transmission lines

Will New Capacity Zones in NY Help Transmission Needs?

Feb. 7, 2014
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the New York Independent System Operator, the nonprofit operator of the state’s transmission grid, are looking to implement a new capacity zone in May.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the New York Independent System Operator, the nonprofit operator of the state’s transmission grid, are looking to implement a new capacity zone in May, creating a separate energy market for Westchester County and the lower Hudson Valley. The goal is to address reliability needs by stimulating investment of private capital for the development of new energy resources, resulting in significant economic benefits for the region.

The new capacity zone, as well as the continued operation of Indian Point, would reduce the need for new transmission lines. Unfortunately, the state Public Service Commission is opposing the new capacity zone while championing the significant expansion of transmission infrastructure. And the state continues to legally oppose the license renewal of Indian Point, which generates 10 percent of the state’s power, even though the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has given the plant its highest safety rating for nine years.

While some transmission improvements are necessary, they are not the full answer to the challenges being faced. Simply put: the continued operation of Indian Point and new investment in power plants in downstate New York lessens the need for new power lines in Dutchess County and surrounding regions.

About the Author

Matthew Cordaro, PhD | Trustee at Long Island Power Authority

Dr. Matthew C. Cordaro, whose career spans many years as a senior executive in the utility industry, an educator, scientist and researcher in the fields of business, energy and environment, most recently was the Dean of the Townsend School of Business at Dowling College. Before moving over to Dowling he was at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in the College of Management where over his tenure he served in a number of high level administrative, academic and research positions. Dr. Cordaro has served as the Chairman of the Suffolk County Legislature’s Utility Oversight Committee and recently was appointed by the New York State Assembly Leader to the Long Island Power Authority’s Board of Trustees.  

Just prior to joining Long Island University Dr. Cordaro served as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Midwest Independent System Operator (Midwest ISO) based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the largest independent transmission system operator in the nation. Today the Midwest ISO is responsible for electric reliability and markets covering 57,000 miles of transmission lines and 150,000 Megawatts of electric generation and clears over 23 billion dollars in energy transactions, over an area exceeding 200,000 square miles, and extending into 13 states and one province of Canada.

Previously, Dr. Cordaro was employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nashville Electric Service, one of the ten largest public electric utilities in the nation.  He also previously served as President of Long Lake Cogeneration Corporation and as Senior Vice President of Long Lake Energy Corporation, a major alternative energy  producer.  For 22 years he was with Long Island Lighting Company, a major investor-owned utility, finally holding the position of Senior Vice President of Operations, Engineering, and Construction.

Dr. Cordaro is currently a member of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance’s advisory board. He is a past member of the board of directors of the Electric Power Research Institute, the American Public Power Association, and the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee, and has served on the editorial advisory boards of World Transmission and Distribution magazine and the Long Island Business News. Dr. Cordaro has also testified many times before congressional and state legislative committees and is frequently sought by the media for expert commentary.

Dr. Cordaro holds a Ph.D. in Physics and Engineering from Cooper Union, an M.E. in Nuclear Engineering from New York University, a B.S. in Engineering Science from C. W. Post College and completed the Executive Management Program at the University of Michigan.  He has also been an Atomic Energy Commission Fellow, a Guest Research Associate at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Polytechnic Institute of New York and C. W. Post College.  Dr. Cordaro has also authored many publications on education, business, energy, environment and utility issues.

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