FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 11 , 2005
Contact: Barbara LoMoriello, Legislative Aide -- #(631) 854-4500

Green Power Gets the Green Light
Legislature Adopts Cooper’s Renewable Energy Plan

HAUPPAUGE, LI—Environmentalists cheered on Tuesday, April 5, when the Suffolk County Legislature gave the green light to a plan that is expected to help the County start to kick its fossil fuel habit. After a month-long battle to convince his colleagues, the 18-member body unanimously approved a renewable energy proposal championed by Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington).

Cooper’s legislation sets a goal for Suffolk County government to purchase at least 25% of its energy from non-polluting, renewable sources by the year 2010. Ever since deregulation of the utility industry, a variety of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric have been made available to consumers via their energy providers, regardless of where they live. Despite the skyrocketing costs of a barrel of crude oil, the archaic non-renewable energy providers still dominate the market. Right now that means green energy costs an average of 15 percent more than traditional, "brown electricity."

"This is a major step towards a clean, safe energy policy for Suffolk County. We commend the legislature for passing this bill establishing a green energy goal of 25%," stated Maureen Dolan, Program Coordinator of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "This initiative highlights the importance of moving away from harmful fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, and of embracing renewable energy technologies."

What diminishing good "brown electricity" does our pocketbooks, it does so at a precious cost to our public health. Suffolk has the dubious honor of being ranked the worst county for air quality in all of New York State. This is according to the pollution information website Scorecard, provided by the Environmental Defense Fund, that tracks national pollution levels (www.scorecard.org).

Cooper’s initiative also provides the benefit of helping renewable energy become more competitive against fossil fuels. Given their large consumption levels, governments can—by demanding clean energy for their own use—create a larger market for green energy technology and consequently drive its price down. This impact of this market shift will also be aided by the global depletion of petroleum (projected by 2050), natural gas and coal.

Suffolk’s 25% goal represents a commitment to clean, renewable energy totalling as much as $10 million over the next five years. The additional cost, compared to conventional energy sources, will be capped at $500,000 per year.

"With some of the highest-polluting power plants in the state located on Long Island, anything we can do to increase the use of ‘clean’ energy must be done," says Mark Serotoff, Coordinator of the Sustainable Energy Alliance of Long Island. "Slightly higher initial costs will be vastly offset by long-term savings in medical costs and lost work days due to respiratory and other illnesses."

Cooper’s plan will not only have an impact on public health locally on Long Island, but in the long run may also help play a revolutionary role in U.S. foreign policy.

"Suffolk's 'Green Power' initiative lights the way to a future when our local energy needs will be met largely by renewable energy technologies," says Cooper. "Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels benefits our environment and our public health, and helps lead our nation towards energy independence. This clearly is a win-win-win situation."

Accolades to passage of Cooper’s resolution came from environmentalists and energy providers alike.

"We are thrilled to see Suffolk County taking a leadership role in promoting renewable energy. Shifting to clean energy will provide a host of environmental and public health benefits, while also helping to reduce our country's reliance on foreign sources of energy," stated Christine Fasano, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the New York League of Conservation Voters. "We applaud Legislator Cooper for sponsoring this important bill."

"The Long Island Power Authority applauds Legislator Cooper’s efforts to promote Green Energy for Suffolk County and its residents," said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. "If Long Island is going to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and produce a cleaner environment, this legislation is a critical step in that direction. LIPA will continue to work with Suffolk County and other local governments to promote the use of Green Power as a way to provide a better future for Long Island."

Marie Pendzich, Vice Chair and Energy Chair of the Long Island Sierra Club, sees no other way for the County to continue to manage its energy consumption. "We applaud Legislator Jon Cooper for having the foresight to envision the only path we can take for true energy stability and we commend the Suffolk County Legislature for having the courage to follow his lead," she stated.

County Executive Steve Levy is expected to sign the bill into law.