George Borrello

State Senator George Borrello has introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of fossil fuels in the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment.

Borrello said emission-producing energy sources are often used to manufacture green energy sources like wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars.

He gave the examples of coal used to create steel for wind turbines and the extraction of rare earth minerals for solar panels.

Borrello said the environmental toll of production and delivery is at odds with the state’s climate agenda goals.

He also noted that the mining of rare earth minerals used in the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment sometimes involves child and slave labor.

Borrello’s legislation would require that the manufacture and distribution of electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar collectors and infrastructure to upgrade the power grid is conducted using only wind and solar energy and does not use any power derived from fossil fuels, nuclear energy or any form of combustion.

It is currently in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee for review.

The bill would require developers of industrial solar and wind farms to provide a reclamation bond to ensure the proper decommissioning, reclamation, or recycling of wind turbines and solar panels once they have reached the end of their useful life.

Senator Borrello said the legislation is about “protecting landowners, taxpayers, and the environment. Wind turbines and solar panels are made from toxic materials that are notoriously difficult to recycle. In fact, they typically bury or grind up the huge turbine blades because there is no way to separate the thermoplastic and carbon fiber used in their construction. A bond to cover these costs should be posted at the beginning of these projects.”

The bill will require applicants for permits from the Public Service Commission and from the Office of Renewable Energy Siting for solar and wind projects to provide bonds “in an amount sufficient to ensure proper reclamation of the solar or wind project at the end of its useful life.”

Originally airing Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.

WRFA public affairs director Jason Sample talks with Tom Meara, a local resident who recently installed solar panels on his home. Meara and his wife are believed to be the first BPU residential costumers to install solar panels and send the energy that is connected to the local power grid.

Meara walks us through the process of installing solar panels, from hiring a contractor to install them to receiving rebates from New York State once they’ve been purchased and added to the home. He also talks about the BPU metering system, which allows the BPU to track the amount of power he provides to the grid, which is then deducted from his monthly electric bill.