Schumer backs hydro plant plan
COHOES -- The Green Island Power Authority was disappointed three years ago when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected its application for a license to build a $75 million hydro power plant above the Cohoes Falls.
Now GIPA, which operates a small hydro plant in the village of Green Island, is hoping that the clout of New York's senior senator will get its application in front of the commission as soon as possible.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote a letter in October to FERC asking it to immediately consider GIPA's plans to build the 100-megawatt facility. The move came after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ordered FERC to reconsider a license it granted two years ago to an existing hydro plant that sits below the falls owned by a Canadian company, Brookfield Renewable Power.
Because only one of the two facilities can operate, the issue has been extremely contentious, with FERC squarely in the middle.
When relicensing of Brookfield's plant was being considered three years ago, GIPA submitted its own application for a license. But within days FERC rejected the document, saying it was filed too late.
The 2nd Circuit ruled in August that FERC "abused its discretion" when it rejected GIPA's proposal and ordered the commission to go back and possibly reconsider GIPA's application.
As part of the October letter to FERC, Schumer said he was submitting GIPA's original 2006 application, but the documents were never made part of the public record. Schumer's office submitted the lengthy document again, and it was filed in FERC's electronic case file on Dec. 14.
"We've always thought that this was a great proposal that should have had a chance to be considered," said Schumer spokesman Max Young. "Attaching GIPA's application to the letter ensured that it was entered into the record and that FERC had it in its files to actively consider."
FERC spokeswoman Celeste Miller said FERC would not comment on the application -- or the next steps that FERC will take in the process. She did note that it's the same document that had been previously filed with the commission back in May of 2006.
Although its 40-year license was technically revoked, Brookfield is operating its Cohoes facility, known as the School Street hydro plant, on an annual license that is granted by FERC as companies await relicensing.
GIPA Chairman Jack Brown said in a statement that Schumer's submittal of the application once again should help speed the process.
"We greatly appreciate Senator Schumer's support for an open process," Brown said. "The ruling by the federal court is clear and final, and the Green Island Power Authority wants federal regulators to move expeditiously to consider a far better alternative that would mean more renewable power for New York and restoration of Cohoes Falls to its place as one of our state's great natural landmarks."
