PSC Double Whammy Shock for NYS Utility Ratepayers and Taxpayers
The Public Service Commission is ready to disavow the prescribed ten-year deregulation policy to give special approval for the Iberdrola acquisition of Energy East. Watching the video of the August 20, 2008 meeting clearly exhibits the rubber stamp cozy relationship among monopolistic cronies. The fundamental duty to protect the ratepayer from predatory corporate practices is as foreign to the PSC as it is familiar to the Spanish industrial wind cartel developer - Iberdrola.
Totally ignored by the staff and commissioners of the PSC, the approval of ownership of wind generation facilities by Iberdrola, (the fourth largest worldwide utility), will virtually pay no New York State taxes. The Byzantine labyrinth of REC (renewal energy certificates) credits from selling unmetered electric from wind projects illustrates the bogus nature of a system designed to rip off the public. The picture of wind RECs appears in the dictionary under the definition of boondoggle.
The Public Service Commission is charged by NYS Law to oversee the sale or trade of renewable credit transactions. (See § 66-k Allowance credit trading or sales). At least the commission and staff acknowledged and stipulated that electric generation from industrial wind is substantially higher in cost than current methods of production.
REC credits have been sold from the Steelwinds - First Wind/UPC Wind - project that create enormous tax offsets that are the real underlying benefit from industrial wind turbines. How is it possible to generate electricity, when the turbines were not working because of the problems with the Clipper turbines gearbox and blade? Could this be the miracle cure for the eternal search of a perpetual motion machine? Or is it just a latest gravy train for the new robber barons!
Where is the PSC regulatory oversight for fraud? Better yet, who will investigate the PSC staff for their 180-degree reversal of a sensible deregulation public policy?
Not a whiff of corruption, to paraphrase the New York Times article on illegal practices in the wind industry, deserves a sequel – Iberdrola pays no taxes – NY wind turns into Spanish wine.
The PSC staff has a duty to provide a comprehensive public explanation for reversing their own policy. Even law judge Rafael A. Epstein backed off his balanced assessment and recommendations from his Iberdrola – Energy East evidentiary hearings. What is the reason for the total turnaround? What are the compelling public benefits in allowing Iberdrola to own, buy or develop unlimited industrial wind projects, when New York State is facing the most severe budget deficit since the great depression?
Energy East ratepayers and every NYS taxpayer will be looking at huge increases for the privilege of shipping offshore the profits from this utility. When did the purpose of the PSC morph into a facilitator for corporate transnational globalism?
It is crucial that the Public Service Commissars feel the heat. Contact each commissioner individually.
New York State Public Service Commission
Agency Building 3
Albany, NY 12223-1350
Phone: (518) 474-6530
Fax: (518) 486-6081
Case # 07-M-0906 IBERDROLA
Executive Office - Garry A. Brown, Chairman
Judith Lee, Acting Executive Deputy Phone: 518-473-4544
Hon. Jaclyn A. Brilling - Ethics/Secretary to the Commission secretary@dps.state.ny.us
Jodi Fansler has asked that comments be sent to her at: jodi_fansler@dps.state.ny.us
She has assured us that every e-mail will reach Chairman Brown.
Public Service Staff includes:
Andrew Davis, andrew_davis@dps.state.ny.us
Leonard VanRyn, leonard_vanryn@dps.state.ny.us
Steven Blow, steven_blow@dps.state.ny.us
On Wednesday August 27, 2008, the PSC is likely to vote on approval. Act now and demand that Iberdrola be prohibited from owning and operating industrial wind projects in NYS, and include the divestiture of current facilities. Be prepared to see your electric and tax bill take another steep hit, if you allow the PSC to grant preferential treatment for Iberdrola.
James Hall for the Citizen Power Alliance
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