I am a retired business rep for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 97. This union represents the employees of National Grid, as well as those who lost their jobs at the Huntley and Dunkirk Power Plants.

Another IBEW Local represented the employees who lost their jobs at the shuttered Somerset Power Plant — all three in Western New York.

The solution to the lost power plant in Dunkirk led to the construction of a massive substation in southwest New York and the Dunkirk plant ceased operation the minute the substation was energized to import Pennsylvania power to fill the void. The PJM electricity is generated generally from 65% fossil fuel. To the north, a dramatic increase in imports from Ontario filled the void of the lost Huntley and Somerset power plants.

In addition to the lost jobs and tax revenues, we warned against the continued deterioration of New York energy independence and an over-reliance on imports to keep our lights on and industries operating.

Now we read and hear about the incoming president and tariff threats against Canada, and the reaction that Ontario may very well suspend power exports into Western New York — which as of this writing is 1,000 MW (NYISO).

New York did upgrade a major transmission line that runs from Niagara County to the new substation near Pennsylvania that will accommodate more imports from the PJM system, but that rubs directly against the CLCPA NYS law mandating emission reductions, and it is doubtful that an additional 1,000 MW of capacity can be wheeled through the upgraded transmission line. If the lights stay on — prices will skyrocket.

Western New York, the home of the birthplace of electricity is now in a “keep your fingers crossed” hope that cooler heads will prevail and stave off a calamity brought on by a refusal to value home-grown energy independence.

Electricity is a commodity taken for granted — until the power goes out, and then danger is immediate and the stress is measured in minutes.

New Yorkers deserve energy policies delivered by experts, not extremists who scream the loudest to influence elected leaders.

Gus Potkovick, IBEW Local 97 (retired), is a Fredonia resident.