Renewable solar power projects at John F. Kennedy International Airport gets a green light

New York City, New York, United States, 2019-Jan-21 — /Travel PR News/ — Agency’s plans to integrate more than 10 megawatts of solar power at John F. Kennedy International Airport will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing local low-income residents the opportunity to purchase clean energy at reduced rates

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) today (Jan 17, 2019) approved the Port Authority’s request to proceed with renewable solar power projects at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which will help the agency meet its aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals.

PSC’s action allows the Port Authority, in collaboration with New York Power Authority (NYPA), to move forward with plans to create more than 10 megawatts of on-site solar facilities at JFK, including a 5 megawatt solar generation facility that will offer power at reduced rates to nearby communities.

Residents, particularly those in low-income neighborhoods, would have first access to purchase solar-generated renewable energy at a reduced rate from their normal utility bill. The facility would be sited on a portion of JFK’s long-term parking lot.

“The implementation of Community Solar is growing and will now be accessible for homeowners and renters around John F. Kennedy International Airport,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The Port Authority will continue designing similar programs that are intended to support communities that seek renewable energy, while reducing emissions across the agency.”

“Creating a major solar power project is an important step for the Port Authority’s mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and what’s more, it will benefit the community surrounding JFK Airport,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Community Solar power at JFK builds on Governor Cuomo’s sustainability efforts at the state level, while enhancing the agency’s capability to be a good neighbor by helping nearby residents obtain more affordable and cleaner energy.”

“The Port Authority’s ambitious solar development plans represent a true success story,” said Public Service Commission Chair John B. Rhodes. “New York State has ambitious clean energy goals that require the smart, aggressive development of renewable energy. Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo announced the landmark Green New Deal which mandates 100% Clean Power by 2040. This Port Authority project will support achievement of these goals as well as promote the Commission’s interest in increasing access to clean energy in the local community.”

“The Port Authority has stepped up as a regional leader in reducing carbon emissions and helping combat climate change,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “This ruling removes regulatory uncertainty and allows NYPA to move forward with the Port Authority in the development of two solar generation facilities that will help JFK achieve its on-site renewable energy targets while supporting New York State’s overall policy goals.”

In New York State, Community Solar programs make clean, renewable, solar-generated energy available to those who otherwise could not afford to install a solar-powered generating system themselves. Low-income families, and/or those living in multi-unit residential housing are the intended recipients of these projects.

The project is part of the agency’s interim target to lower GHG emissions 35 percent by 2025 and long-term reduction goal of 80 percent by 2050. JFK’s solar initiative is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 4,374 tons annually.

In October 2018, the Port Authority Board embraced the Paris Climate Agreement, becoming the first transportation agency in the nation to do so. Soon after, the agency’s Office of Environmental and Energy Programs sought interest from developers for the JFK solar project in a Request For Information (RFI), which generated numerous positive responses.

Agency and NYPA officials asked PSC to approve a petition for the project due to lack of clarity in the applicable electricity tariff, which would have capped the JFK project to 5 megawatts of renewable energy production.

The Port Authority expects to develop the Community Solar project by entering into a lease agreement with a solar developer, which would construct a large solar array over a portion of JFK’s long-term parking lot. In addition to the 5 megawatt Community Solar project, the Port Authority will seek to develop an additional 5-8 megawatt solar system at the site for the Port Authority’s own consumption at JFK, which will support its vision for the new, best-in-class JFK development to exemplify green, sustainable design and operation.

The Community Solar developer would design, build, own, operate and maintain the system, and arrange for sale of the electricity to residents. Solar panels would be placed atop a canopy structure built over a portion of the parking area. The agency would receive a regular lease payment from the Community Solar developer. The Port Authority would enter into a Power Purchase Agreement for the portion of the development intended for its use at JFK.

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency’s network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.

Contact:
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
212-435-7777

Source: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

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