Although we have had a very warm winter and the transition to spring will not be as apparent, it is just around the corner. Every spring on Earth Day residents have the opportunity to partake in local activities as well as those on the state level. As the date draws closer we will be able to update you with many of the local activities. Once again, on Earth Day, April 22, everyone is invited up to the State Capitol in Albany from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to attend "Earth Day-Lobby Day 2002." Last year more than 400 participants voiced concerns that led to several new bills. This year key items include energy conservation, superfund sites, healthy school environments and open space funding. For more information please call 462-5526.

On another related note, many articles have appeared in the news recently concerning energy generation and distribution on Long Island. As you know, fuel is a finite resource widely used to generate electric power. Therefore, it is prudent for Long Islanders to keep abreast of all the issues regarding our energy purveyors. Recent issues include the proposed 250 megawatt plant on Spagnoli Road, approval and construction of several new 79 megawatt "peaking plants" (just beneath the 80 megawatt requirement for full environment impact studies), attempts for competitors to emerge as power brokers on the Long Island scene, the aged and inefficient LIPA distribution network, Governor Pataki's Draft NY State Energy Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and of most recent the debate over LIPA's Generation Purchase Right Agreement which provides LIPA a one-time option to purchase all of KeySpan's on island generating facilities.

Most concerning at this time is the continued support for KeySpan's proposed Spagnoli Road Energy Center despite the lack of a Long Island Energy Master Plan, violations in the Town of Huntington zoning requirements or a careful evaluation of alternate sources of energy, upgrades to the distribution system or repowering and expanding the capacities of the polluting older generation facilities in lieu of new construction.

On Jan. 30th, KeySpan filed an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Need in accordance with Article X of the Public Service Law. This recent filing initiates a 60-day period for the New York State Department of Public Service Siting Board to determine whether the application is complete. Once the application is deemed complete the siting board has one year to make a decision on the application.

With that in mind, the residents of Plainview-Old Bethpage who are logistically close enough to the plant to be adversely affected by any associated environmental pollution need to become as acquainted with the proposal as possible from the perspective of both the proponents and opponents. One of the opponents, (SHARED), the South Huntington Alliance for Responsible Energy Development is a coalition of local business opposed to the proposed power plant. SHARED enjoys the support of approximately 500 residents located in the Towns of Huntington, Babylon and Oyster Bay.

To learn more about this issue we recommend that you visit SHARED's website at www.lishared.org, KeySpan's website at www.keyspanenergy.com, Newsday's website www.newsday.com, and our own website at www.concernedcitizenspob.org.

To voice your opinion, please write letters to KeySpan, the New York State Department of Public Service, United States senators and congressmen, state assemblymen and state senators, the county executive and town supervisors (addresses are posted on our website). Please attend all local meetings and hearings. Most importantly, tell a friend.

Our environment depends upon us for its preservation and purity. Please be an advocate for the health and safety of our community and surrounding neighbors. Regardless of where you go on April 22, take a moment to appreciate our beautiful surroundings and think conservation!