Freeport Electric
A Basic History
Freeport Electric was established by public referendum in 1879. The Utility commenced operation in April 1898 and provided power for 24 carbon lights. As applications for electric service began to grow, the Utility developed a rate structure to meet demand. The rate structure looked something like this:
• Banks, stores, stables – ¾cent per light
• Hotels and saloons – ½cent per light
• Residential (10 lights and under) – $3.00 per month
Much has changed since 1898. Today, Freeport Electric serves a community of over 45,000 people with a customer base of approximately 15,000.
• Residential customers – 13,000
• Commercial/Industrial – 1,800
• Other – Municipal & Water – 200
The Utility operates two generating stations with a total installed capacity of 75,000KW and has a system peak of 60MW. The old interconnecting substation, with a capacity of 30MW, was decomissioned in 1997 and replaced with a new interconnecting substation located on Sunrise Highway. The new interconnecting substation was energized in December of 1996 and has a capacity of 84 MW. This substation operates 138kV, cost $10.5 million, is 100% redundant, and can be easily expanded in the future to carry up to 138MW.
Until the new substation was energized in late 1996, the Utility needed generation to meet its energy requirements on a daily basis. Currently, about 80% of the Utility's energy requirements are met with hydro power purchased from the New York Power Authority. However, continued low water flows on the Niagara River may reduce this in the future. Today, the Utility purchases energy whenever it is available as long as it can be purchased and transported for less money per kWh than generation.
Freeport Electric's energy costs are among the lowest on Long Island. Visit the Rates portion of Freeport Electric's website to see electric rates as of June 30, 2007.
Of the three municipal electric utilities on Long Island (Freeport Electric, Rockville Center and Greenport) Freeport Electric is the largest. All three of these utilities are members of a municipal and cooperative organization called the New York Association of Public Power (NYAPP). The NYAPP members work together to address legal issues and negotiate key power contracts. In addition, the Association members will assist each other in severe storm conditions. Freeport Electric has sent workers to Rochester, New York to assist in restoration activities. Freeport Electric has even asisted LIPA. In a time of need, most utilities will work together.
Personnel
Freeport has a dedicated work force committed to providing unparalleled service to the residents and businesses in Freeport. With a work force of sixty-two employees, the Utility operates and maintains seven generating units, reads 15,000 meters per month, processes 15,000 payments per month, addresses customer concerns, tests meters, maintains five substations and over 200 miles of electric wires and fifteen miles of 144 strand self–supporting fiber optic cable. In general, all engineering and design work associated with maintaining the electric system is done "in house". This is truly a remarkable work force.
Generation Stats
• 15,000 Electric Customers
• 13,000 Residential
• 1,800 Commercial
• Peak Load: 60MW
• Installed Capacity:82.6MW
• Interconnected Capacity: 190 MVA
• Average Retail Rate: 7.6cents/kWh
Plant Generation Specifics
Gen. CT2 GE LM6000