Town gets 9 responses for energy proposals

The Town Board last week received four responses to a request for proposals for peak energy plants or energy storage facilities last Tuesday, and five responses to an RFP for renewable energy, such as solar energy.

Board members declined to get into specifics of the proposals, saying they can’t disclose who responded until they select one.

The town has set aside a 90-acre area at the Enterprise Park at Calverton for energy plants, and also is seeking solar proposals or fuel cells at the Youngs Avenue landfill site. Some of the responses sought to purchase land while others sought to lease, according to Councilman Jim Wooten.

“Hydrogen fuel cells seem to be the flavor of the day,” Mr. Wooten said. “There’s more return on your money and there’s a higher energy that’s created.”

The town RFP is in response to similar RFPs issued by LIPA, which has a March 31 deadline for submissions. In order for the town’s choice to move forward, it must be picked by the LIPA approval process.

Councilman George Gabrielsen had said prior to the opening of the proposals that he hoped the town would make about $2 million per year in rent from power companies, but he said on Tuesday that he can’t discuss numbers until the proposals are made public.

“I’m hoping for the best possible outcome,” he said.

Supervisor Sean Walter said the town might make decisions as to which companies it will submit to LIPA on Thursday.