LI’s Cleanest Power-Generating Plant to Become Even Cleaner, Helping to Address the Critical Issue of Climate Change

LONG ISLAND’S CLEANEST POWER-GENERATING PLANT TO BECOME EVEN CLEANER, HELPING TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
NYSERDA contract with Caithness will improve regional air quality by reducing greenhouse gases, consistent with Governor Cuomo’s call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 
Reduced emissions will also save LIPA ratepayers millions of dollars in emissions credit costs
YAPHANK, NY  January 4, 2016  Caithness Long Island, LLC, owner of the 350-megawatt (MW), combined-cycle, natural-gas-fired Caithness Long Island Energy Center, has been awarded a contract through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The NYSERDA award is consistent with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s recent pledge to lead the nation in addressing climate change, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40% from 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% by 2050. The Governor was joined by former Vice President Al Gore on October 8, 2015, in announcing new actions to reduce greenhouse gas.
The NYSERDA award, which Caithness received through a competitive “Request for Proposal” (RFP) process, will enable the company to lessen the amount of CO_2 output by approximately 4,000 tons per year. This will be accomplished by an upgrade to more technologically advanced turbine components, which will result in greater overall efficiency in how natural gas is used in the Caithness plant to generate electricity. The upgrade was completed in December 2015, coinciding with planned maintenance at the plant which produces more energy than any other unit on Long Island.
The Caithness plant, which began commercial operations in August 2009, is Long Island’s newest and most efficient power plant, and is among the cleanest burning in the state. It consistently operates significantly below its air permit limits  which are among the most stringent in the United States. Caithness’s nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are 45% below its strict permit levels, its carbon monoxide (CO) emissions are more than 94% below its strict permit levels, and its volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions are 74% less than what its permit allows.
Since becoming operational, Caithness has already contributed to reducing CO₂ emissions by 2.5 million tons, saving Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) ratepayers more than $7.8 million in emissions credit costs, based upon emissions costs LIPA would have incurred had it relied solely upon its existing fleet of power plants, most of which are many decades old.
“We are honored that Caithness Long Island Energy Center has been selected as a participant in this important program to reduce New York State’s greenhouse gas footprint,” said Ross Ain, President, Caithness Long Island. We look forward to working with NYSERDA to further enhance the plant’s capability to make an even greater contribution to help meet the State’s clean energy goals and ensure that Long Island’s most modern electric generating facility continues to produce environmental benefits in the years ahead.
The Caithness plant is the cleanest, most efficient fossil fueled-fired plant operating on Long Island and among the cleanest in New York State.
About Caithness Long Island, LLC
Caithness Long Island, LLC, is a subsidiary of Caithness Energy, LLC, a privately held, New York-based independent power producer. For over 25 years, Caithness has been a pioneer in the development of clean, reliable energy. More information can be found at www.caithnesslongisland.com.
 
Contact: Don Miller
West End Strategies, Ltd.
516-330-1647
[email protected]