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White Plains company's facilities to be located on West Shore
A White Plains-based energy company has received environmental approval to build two 79.9 megawatt power plants in an industrial section of the West Shore -- a move that officials say could help fill Staten Island's increasing demand for electricity and increase competitiveness among power companies.
Before giving Fortistar LLC the required permits to construct the facilities, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold a public hearing Jan. 8 at Community Board 2's Community Services Building, Sea View, and will solicit public written comments.
The planned gas-fired facilities -- one on the western end of South Avenue, Travis, on a parcel owned by Vanbro Construction Corp., the other on Chelsea Road in Chelsea at the former waste transfer station -- meet all air pollution control requirements enforced by the DEC, said department spokesman Michael Fraser.
In addition, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a negative declaration last month, meaning that the plants "will not result in any negative environmental impacts," according DEP spokeswoman Natalie Millner.
As a result, Fortistar will not have to complete an Environmental Impact Study, she said.
But some local residents are opposed to having a plant in Travis.
Last year, the Travis Civic Association circulated a petition declaring its opposition to this plant. The petition stated that the plant will create "serious and unwanted health hazards and will impact the quality of life."
Leaders of the association could not be reached yesterday.
If DEC grants Fortistar an operating permit, construction could begin next spring, with a completion date 12 months later. The plants could go online by the summer of 2005, according to Fortistar president Mark Comora.
The power plants will only operate during peak demand on weekdays in the summer, "not on weekends, not at night unless during unusual circumstances," Comora said.
It can be up and running in 10 minutes at times when the power grid demands it, he said.
With "very similar equipment" as an existing 47-megawatt turbine in Rosebank -- located about 30 feet from residential homes on Lynhurst Avenue and Bay Street -- the Travis facilities will be very efficient power generators with minimal emissions, Comora said.
"The main difference is, we won't be on top of people," he said.
The South Avenue plant would be about 2,200 feet from the nearest home and 4,600 feet -- nearly eight-tenths of a mile -- from the closest residential community; the Chelsea Road facility would be 4,600 feet from the closest house and 1.3 miles from the nearest residential community.
Kathy Dodd, district manager of Community Board 2, said Fortistar is "making every effort" to appease the community.
"We haven't really had many negative complaints," she said. "If they have to build a power plant, I guess this would be the location."
Ken Klapp, a spokesman for the New York Independent System Operator, said the new plants could drive down the cost of electricity and will help avoid price spikes during peak periods. The System Operator works to administer the competitive market for electricity and ensure the reliability of energy transmission.
Comora said its difficult to track exactly where the power generated at the Travis plants will go. But because it's generated on Staten Island, which is a "net importer of power," it will likely be transmitted to Island customers.
The Jan. 8 hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the Community Services Building, 469 Brielle Ave.
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