Frequently Asked Questions

  1. PROJECTS
  2. OPERATIONS
  3. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS - AIR
  4. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS - WATER
  5. VISUAL
  6. LAND USE
  7. TRAFFIC
  8. NOISE
  9. REGULATORY APPROVALS
  10. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

PROJECTS

  1. What is the South Pier Improvement Project?
  2. Who is going to develop, own and operate this project?
  3. Why is the South Pier Improvement Project needed?
  4. How is this project different from previous power infrastructure projects on the Sunset Park waterfront?
  5. What is a load pocket?
  6. What is the Staten Island/Greenwood sub-load pocket?
  7. What developments in the Gowanus/Greenwood area increase the need for upgrades at facilities such as the Gowanus Generating Station?
  8. What type and size electric generating units are proposed?
  9. What fuel will be used to generate electricity?
  10. What is the project schedule?
  11. Who is going to pay for this project?
  12. How will the electricity from this project impact ConEd rates?
  13. Who is going to pay for these projects?
  14. How will the electricity from this project impact ConEd rates?

OPERATIONS

  1. When will these units be used?
  2. Will there be any change in the use of existing units at Gowanus Generating Station Generating Station or other USPowerGen facilities?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS - AIR

  1. What environmental benefits are expected?
  2. How do you know they will be achieved?
  3. How will they be measured?
  4. How are the improvements calculated?
  5. Will environmental performance be enforceable by a regulatory agency?
  6. Where will these benefits be realized?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS - WATER

  1. What water resource impacts are anticipated with these units?
  2. Will water be used in the routine operations and from what source?
  3. Will there be discharges of any type into the Gowanus Canal?
  4. Will there be discharges of any type into the public wastewater system?
  5. Will there be any steam discharges from these units with any freezing impacts in the winter on roads or adjacent properties in the winter?

VISUAL

  1. What does the unit look like?
  2. Will there be any tall stacks?
  3. Will the project be visible from the community?
  4. Will the project be visible from the waterway?
  5. Will the project be visible from the Manhattan waterfront?
  6. Will there be any measures taken to screen these facilities from community or water views?

LAND USE

  1. Is the project allowed under current zoning?
  2. Will the project comply with the City’s Waterfront Revitalization Program?
  3. What are the immediate surrounding land uses?
  4. How close is the project to the nearest residential housing?
  5. Will any undisturbed, undeveloped “green fields” be used for this project?

TRAFFIC

  1. Will the project generate any new traffic to the Gowanus Generating Station site?
  2. How does traffic including staff and deliveries access the proposed project at the Gowanus Generating Station?

NOISE

  1. What noise might result from these new facilities, either from operations or new traffic?
  2. Will there be a change in noise from existing conditions, particularly in local residential neighborhoods?

REGULATORY APPROVALS

  1. What approvals will be required and by what agencies?
  2. What is this environmental review process?
  3. How can the community participate in the regulatory approval process?

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

  1. How do I stay informed?
  2. How can I reach the project team with comments or questions?