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The Charles Poletti Power Project
Under the terms of an agreement announced in 2002, the Charles Poletti Project will cease operations effective January 31, 2010. Read More
The Charles Poletti Power Project is located in Astoria, Queens, across the East River from Manhattan's skyscrapers. It is named for the only person to serve as both Governor of New York and a Power Authority trustee
Poletti's "dual fuel" capability
The Power Authority purchased the Poletti unit, then known as Astoria 6, from Con Edison in 1974, when the oil-fueled plant was still under construction. The facility began generating electricity in 1977; by 1980, a conversion was completed that allowed it to use either oil or natural gas. This “dual-fuel” capability allows the Power Authority to switch back and forth, depending on fuel availability, pricing and other considerations. The project was named after Charles Poletti in 1982.
Who benefits most?
The Poletti plant, which has a nameplate capacity of 825 megawatts (mw) and a new 500-mw combined-cycle power plant built directly next door, enable the Power Authority to meet the electricity requirements of its large government customers in New York City, who save hundreds of millions of dollars a year in lower energy costs by using NYPA-generated electricity. They include tax-supported schools, hospitals, municipal buildings, and the metropolitan region’s subways and commuter trains.
Because NYPA’s new combined-cycle facility is cleaner and more efficient than many older power plants in the city, plans are under way to eventually close NYPA’s original Poletti plant. Pursuant to an historic agreement reached among NYPA, New York City officials and local environmental groups, the 825-mw Poletti plant will cease operations no later than Jan. 31, 2010.
In addition to this agreement, the Power Authority has taken many other steps to improve the air quality around New York City. Besides making technical and operational changes involving its Astoria facilities, NYPA has also invested heavily in energy efficiency and clean air initiatives, spending hundreds of millions of dollars in all five boroughs of New York. The projects reduce electricity usage, save taxpayer dollars and also limit greenhouse gas emissions. These benefits, along with low-cost power, are examples of how the Power Authority serves the people of New York City without the use of tax monies or state credit.