Senate acts to preserve low-cost hydropower for Niagara

According to State Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C, North Tonawanda), the Senate has unanimously passed legislation (S.1136) authorizing the availability of 445 megawatts of "replacement power" to businesses located within a 30 mile radius of the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

Maziarz said the need for this legislation stems from the expiration of the 1957 Niagara Redevelopment Act on December 31, 2005. This federal statute requires the sale of 445 megawatts of Niagara Project power to industries that formerly relied on low-cost power from the Schoellkopf Hydroelectric plant, which was destroyed by a rockslide in 1956. Without enactment of this legislation, there will be no authorization for the continued allocation of replacement power to the businesses that are currently contracted to receive it.

Current replacement power recipients employ more than 40,000 workers throughout the Buffalo Niagara Region and invest billions of dollars into the local economy, the senator said in a press release.

The bill is also being considered by the Assembly.