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NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION Attendance: Guests: Staff: Chairman John J. Gilbert III welcomed the Committee members and guests. He said the main agenda item is a presentation by New York City Economic Development Corporation Senior Vice President Gil Quiniones on the report of the Mayor’s Energy Policy Task Force. Mr. Quiniones chaired the Task Force, which included several Energy Committee members. Mr. Gilbert praised the report and everyone involved. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has endorsed the recommendations, which were discussed at a recent City Hall meeting. Mr. Quiniones distributed copies of a slide presentation, which he summarized for the Committee. He thanked Mssrs. Gilbert and Harkins for co-chairing the energy supply group of the Task Force and saluted all members for their extensive contributions. The Task Force found the current electricity resource picture in New York City to be “thin”, with a gap of approximately 2,600 MW over the next several years. Mr. Quiniones summarized 26 specific recommendations in four areas and highlighted progress to date on them. He said next steps include keeping the task force in formation to work on follow-up. In discussion, the Committee asked about the recent City Council oversight hearing. Mr. Quiniones and others thought the hearing went well considering the previous positions of several Council members. Mr. Gilbert asked whether the situation has improved since the Task Force issued its report. Mr. Quiniones said most projects are progressing, but there is not a great deal of additional good news. Financing still is a continuing problem. Mr. McGrath praised the report and suggested regular “report cards.” He also suggested that the Energy Committee could illustrate the longer-term energy requirements of economic development projects in the City, thereby connecting job growth with energy demand. He said New Yorkers seldom see the direct connection between energy and things directly important to them. Mssrs. Gilbert and Quiniones agreed, as did other members of the Committee. Mr. Marshal suggested that the Mayor have a permanent task force on energy that always could compute the energy requirements of economic development in the City. Following further discussion, the Committee endorsed Mr. McGrath’s proposal. Mr. Gilbert said that he would work with staff to retain consultant help on both the supply and demand projections. Before adjourning, Building Congress Lobbyist James McMahon reported on the situation with renewal of Article X of the New York State Public Service Law. He said positions among the Albany participants have hardened. Negative reaction to the New York Power Authority emergency generating plants has emerged in the State Assembly, and the environmental justice approach has gained support in the Assembly. He suggested that the solution may be to get the financial and labor communities more involved in the issue. Mr. Shapiro agreed with this assessment and endorsed the idea of involving wider constituencies in the issue. Before adjourning, Mr. Rudin suggested that the New York Clearing House Association be involved with the energy issue. Mr. Gilbert said the next committee meeting will address the new “matrix” that was raised at the meeting. This additional information will provide the Committee with further ammunition for addressing New York City’s energy future. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. with appreciation to Rudin Management for arranging the meeting location at Fleet Bank. Prepared by, Richard T. Anderson |
