NYPA and Governor Hochul Announce Awards Spurring Nearly $395 Million in Capital Investments and Supporting 616 Jobs

NYPA and Governor Hochul Announce Awards Spurring Nearly $395 Million in Capital Investments and Supporting 616 Jobs

 

Western New York Power Proceeds Funding Awarded to Aquarium of Niagara and Natrion

 

Power Allocation to Support Expansion Project in Village of Angelica in Allegany County

  

Power Authority to Procure Power for Empire AI Consortium

 

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees today approved economic development awards that will spur nearly $395 million in private capital investments and support 616 jobs. The items include power allocations and funding awards to firms located throughout the state.

 

“The awards approved today by the NYPA Board of Trustees reflect the importance of reliable, affordable electricity for New York businesses,” Governor Hochul said. “By leveraging its clean energy portfolio, the Power Authority is literally and figuratively powering New York’s economy, spurring large scale private investment and creating jobs for New Yorkers across the state.”

 

ReCharge NY
The approved allocations of more than 2,300 kilowatts (kW) of low-cost power under the ReCharge NY program will be directed to nine firms in the Capital District, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mid-Hudson, and on Long Island. The awards directly support 579 jobs—55 newly created—and nearly $35 million in capital investments.

 

NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “ReCharge NY has stimulated billions of dollars of investment and directly supports hundreds of thousands of New York jobs. The low-cost power allocations approved today by the Power Authority trustees underscore the critical importance of affordable and reliable power to New York’s growing clean energy economy.”

 

Included among the ReCharge NY awards are notable allocations to Briggs & Stratton in Madison County, International Paper Company in Broome County, and Supreme Screw Products on Long Island.

 

A full list of today’s ReCharge NY power allocations and economic development awards is available here.

 

ReCharge NY has strengthened New York State’s economy by encouraging companies to retain and create jobs, while sparking capital investment throughout the state. ReCharge NY offers power contracts with terms up to seven years. Half of the power—455 MW—is from the Power Authority’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt hydroelectric power plants. The remaining 455 MW is lower-cost power bought by NYPA on the wholesale market.

 

Western New York Power Proceeds

At today’s meeting, the NYPA board also approved more than $1.5 million in Western New York Power Proceeds funding to two firms—the Aquarium of Niagara and Natrion.

 

The Aquarium of Niagara, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to broadening public awareness of aquatic ecosystems, was awarded more than $194,000 to upgrade its boiler system to a high-efficiency HVAC system. The nearly $972,000 project will significantly reduce on-site energy consumption, improve climate control for animals, and enhance the visitor experience. The upgrade will support the long-term operational efficiency for one of Niagara Falls' top cultural attractions.

 

The NYPA board also approved a more than $1.3 million funding award to Natrion, a pioneering start-up specializing in solid-state battery technology, to support the firm’s development of a 7,660-square foot global manufacturing headquarters in Cheektowaga in Erie County. This state-of-the-art facility will produce an advanced solid-state electrolyte material designed to revolutionize the performance and safety of rechargeable lithium batteries used in electronics and electric vehicles. The firm’s $9.1 million project will lead to the creation of 19 jobs and strengthens New York’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

 

NYPA Chairman and Western New York resident John R. Koelmel said, “More than 60 firms have received support under the Western New York Power Proceeds program, which reinvests funds generated by the sale of Niagara hydropower back into our local communities. The awards approved at today’s meeting to the Aquarium of Niagara and Natrion build on the program’s success and reflect the Power Authority’s ongoing commitment to support Western New York’s economy.”

 

The Power Authority funding awards are made possible through net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower generated at the Niagara Power Project and stems from power proceeds legislation signed into law in 2012.

 

The Industrial Economic Development Program

The NYPA Board of Trustees also approved an allocation of 100 kilowatts of hydropower under the Industrial Economic Development Program to the Village of Angelica in Allegany County. The allocation will support the expansion of WB Hyland, a firm specializing in landfill management and operations.

 

WB Hyland will expand the footprint of its site by 107 acres and increase its height by 120 feet, extending the landfill's operational life by 25 to 30 years and increasing the site’s disposal capacity from 465,000 to 1,000,000 tons. The project also includes the construction of process containers and the installation of a variety of equipment including blowers, chillers, thermal oxidizers, space heaters, and compressors. The firm’s expansion will lead to the creation of three jobs.

