Honor NYPA's 60 Years

2018 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those distinguished institutions which devote their energies and purpose in service to the community, participating in civic affairs and adding to the character and quality of life for all citizens; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the New York Power Authority upon the occasion of 60 years of generating low-cost renewable energy at its St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena, New York, which was celebrated at an event on Friday, August 24, 2018; and WHEREAS, The community was invited to participate in this momentous occasion, where they viewed an historical retrospective featuring photos, presentations and memorabilia from the very beginning of the plant's construction; and WHEREAS, The first large hydroelectric plant in New York, the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, along with New York Power Authority's (NYPA) other generating plants, contributes up to 20 percent of the state's energy, the bulk of which is clean, renewable hydroelectric power; and WHEREAS, The building of the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project and its sister plant, Ontario Power Generation's R. H. Saunders Generating Station, was initiated in August of 1954, and together, make up the Moses-Saunders Power Dam; due to the dedication of 22,000 workers, the massive engineering marvel was completed two years ahead of schedule, and power was first generated at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project on

July 17, 1958; and WHEREAS, Construction of the NYPA's St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project has made a tremendous impact on the North Country and the entire State of New York; the Project stretches over the St. Lawrence River Valley for more than 30 miles, and includes two control structures, the Iroquois and Long Sault dams, upstream, along with almost 16 miles of dikes that help form Lake St. Lawrence; the Project includes thousands of acres of public parkland along the river for recreational enjoyment and wildlife preservation; and WHEREAS, For the last six decades, the NYPA has been a driving force of the local economy by supporting thousands of jobs through low-cost renewable power; this valuable organization's 16 generating units can produce more than 900,000 kilowatts of electricity which would be enough to power the homes for 41 million people; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commemorate the anniversary of the founding of municipalities throughout the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric and progression of this great Empire State; with newly acquired advanced digital technologies, the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project is prepared to meet the changing demands of the 21st Century utility marketplace; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the New York Power Authority upon the occasion of celebrating 60 years of generating low-cost renewable energy at its St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the New York Power Authority.