Progressive Democrat Issue 123: NYC FOCUS: The Costs of Unreasonable Development Just Went Up

You have heard about Con Ed's plans to raise our utilities rates, right? I have head a whole range of amounts that they wish to stiff us for, despite the fact that their profits have been quite healthy. The lowest rate increase I have heard being proposed is 17%. This rate increase affects each and every New Yorker, in EVERY Borough, and is being done even though Con Ed's profits are high (1st quarter profits were $256 million -- up 41% from last year!).

Why this rate increase? Is it JUST another example of corporate greed? Well, yes. And that ALONE is a problem. And if you want to fight against the rate increase, groups like Power for the People is fighting the increase. But there is more. One of the SPECIFICALLY STATED REASONS for the increase is Bruce Ratner's huge overdevelopment plan, supported by corrupt backroom deals. Now, before we deal with that, let's review one single part of the problem with Ratner's plan. Bruce Ratner, who expects HUGE profits from his development plan, was the low bid on the project, bidding only $100 million while others bid more. Yet, as a buddy of then Governor Pataki's, Ratner got the contract for $100 million.

As has recently been pointed out by City Council Critters Letisha James and David Yassky, NEW YORK CITY (all of us, from EVERY Borough) is being asked by Mayor Bloomberg to PAY $100 million for land aquisition for Ratner. WE ARE PAYING TO BUY THE LAND FOR RATNER TO DEVELOP. Every taxpayer in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Brooklyn are being asked to ante up so Ratner can make his profit.

Now, if you thought THAT was bad enough, there is more. According to Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, Con Ed's rate increase for each and every New Yorker is partly due directly to Ratner's overdevelopment of Brooklyn. In some ways this is the first hint of just how excessive Ratber's plan is. The ENTIRE CITY has to suffer a rate increase in their utilities bills to fund Con Ed's developing the needed infrastructure to power Ratner's plans.

NY1 reports this from Con Ed:

Con Ed came before a State Assembly committee to explain the rate hike. Officials argued Wednesday the system is strapped and that massive projects like the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn will burden the system even more...

And yet, DDDB reminds us that WE WERE PROMISED IN THE PROCESS OF STATE APPROVAL OF RATNER'S PLAN, that:

The proposed project would increase demands on electricity and gas. However, relative to the capacity of these systems and the current levels of service within New York City, these increases in demand would be insignificant. Improvements are also proposed by Consolidated Edison and Keyspan with respect to the local electric and gas distribution grids that would improve service to the project site. In addition, new electrical and gas lines are proposed within the beds of streets that would be reconstructed as part of the proposed project. It is therefore concluded that the demands of the proposed project would not result in a significant impact on the supplies of electricity and gas in the region or the City as a whole, and with the proposed improvement to the distribution network, no impact would occur locally with respect to electrical or gas utilities. For these reasons, the proposed project is not expected to significantly adversely impact energy systems.

We were told SPECIFICALLY that Ratner's plan would NOT significantly affect our utilities. But Con Ed is telling us that Ratner's plan is SPECIFICALLY part of the reason why they have to raise our rates AT LEAST 17%. Who is lying? Ratner? Con Ed? Both? WHOEVER is lying, you and I are being asked to pay for the lie.

Visit Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn. Learn what they are doing. Write the City Council complaining BOTH about the $100 million we are ALL being asked to pay to buy the land for Ratner, AND for the rate increase Con Ed is passing on because of Ratner's plan. And write the media complaining of the money this private developer is stealing from YOUR WALLET.

If we don't stand up against this, we will be paying through the nose so Ratner can make a huge profit. Let's stop this nonsense.

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