NEWS
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Village Of Tupper Lake Municipal Electric System to Receive Low-Cost NYPA Hydropower for Plastic Manufacturer Expansion Contact: January 30, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WHITE PLAINS—Low-cost hydropower from the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) Niagara Power Project will support an expansion by a plastic products manufacturer in the Village of Tupper Lake, and the addition of 21 new jobs to an existing work force of 83 people. The NYPA Trustees Tuesday approved an allocation of 610 kilowatts (kw) of economical electricity—half of it hydropower—to the Village of Tupper Lake Municipal Electric System on behalf of Jarden Plastic Solution, which plans to purchase new injection molding machines and other equipment for a $350,000 upgrade of its facility. “This allocation demonstrates the value of our low-cost hydropower for encouraging investments by businesses and growing jobs for local economies,” said Timothy S. Carey, NYPA president and chief executive officer. “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Village of Tupper Lake—one of the 51 public power system customers we serve around the state—in anticipation of the planned expansion by Jarden Plastic Solution and its increased electricity demand.” “The pending expansion by Jarden Plastic and the anticipated new jobs will boost the local economy and further enhance the importance of this key manufacturing facility,” said Sen. Betty Little. “The low-cost hydropower is extremely important for helping the company carry out its plans so the Power Authority board’s action is much appreciated and terrific news for Tupper Lake and Franklin County.” “By choosing to expand its facilities, Jarden Plastic has proven that it is committed to the people of Tupper Lake and their exceptional workforce,” said Assemblymember Janet Duprey. “Thanks to the village municipal electric system and NYPA, the facility will also receive low-cost hydropower, helping Jarden undertake the capital intensive work needed in order to add jobs.” The NYPA allocation is being provided under the Industrial Economic Development Program (IEDP), which reserves 108,000 kilowatts of power for economic development for New York’s municipal electric systems and rural cooperatives, with Niagara hydropower accounting for half of that amount. The hydropower portion is part of the large share of the project’s output mandated by federal law for the public power systems. The Municipal Electric Utilities Association Executive Committee supported the allocation to the Tupper Lake Municipal Electric System, which was one of two public power systems to be approved for an IEDP allocation Tuesday. The City of Sherrill was the other, for a new wire manufacturing plant and creation of 37 jobs. Economic development is a key element of long-term hydropower contracts that NYPA has with the public power systems, through 2025. The other key provisions involve energy efficiency and clean transportation initiatives. Tupper Lake will also benefit from the Power Authority’s efforts for improving electric service in the Tri-Lakes region, which also includes Lake Placid (another municipal electric system served by NYPA) and Saranac Lake. A permit was approved last year by the Adirondack Park Agency for construction of a new power line that National Grid will build and operate. The Power Authority is also working with Tupper Lake and various organizations on the possibility of biomass generation for the purpose of generating electric and thermal energy, to further economic development opportunities in the region. About NYPA: ■ NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. |
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