Schumer Calls for Expedited Approval of New License for Green Island Hydroelectric Project - Move Would Increase Plant's Generation Capacity by Eight Times, Create 300 Local Construction Jobs and Attract Permanent Employers to the Area

Press Release

SCHUMER CALLS FOR EXPEDITED APPROVAL OF NEW LICENSE FOR GREEN ISLAND HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT - MOVE WOULD INCREASE PLANT'S GENERATION CAPACITY BY EIGHT TIMES, CREATE 300 LOCAL CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND ATTRACT PERMANENT EMPLOYERS TO THE AREA

Green Island Power Authority Needs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to Approve New License for $100 Million Project

License Would Allow Plant to Begin Construction to Better Harness Renewable Energy, Provide New Public Access to the Hudson River, and Attract Companies to Green Island

To Provide an Economic Boost to the Local Economy, Schumer Urges FERC to App

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he will call on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expedite the Green Island Power Authority's (GIPA) application for the relicensing of the Green Island Hydroelectric Project. A new license for the facility will increase the power generation of the plant by 800 percent, provide new public access to the river for fishing and viewing, and help create 2,000 jobs, including 300 local construction jobs. Over 1,000 jobs have been created at nearby Green Island Industrial Park as a result of access to GIPA's low cost power, and the millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements funded by revenue from the existing plant

"Approval of this application will allow us to produce more clean power, create hundreds of jobs and provide access to area fisherman," said Schumer. "Moving this process forward is obviously in the best interest of everyone in the community, and I will do everything I can, working with GIPA and FERC, to ensure that the application is reviewed as soon as possible."
"This project is an exciting continuation and vital component of the economic renaissance that our community has experienced over the last few years," said Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan. "Between the vision of Henry Ford in 1922 and our partnership with allies like Senator Chuck Schumer, Green Island's contribution to the economic development of the entire Capital Region looks very promising."

The Green Island Power Authority (GIPA) is a public power authority that was created by an act of the New York State Legislature in 1986. The project is located on the Hudson River, adjacent to the Federal Dam and lock that spans between the Village of Green Island and the City of Troy and marks the upstream end of the tidal section of the Hudson River.
To continue operation of the plant, the GIPA applied for a new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) but has yet to hear back about the status of that application. A new license will not only continue operation of the plant, but it will increase the generating capacity of the facility by 800 percent in order to fully utilize and optimize the clean, renewable hydroelectric generating capacity of the Hudson River.
Once a new license is secured, the $100M project will create 2,000 jobs, including 300 local construction jobs, and will support the over 1,000 permanent jobs that have been created at the nearby Green Island Industrial Park as a result of access to GIPA's low cost power.
GIPA's application also includes significant upgrades to public access to the river at the site, both for fishing and enjoyment of the river viewshed.
In an effort to secure expedited approval of the Power Authority's application for a new license, Schumer today announced that he will call on FERC to quickly review the application so that plans for the $100 million project can get under way to help jumpstart the local economy.
Schumer said, "While there is still a process of responsible review that must be conducted by FERC before the new license can be issued, with the current economic climate, FERC should do all that it can to review job creating projects like these as expeditiously as possible."
Below are some of the enhancements and benefits the relicensing of the Green Island Hydroelectric Plant will provide for Upstate New York.

1. Increase the peak generating capacity from the current 6 megawatts to 48 megawatts, which will have the capability of generating more than 200 million kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable electricity during high flow years.
2. Installation of a new positive exclusion fish protection and passage system integrated with complete river debris cleaning system, which will include debris collection and recycling facilities.

3. Construction of extensive, new recreational facilities including a promenade on the exterior of the powerhouse; an expansive hall within the powerhouse overlooking the Hudson River, which will be available to the public year-round; improvements to the existing Green Island park system including shoreline access; and improved recreational opportunities, especially pertaining to the immensely popular and economically important striped bass fishery.

4. Construction of a new support facilities building to enhance GIPA's services, including providing energy conservation and efficiency education, to its growing customer base.
5. Enhanced refurbishment of the historic 1922 powerhouse originally constructed by Henry Ford for the Ford Motor Company, and incorporation of public access into the facility.
6. Mitigation and reclamation of an existing, adjacent brownfield site to be incorporated into the redevelopment plan for facilities such as parking and construction of a new electrical substation.
7. Incorporation of energy conservation efforts through the use of waste heat energy in the powerhouse and public access locations.
8. Rehabilitation and improvements to the Federal Dam located adjacent to the hydroelectric station.

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