Executive Speeches

Remarks of Louis P. Ciminelli, chairman of the New York Power Authority, at an event marking presentation of the first payment to local communities under an agreement on relicensing of NYPA's St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project in Massena, Lisbon, New York

May 22, 2002

Thank you.  It’s great to be here as our North Country neighbors reap the first benefits of the historic settlement agreement for relicensing of the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project.

That agreement—and today’s $4 million payment to the communities and school districts—reflect the determined efforts of many public-spirited individuals.

But, above all, they are a tribute to the persistence—and insistence—of one man—Governor George Pataki.  No matter how great the controversies or difficult the issues, the Governor would not take “no” for an answer.  At its most difficult point, he provided the leadership to get the process on course and see it through to a successful conclusion.  So, Governor, on behalf of all concerned, thank you.

Thanks as well to the North Country elected officials who are here today.  And to all in the local communities, including representatives of business and labor; federal and state agencies; and environmental groups who also contributed so much of their time and talents.

Thanks to these efforts, we have achieved a fair and balanced agreement—and, with it, broad support for the relicensing application that the Power Authority submitted last October.

It was exactly one year ago tomorrow that Governor Pataki came to the North Country to announce the planned transfer—“with no strings attached”—of some 800 acres of St. Lawrence-FDR Project land to the local communities.  Governor, I’m pleased to report that over 700 acres has, in fact, been turned over to the towns thus far, and that the remainder is undergoing final review.  And—as part of the relicensing agreement—we’ve earmarked another 600 acres for transfer to the towns or private citizens.

Even though a number of issues remained to be resolved at the time of the Governor’s visit, it was a major milestone in the settlement process.  We knew then that we’d turned the corner and that our objectives were within reach.

Major challenges still lie ahead:  Winning FERC approval for removal of the Town of Lisbon from the project’s boundaries.  Defending the vital power allocations to Alcoa and General Motors Powertrain.  And, of course, obtaining a new 50-year license for the project—the Power Authority’s first generating facility.

We’ve shown—through the relicensing agreement—how much we can accomplish by working together.  I therefore have every confidence that we’ll meet our mutual goals.  And that a bright new era lies ahead for the St. Lawrence-FDR Project and the North Country communities we’re proud to call home.

Thanks very much.

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