1. Q. Will you study PM 2.5 (fine particular matter)?

A. Yes, TGE's Article X  application includes a PM-2.5 study. The study uses approved air quality dispersion models and five years of meteorological data to assess impacts of PM-2.5 from the TGE facility.  The TGE plant will use the cleanest available fossil fuel, natural gas, with a very low sulfur oil backup.  On top of that, the plant will use state-of-the-art controls.  The PM-2.5 study concludes that TGE facility’s fine will not pose a public health risk.    

2. Q. Will there be any chemicals stored on the site?

A. There will be some chemicals stored on the site, including water treatment chemicals, lube oil for turbines and other machinery, and very low sulfur backup fuel oil.  Chemical storage, as well as oil storage will comply with federal, state and city fire code requirements.

3. Q. When will you switch to #2 fuel oil?  Will you switch to #2 oil at night?  How many tons of fuel oil does TGE estimate will be used per year?

A. TGE's proposed facility will run primarily on natural gas and will only use #2 fuel oil as a backup fuel, for instance during the coldest winter days when natural gas supplies are curtailed or when required by the New York Independent System Operator Rules for reliability reasons.  TGE will not switch to fuel oil during regular nighttime operation. TGE will be limited by permit so that only about 2% of the maximum potential electricity produced at the plant will be from fuel oil.

4. Q. Will you be presenting an alternative site in the Application?

A. No.  Article X and its regulations do not require a private applicant to evaluate an alternative site unless it owns or has an option to a parcel of land that could serve as a reasonable and available alternative to the proposed site. A private applicant is one that lacks the power of eminent domain.  TGE, unlike a traditional electric utility, lacks such condemnation authority. TGE has no legal interest in such a parcel of land other than the proposed site. The Article X application does present a site owned by an affiliated company in Syracuse, but that site is not found to be a reasonable alternative for the proposed facility.

5. Q. Will TGE pay the cost of site remediation for One North 12th St.?

A. Yes.  TGE has entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  TGE’s decision to clean up the site is not contingent upon obtaining any funding from any other party.  The site remediation and the construction of the proposed facility will be financed in tandem, and neither will occur without the other.

6. Q. Will TGE be at the site full time?

A. There will be one or more TGE representatives at the site for certain hours each week. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday 11AM to 1PM. Regardless of the hours, an appointment to meet at the site office can be made by calling one of the TGE telephone numbers or by filling out the comment form on TGE's website.

7. Q. Will TGE abandon its proposed project if the community opposes it?

A. TGE has received both support and opposition within the Greenpoint-Williamsburg community.  We will continue to work with the community to answer all legitimate and reasonable inquiries.  In the Article X application, TGE explains how it will establish funding for local projects through a Community Benefit Plan.  Supplemental funding will be made available for such projects as neighborhood recreational facilities, tree planting, off-site remediation of contaminated soils, a contribution to the establishment of new or enhanced waterfront access, housing and education. The New York City Economic Development Corporation typically coordinates such community benefit programs.