Letters: Future of power for Long Island

PSEG Long Island's assertion we do not need a new power plant is puzzling ["New plant not needed," News, Aug. 1]. Every month, significant "power supply charges" make up about half of my bill. The explanation of those charges can be found on PSEG's website: The power supply charge "recovers the cost of the electricity we buy from various electric power providers on behalf of our customers. In addition, the charge includes the cost of power purchased by us from independent power producers both on and off Long Island."

PSEG said it has enough power for Long Island for the next five years, but what the company failed to mention is it is buying power from other utilities, and this cost is passed on to Long Islanders. Would providing our own power in the long run make the cost cheaper and the supply more reliable?

The Long Island Power Authority had the same issues, but wasn't PSEG supposed to be an improvement? I wonder how invested PSEG is in Long Island. Its origin is not on Long Island, and the company has a 12-year contract that could expire. PSEG's appointment seems like a utility shell game in which Long Islanders lose, because a major issue like supplying reliable and cheap power to all Long Islanders is no more a priority to PSEG then it was to LIPA.

John Chiappino, Smithtown
 

I read with delight about PSEG Long Island's decision that Caithness II is not needed, and I hope the company sticks with that decision. The burning of fossil fuels for energy must slow down and eventually end for the future of our species.

I am employed by a Long Island solar installation company, and I am pleased to report the increased interest and demand we have seen. Many homeowners and businesses are getting on board with renewable energy.

I am also a member of Citizens Climate Lobby, which seeks to pass national legislation to put a tax on carbon energy at its source and return that money to homeowners all over the country. This could provide incentives for more renewables.

PSEG's use of on-bill financing will make the transition to solar power even easier ["Home energy loans powering up," News, Aug. 1].

Robert Meinke, Shirley