“Good afternoon. I want to thank Presiding Examiner Garlin, Associate Examiner Casutto - and the people of Brooklyn - for the opportunity to participate in this initial public hearing on a matter that has vital significance for the future development of the Borough of Brooklyn, which, at 2.5 million residents, is the largest county in New York State.

“Today marks the commencement of the most important stage of this ‘Article X’ Proceeding – the time when the numerous parties in interest, in particular those who live, work and own businesses in the surrounding communities and, indeed, throughout the Borough and the City, have their say in examining, questioning and presenting evidence regarding TransGas Energy’s proposal to site an 1,100 megawatt power plant on one of Brooklyn’s most precious and underutilized resources - the Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront.

“As a party to this proceeding -- in partnership with the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Waterfront Task Force, I am here today to underscore for the Public Service Commission and the Department of Environmental Conservation the tragic results that the granting of this application will have on the quality of life, growth and prosperity of Brooklyn. I know that in the coming months innumerable lawyers, engineers, planners and other experts will present you and the Siting Board with a record that will be as complex as it is voluminous. So today, I would like to speak in laymen’s terms – Brooklynese if you will – as to why the TGE proposal is, in a word, a TURKEY.

“First, let’s take a look at the environmental and health burdens that the residents of Williamsburg and Greenpoint already are forced to tolerate. They now live in proximity to:

“A fossil fuel burning plant, no matter how cleanly and efficiently it is operated, will contribute even more pollution to this neighborhood. You simply cannot force people, who are incredibly worried about the air they breathe every day, to now live next to an enormous power plant.

“Second, this proposal is completely incompatible with the current and planned land uses for the neighborhood. I do not need to tell the audience that this proposal conflicts with the intent of the neighborhood’s two 197-A plans. Those plans call for a mix of desperately needed open space, high-performance manufacturing and residential uses. Those Plans were the fruit of years of detailed and comprehensive study and, most importantly, represent a true consensus as to how these neighborhoods, long neglected, should grow to serve all New Yorkers. The plans were crafted to protect the neighborhood from uses just like the one that is the subject of today’s hearing.

“Third, this proposal is incompatible with the Department of City Planning’s rezoning proposal for the waterfront blocks north of the site. Believe me, commercial and residential development, of the sort envisioned on the waterfront by City Planning, will never work with a power plant towering over the neighborhood. That’s why the Administration is now on record in joining me and all other local elected officials in opposition to this project. And it cannot be disputed that a power plant is not a suitable backdrop for an Olympic beach volleyball venue. Certainly, there are precious few other sites that have the vistas, the proximity to Manhattan, and the potential for excellent water-born public transportation, as does this site.

“Fourth, I think that we can achieve the twin goals to which your agencies are committed – clean air and energy sufficiency – with energetic conservation and comprehensive planning, while at the same time letting our vision for the Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront be realized.

“First, and I would emphasize this to Governor Pataki as he sets the mission for your agencies, the State must have a Comprehensive Energy Plan. Why do we in Brooklyn have to do battle, time and time again, in response to the ad hoc sitings of power plant after power plant after power plant? Enough is enough. Don’t ask us to accept another one until the State produces a document that tells us exactly how it will work with the City to carefully assess and plan for our energy needs.

“Second, I would remind the Governor that his reputation as a champion of the environment mandates the adoption of the country’s most vigorous energy conservation policies. The Governor must ask everyone to turn off the lights before he asks us to turn on another Brooklyn power plant. While conservation can begin at home, there is also much to be done at the municipal level to save energy.

“Third, the State must increase the proportion and siting of renewable energy sources. How many fewer power plants would we need if the State and the City provided incentives for developers to build energy efficient buildings? How many fewer power plants would we need if solar energy were incorporated into all new municipal construction? Let’s hear more from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority about what they’ve been doing to promote energy conservation and efficiency. Let’s hear more about their research concerning alternative energy sources and how new measures can be implemented in New York City.

“Fourth, the Governor must to be more forthcoming on energy issues. We need more information. We are fully capable of understanding information about capacity, demand and projected demand. We want more information about energy demand and supply so that we – the people of Brooklyn -- can work with the Governor on comprehensive planning and conservation efforts.

“Finally, we need to make sure that energy suppliers think about neighborhoods and not simply profit. California has shown us that the deregulation of the energy market is not always a smooth process and does not always protect consumers. The profit motive does not always work in the interest of the public good. New York’s State’s newly deregulated energy market needs scrutiny and needs government intervention, particularly when it comes to siting decisions.

“After years and years of enormously difficult work, Williamsburg – Greenpoint is on the verge of achieving something many thought was impossible – turning a polluted and long neglected piece of property into something truly spectacular for everyone to enjoy. In a ‘New York minute,’ this power plant would turn our dreams into a nightmare.

“I know that if any Brooklynites display what I call “The Brooklyn Attitude,” it’s the hearty denizens of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. By tradition, they set an example for the country in standing up for themselves and their communities. They won’t be tread upon by corporations, like TransGas, looking to make a fast buck. Be it the takeover of the People’s Firehouse in 1975 or the defeat of this power plant, they know how to stand their ground, arms linked, to protect their neighborhoods.”