 

The Industrial Economic Development Program is comprised of 54 MW of the more than 768 MW of hydropower allocated to the 51 municipal and rural electric cooperative systems around New York State. Power under the program can is allocated to individual municipal systems to meet the increased electric load resulting from eligible new or expanding businesses in their service area.

 

High Load Factor Power

Additionally, the NYPA board approved 15,000 kilowatts (kW) of High Load Factor Power that the Power Authority will procure for Empire AI on the energy market.

 

Launched by Governor Hochul in 2024, Empire AI is a first-of-its-kind independent consortium backed by over $500 million in public and private funding to advance AI for the public good. The project will establish a state-of-the-art AI computing center at the State University of New York (SUNY) campus of the University at Buffalo. Founding members include SUNY, CUNY, Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Flatiron Institute, and the Simons Foundation. Thanks to the Governor's Enacted Budget this year, Empire AI has also expanded to include the University of Rochester, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

 

The Empire AI Consortium will operate high-performance computer systems for AI research, enabling advanced research capabilities at a scale typically seen in the largest technology companies. The project includes the installation of multiple generations of supercomputer systems through its lifecycle. The first phase of Empire AI computing capability was launched in 2024 with Empire AI Alpha, and a second phase, Empire AI Beta, was announced and approved for funding by Empire State Development in June.

 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “These NYPA awards demonstrate the power of strategic public investment in driving economic growth across New York State. Empire State Development is proud to support businesses throughout the state that benefit from the ReCharge NY program's low-cost power allocations. By providing companies with affordable, reliable energy, we're empowering them to expand operations, strengthen their workforce, and drive sustained economic growth across their communities.”

 

Empire AI Interim Executive Director Robert Harrison said, “When construction is complete, Empire AI will be one of the most sustainable and energy efficient data centers in the world, showing how New York is leading the nation in the development of AI research for the public good. That would not be possible without Governor Hochul's vision for this project and our collaboration with the New York Power Authority.”

 

State Senator Kevin Parker said, “The NYPA economic development awards are more than just numbers on a balance sheet; they are a powerful investment in the future of New York’s energy system, our economy, and our communities. These funds will help modernize our grid, support cutting-edge clean energy technologies, and expand critical infrastructure where it's needed most. But let’s be real: it's not enough. If we want to lead, not just compete in the clean energy future, New York must double down. We can’t wait for Washington to catch up or clean up its mess. With federal delays and breakdowns threatening progress nationwide, it’s up to us to chart a bold, independent path forward. Our communities, our climate, and our economy depend on it and this is a step in the right direction.”

 

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “Economic development investments like these show that we can strengthen New York’s clean energy economy while creating good-paying jobs and supporting local communities. I look forward to seeing the development of these projects and thank NYPA and Governor Hochul for their leadership.”

 

Senator George Borrello said, “I’m pleased to see the Village of Angelica in Allegany County receiving a power allocation through NYPA’s Industrial Economic Development Program to support the expansion of WB Hyland. This project will extend the operational life of a critical local facility, create jobs, and boost the regional economy, all while making smart use of our state’s low-cost hydropower resources. It’s a great example of how targeted energy policy can directly benefit our rural communities.”

 

Senator Robert Ortt said, "These funds to the Aquarium of Niagara will not only support the operational efficiency and improve conditions for the animals, but will allow the Aquarium to continue their focus on providing an exceptional educational experience to children and parents from our community as well as visitors from around the world."

 

Assemblymember Angelo J. Morinello said, “I’m proud to see the continued commitment from the New York Power Authority and Governor Hochul to supporting transformative projects right here in Niagara Falls. The investment in the Aquarium of Niagara will not only improve energy efficiency and animal care but will also enhance one of our city’s most beloved cultural destinations. This kind of forward-thinking investment strengthens our local economy, supports tourism, supports local jobs, and showcases the power of public-private partnerships to drive meaningful progress in our community.”

 

Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski said, “I want to thank the NYPA Board of Trustees for allocating 100 kilowatts of reliable, renewable hydropower from the Niagara Power Project to the Village of Angelica in support of the expansion of WB Hyland. Not only is the Niagara Power Project New York’s largest producer of electricity, it’s also New York’s cleanest and greenest producer of electricity.”

 

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About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.