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New Member of Economic Development Power Allocation Board to Participate in First Meeting on Tuesday Contact: September 16, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WHITE PLAINS—A regular scheduled meeting Tuesday morning of the New York State Economic Development Power Allocation Board (EDPAB) will include the participation of a new member: Judge Eugene L. Nicandri of Massena, whom Gov. David A. Paterson appointed last week to the four-member board. “I am gratified you have accepted this appointment and am confident you will serve the people of New York State with dedication and distinction,” Governor Paterson said in a letter last week to Judge Nicandri, who was appointed to a full three-year term. EDPAB reviews applications of employers and makes recommendations in connection with various economic development power programs administered by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) under New York State law. Last month, the New York State Senate confirmed Judge Nicandri as a trustee of the Power Authority following his nomination by Governor Paterson to the NYPA board. “I’m looking forward to the challenges that await me in serving as both a NYPA trustee and as an EDPAB member,” Judge Nicandri said. “Governor Paterson is giving top priority to maximizing the benefits of available lower-cost power supplies for promoting jobs and spurring the state’s economy. Both NYPA and EDPAB have important roles to play in helping to underpin these efforts for meeting the needs of businesses and other enterprises for competitively-priced electricity.” Judge Nicandri stepped down last month as chairman of the North Country Redevelopment Task Force after being confirmed as a NYPA trustee. The task force was created last year to promote economic development in Northern New York in anticipation of the closing of General Motors Powertrain in Massena. Judge Nicandri replaces Frank S. McCullough, Jr., on EDPAB. In July, Governor Paterson named Kenneth A. Schoetz of the upstate operations of the Empire State Development Corp. as chairman of the power allocation board. The chairman and other members of EDPAB serve in unsalaried positions. EDPAB, which was established in 1987, recommends allocations of electricity with regard to four statewide and downstate power programs currently linked to about 340,000 jobs. The initiatives are known as the Power for Jobs, Economic Development, High Load Factor and Municipal Distribution Agency programs. NYPA purchases power from the state’s wholesale marketplace for those programs, as provided for under state law. Judge Nicandri served on the St. Lawrence County Court from 1985 until 2004, when he retired. He was president of the New York State County Judges Association from 1999 to 2000. Before becoming a county judge, he was a partner in the Massena law firm of Lavigne & Nicandri from 1966 to 1985 and served at various times as the attorney for the Towns of Massena, Brasher, Louisville and the Village of Massena. He also served as the attorney for Massena Memorial Hospital. Judge Nicandri represented the Town of Massena in landmark litigation involving the establishment of the Massena Electric Department, a municipal electric system that benefits from low-cost NYPA hydropower as a preference customer under federal law. He served as the Electric Department’s attorney from 1981 to 1985. Judge Nicandri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester and has a J.D. from Albany Law School. Prior to law school, he served on active duty with the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer. Judge Nicandri is married to the former Lois Anne Moore. They have three sons and four grandchildren. 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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