Senators to NYPA: Get back to the table

State Senators Patty Ritchie, Joe Griffo and George Maziarz, the Chair of
the State Senate’s Energy Committee,  today joined together to call on the
New York Power Authority to get back to the table, after NYPA abruptly
ended talks on benefits to local communities impacted by  the sprawling St.
Lawrence-FDR power dam.

“The shoreline communities sacrificed so much to make the St. Lawrence
Power Project possible, and the impact is still being felt today,” said
Senator Ritchie. “The Power Authority needs to reach a common sense
compromise that addresses the needs of these communities, and we are urging
that they get back to table to resume negotiations. It’s time to find
common ground.”

“The Power Authority has earned billions of dollars from its operations on
the St. Lawrence River, and these communities want nothing more than to be
treated fairly,” said Senator Griffo.

Both Senators Ritchie and Griffo also serve on the Senate Energy Committee.

“NYPA has an obligation to treat host communities equitably, whether they
are in Western or Northern New York,” said Senator Maziarz. “But if NYPA
won’t talk, they’re not living up to their end of the deal. It’s time to
get back to table and reach an equitable deal for the North Country.”

Local government leaders and the Power Authority have been conducting a
10-year review of the Massena dam’s 2002 relicensing agreement.

Critics say that deal shortchanged the North Country, compared to a similar
relicensing pact between NYPA and Western New York communities located near
the utility’s Niagara Project facility, and the differences have cost local
communities here millions of dollars.