Analysis of environmental and economic impacts of hydropower imports for New York City through 2050

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Date

2020-10-13

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Duke University Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

Abstract

Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC), a nuclear generating facility that has provided roughly 15 TW·h per year of low-emissions power to the New York City area, will close by 2021. There has been debate over the potential responses to the closure of IPEC which include the development of new generation and transmission infrastructure. This derives in part from difficulties in comparing direct and indirect costs and benefits and environmental and social impacts, which vary substantially across energy alternatives. In particular, the potential role of increased imports of hydropower from Canada to the New York City area has been controversial because of large upfront capital costs and uncertain benefits relative to alternatives such as increased build-out of Downstate New York offshore wind and solar.

Description

Keywords

hydropower, renewable energy, economic valuation

Citation

RSD Calder, ME Borsuk and CS Robinson (2020). ‘Analysis of environmental and economic impacts of hydropower imports for New York City through 2050’. Report to Quebec Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie. Durham, NC: Duke University Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. (Unformatted pre-publication proof.)