Business and Labor Leaders Launch Electricity
Advocacy Group

A diverse coalition of 17 business and labor groups, including New York Building Congress, New York City Central Labor Council, The Business Council of New York State, Boilermakers Local 5, General Contractors Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, New York City Partnership, and the African American Environmental Association, came together on November 5 to launch the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA).  New York AREA recognizes that downstate and New York City’s economic prosperity will depend on how effectively energy issues are addressed.  With the New York Independent System Operator having recently warned that, “New York remains headed toward a very serious power shortage unless it acts immediately,” New York AREA’s mission is timely and important. 

New York AREA’s initial actions are to support the continued operation of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan (Westchester County), New York, which provides 20 to 30 percent of the electricity used in New York City and several downstate counties.  At the group’s inaugural meeting, Rudolph Giuliani discussed security at the plants and the rigorous testing and procedures in place.  New York AREA also supports an extension of the Article X power plant sitting law, which is necessary to facilitate new power plant construction.