.

"With gas prices and energy costs skyrocketing it is vitally important that we take initiative to develop real alternative energy solutions to fit our growing demands - and the Delaware County Energy Cooperative has done exactly that to help meet the area's long term needs," said Senator Clinton. "This innovative project has the potential to supply clean energy to tens of thousands of homes in the region, and is reflective of the sort of forward thinking we should be encouraging. I urge the DEP to give strong consideration to this proposal which is so critical to the reservoir communities in upstate New York."

A copy of Senator Clinton's Letter to DEP Commissioner Lloyd is attached -


Ms. Emily Lloyd
Commissioner
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
10th Floor
59-17 Junction Boulevard
Flushing, New York 11373

Dear Commissioner Lloyd:

I am writing with regard to a proposal by the Delaware County Electric Cooperative (DCEC) to develop a renewable energy project at four reservoirs in the New York watershed region. I urge your office to work proactively with DCEC to help move this proposal through the necessary review process in a timely manner.

As described, the proposed project would take water that is currently released at the Schoharie, Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink Reservoirs to produce enough clean energy to power approximately 20,000 homes during peak output conditions. This proposal reflects the type of innovative clean energy solutions we must encourage as we grapple with the impacts of our nation's growing energy needs, the effects of global warming, and the challenges of the current economy. All of these factors are especially important to the reservoir communities in upstate New York, whose economic development options have been limited in order to protect the watershed, which provides up to 90% of New York City's drinking water.

The review process should closely consider the potential environmental impacts of the project as well as any other areas that may be identified in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's licensing process.

DCEC's efforts are commendable and I fully support their proactive pursuit of new clean energy sources in New York in this time of record-high energy prices.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

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