Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is calling on Governor Paterson to sign legislation approved by the State Assembly and Senate that would ensure more of profits from the Niagara Power Project stay here in Western New York. 
 
The Replacement and Expansion Power programs require low cost power be distributed to companies within 30 miles of the Niagara Power Project.  Western New York is allocated 695 megawatts of electricity annually under the Replacement Power and Expansion Power programs; yet a portion remains unused, leaving the Power Authority to monetize -- sell -- the remainder for its own benefit.

The State legislation (A8712 introduced June 4, 2009) passed by the Assembly on June 16 and the Senate on June 25, is similar to Higgins’ federal bill HR 2133 (introduced April 23, 2009), both of which require Replacement and Expansion Power profits generated by this community be reinvested into this region. 

 “The Niagara Power Project was intended to provide a direct benefit to this community but for too long the profits have flowed from our natural asset to other parts of the state and country,” said Congressman Higgins.  “This is another opportunity to reclaim what is uniquely ours and in return deliver an annual, long term boost to our local economy.”

In 2008 the New York Power Authority (NYPA) had a surplus of $309 million, 76% of which was derived from the Niagara Power Project.  NYPA’s own study found that only 14% of the economic benefit from the Niagara Power Project remains in WNY. 

Attached:  Higgins’ Letter to Gov. Paterson