We will facilitate the construction of 2,000 to 3,000 MW of supply capacity by repowering old plants, constructing new ones, and building dedicated transmission lines
Achieving clean and reliable energy will require upgrading, expanding, and replacing much of our current energy supply. Between now and 2015, the City will pursue three strategies to increase supply from cleaner power plants. (See chart above: Electricity Prices Across the Region; see case study on facing page: East River Repowering)

First, we can maximize existing power plant sites, either by building additional generation facilities within the existing site or modernizing the plant's technology. This process, known as "repowering" can increase efficiency up to 40% and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing old turbines will also improve local air quality. The City will explore opportunities to facilitate in-city repowering that offers significant addi tional capacity and achieves immediate local air quality improvements.

Our second option is to build new plants on new sites. New construction costs about the same or less than repowering, but land is limited and construction costs in New York City remain high compared to the surrounding region.

Our final option is to build power plants outside city limits that are completely dedicated to providing electricity to the New York City grid. By controlling the types of plants constructed and connecting those plants directly to the city grid, we can ensure that we do not import energy from dirtier sources such as conventional coal plants.

All three of these options will provide a cleaner energy supply that is also cheaper to run. Through the New York City Energy Planning Board described above, we will help facilitate the issuance of long-term contracts to encourage new plants that are sensitive to communities.

We will also work actively with a broad range of community stakeholders to advocate for the re-enactment of Article X, which established a single streamlined process for reviewing all permitting and siting issues for power plants.

Progress (as of 4/22/08):
In September and in March, the City filed testimony in the Con Edison Electric rate case and the Con Edison Steam rate case advocating for further analysis of repowering the Hudson Avenue Steam Plant to be able to generate both steam and electricity. The City also asked Con Edison to evaluate transmission capacity in and around the city. KeySpan/National Grid, whose merger was approved on August 22, agreed to work with Con Edison on the transmission study. To further promote new, clean capacity, on October 1, the City announced its contingent support of US PowerGen's proposed repowering in Sunset Park on the condition the company proved an enforceable net environmental improvement to both the neighborhood and the city. The City will work closely with the local community in Brooklyn and US PowerGen to ensure that the net positive environmental impacts are realized. In addition, the City will continue to advocate for the reenactment of the State's power plant siting law, Article X, and the approval of the NYC Energy Planning Board through the PSC's Long-Term Planning and Supply Portfolio hearings.

Progress (as of 10/22/08):
In April, the New York Power Authority announced the winner of its request for proposals for a new 500 megawatt combined cycle power plant, SCS Astoria 2, in exchange for a power purchase agreement. This contract is on behalf of Southeast New York government entities, including the City of New York.