Proposed contract extensions for the continued sale by the New York Power Authority ]of low-cost hydropower from the authority’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt power projects to three upstate utilities will be the subject of public hearings in September in Lewiston and Syracuse.
The NYPA Trustees last week approved the hearings in connection with the continued sale of 455 megawatts of firm power and 360 megawatts of firm peaking power through December 2010. The power, sold at cost-based rates, is provided to National Grid, New York State Electric and Gas, and Rochester Gas and Electric for their residential and small farm customers, under the state Public Authorities law.
Firm power is defined as power intended to be available at all times, while firm peaking power is generation to satisfy demand for electricity during hours of greatest usage.
The hydropower is provided to the utilities at rates typically 75 percent less than market prices, with the benefits passed onto the residential and small farm customers. The power is among the least-cost in the country.
In June 2008, the NYPA trustees extended the contracts with the utilities through December 2009. This followed contract extensions in 2007.
The proposed contract extensions, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, will be submitted to Gov. David A. Paterson for his consideration following the hearings. The hearings will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Niagara Power Project Power Vista at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston and on Sept. 2 at Syracuse City Hall.
The proposed agreements are available on NYPA’s Web site at www.nypa.gov by clicking onto the link “September Public Hearings on Hydro Contracts.”
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