January 19, 2016
by Peggy Kurtz and Gale Pisha
Rockland activists won a major victory for the environment on December 17 with the defeat of a massive desalination proposal for the Hudson River. As soon as the news hit the internet, one of our friends called immediately to ask, “Is this a true victory?” This was, indeed, a groundbreaking decision by the Public Service Commission! But these things are never simple.
What did we get - and what didn’t we get?
In this decision, the Public Service Commission (PSC) ordered Suez to formally abandon plans to desalinate Hudson River water for Rockland County’s drinking water and instead work with the community on greener, less expensive water sources.
For eight years the Sierra Club and other citizen and environmental groups have fought Suez’s desalination plan because of potential harm to irreplaceable river habitat, concerns about drinking water drawn 3.5 miles downstream from a leaking nuclear power plant, and increased greenhouse gas emissions from energy intensive desalination.
Following this decision, ratepayers will still have a battle ahead over the $40-plus million surcharge for desalination planning costs. We also will still need to hire experts to ensure that the company plans are the best they can be. And yes, we have our work cut out for us to realize a full conservation plan here in Rockland.
But this decision means that the community can now concentrate on creating a sustainable water policy, rather than fighting desalination.
After 8 years, what did we win?
What we achieved here was something remarkable: a huge David-and-Goliath victory that stopped a bad proposal from the second biggest water company in the world. This was an empowering victory for citizens, working with a coalition of professional groups, elected officials, and experts. Sierra Club and other activists were key to this victory.
Here’s some of what we accomplished:
- We brought the issue of public accountability for state agencies to the fore.
- We have forged an invaluable partnership among local environmentalists, and a close working relationship with regional environmental groups and elected officials. These relationships have already proven their effectiveness on other issues, such as stopping the development of a casino in Sterling Forest and, now, the Pilgrim Pipeline.
- Most important, we are helping change water policy. With this decision, the PSC has taken the first steps toward a water policy that looks beyond big, energy intensive construction projects, such as desalination, in favor of more energy-saving, climate-resilient and holistic solutions. The PSC is currently in the midst of finalizing REV, a big, sweeping package of energy reforms, and it anticipates that a big water re-envisioning is next. So the PSC is watching the work of the Rockland County Water Task Force closely.
What’s ahead?
Everything we have accomplished was to get us to this point, where we can put our energy and resources into creating a sustainable water policy.
Now the challenge is for Rockland County to build a model water policy based on green solutions, such as conservation, efficiency, repair of leaking pipes, and smaller supply sources. We will also need a vigorous and sophisticated public education program to foster a strong water conservation ethic.
We will also need to continue to retain experts to review Suez’s plans to be sure we are able to achieve the high goals set by the PSC decision.
Join us in this next phase of the work! Learn more about the issue and how you can help at sierralowerhudson.org and www.sustainablerockland.org.
Peggy Kurtz and Gale Pisha are co-chairs of the Lower Hudson Group Desalination Committee.