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‘THE SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER STATE OF NEW YORK ‘commmrTEES. FOR SENATE/ASSEMBLY RELATIONS [ALCOHOLISM 6 DRUG ABUSE. (CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME 6 CORRECTION [CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM. PARKS & RECREATION ENERGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS FINANCE, SENATOR PATTY RITCHIE HIGHER EDUCATION May 24, 2016 48TH DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ‘OSWEGO, JEFFERSON, ST. LAWRENCE COUNTIES TRANSPORTATION ‘SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL RESOURCES Honorable Audrey Zibelman Chairwoman New York State Public Service Commission Empire State Plaza Agency Building 3 Albany, NY 12223 Dear Chairwoman Zibelman and Members of the Board: I would like to thank the Public Service Commission for providing the greater Oswego community with an opportunity today to offer their views on how New York State can expand its renewable energy generation. New York’s proposed Clean Energy Standard shows our aggressive commitment to achieving 50 percent renewable energy generation by 2030. However, to attain this important goal, we must prevent the premature closure of Upstate nuclear facilities to avoid backtracking on the important emission reductions we have already achieved. It’s important that our long term energy plan promotes fuel diversity, system reliability, promotes Upstate’s economic development and protects energy consumers from price volatility. To achieve the 50 percent renewable standard by 2030, we must preserve New York’s nuclear facilities, which produce up to 30 percent of the energy consumed in New York State and provide the important 24/7 capacity and system reliability critical to our statewide energy system. Recently, a Brattle Group report showed Upstate New York’s three nuclear energy power plants benefit the region—and the state—in a number of ways, including: ‘© Adding $3.16 billion to the state’s gross domestic product; © Accounting for nearly 25,000 direct and indirect full time jobs; REPLY TO: ALBANY OFFICE: KOOM 4 LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING, ALBANY, NEW YORK 127 (8) 52088 JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICE: 317 WASHINGTON STREET, ROOM 48 WATERTOWN, NEW YORK 14 (31) 72:38, 1 OSWEGO COUNTY OFFICE: 4 EAST BRIDGE STREET, FIRST FLOOR, OSWEGO, NEW YORK 126 (15) 20-2057 ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY OFFICE; 190 FORD STREET, OCDENSBURG, NEW YORK 1969 (5) 97-904 EMAIL: RETCHIE@NYSENATE.COV WERSITE, WWW RITCHIE NYSENATE.GOV ° ‘© Contributing $150 million in net state tax revenues annually, which benefits our local schools and other institutions; and * Reducing energy costs by $1.7 billion per-year. Lam certain that over the course of your hearings, you will hear many reasons why clean energy is important to New York State. Here in Oswego however, it’s about more than clean energy—it’s about saving the FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, a facility responsible for supporting 600 well-paying jobs, generating $18 million in property tax revenue annually and having an overall $500 million impact on our local economy every year Recently, I was proud to advocate for $100 million in the Senate's one house budget that would help speed up proposed tax credits for renewable energy producers. This funding, which was intended as a bridge until the Clean Energy Standard was implemented, clearly shows the Senate Majority's commitment—including the commitment of senators from across New York State who know how important the facility is to not only our region’s economy, but also our state’s economy—to protecting FitzPatrick. While the economic benefits of Upstate nuclear plants cannot be overstated, the personal connection people of the region I represent have with these plants is in many cases of equal importance. Simply put, for many individuals and families, these plants are part of the fabric of Oswego County. In recent months, Assemblyman Will Barclay and I have collected signatures on a petition to protect FitzPatrick and Upstate nuclear energy jobs. To date, more than 4,000 individuals have signed on to show their support. ‘And, not only have they signed, they also shared personal stories. From current employees who told of their rewarding careers producing safe, reliable energy and individuals who because of a nuclear energy job, have been able to raise families in Central New York, to teachers who know how devastating it would be if tax dollars generated as a result of nuclear plants were taken out of their classroom, these stories have illustrated just how vital the nuclear power plants of Upstate New York are to our region. Today, I'm pleased to present you with these signatures, which represent a community that not only values nuclear energy, but is also ready and willing to support its growth. While I believe it is critical to embrace the contribution of nuclear as New York adopts its Clean Enerey Standard, it’s also important to address necessary upgrades to transmission, which will allow Upstate energy to flow to power-starved communities—especially those downstate. In recent years, New York State has increased its reliance on imported electricity, which translates to missed economic opportunities. I believe that the Public Service Commission should set a goal of increasing the amount of New York-produced electricity to help support jobs, while at the same time increasing the reliability and security of New York’s transmission system. ‘Thank you for providing me an opportunity to offer my views. Sincerely, Cb Patty Ritchie State Senator

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