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Denial of low-cost hydropower by NYPA sends another company, and its 200 jobs, packing

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, we asked the Poll Question: What inhibits job growth in WNY?  Obviously, we left out one possible answer: The New York Power Authority.

You may remember reports previously of the NYPA chasing Google away from Medina.

This morning the Buffalo News reports that a start-up steel firm that would have employed 200 people in WNY will not open its factory gates thanks to NYPA.

It was the second time the company had looked to the Empire State to build a plant. After being turned down for its first request for power a few years ago, which also might have been in Orleans County, it decided to build its first plant, now under construction, in Mississippi.

The company now will look for a site outside New York State for a second plant, Chief Commerce Officer Mark Bula told The Buffalo News on Wednesday.

For its part, NYPA claims there are other new businesses looking for the power and there just isn't enough to go around. That may or may not be true, but as the News points out, NYPA has a long history of turning away job-producing companies from WNY.

Gabor Deutsch

Is it possible that the amount of electricity available is too low to begin with due to outdated equipment and power grids. My understanding is that if this steel company got what they wanted there would be no real amount of electricity available for any other company. I still dont think its right to turn down businessess but i think there is more to the story then what the media is putting out and as soon as its brought to the publics attention the politicians run in and say "yeah, wats up with NYPA" ? They are the problem, yeah look at us we agree with you. See how good we are ?

Apr 16, 2009, 11:02am Permalink
Dave Olsen

I realize that I am just a big, dumb country bumpkin from Genesee County, but I cannot understand how I can live 45 miles from one of the largest natural hydro-electric generators in the country AND have one of highest electric bills in the country too. Maybe if I was a lawyer-slash- politician or a financial wizard or a board member of the NYPA I would get it. I guess I shouldn't feel too bad since a guy who is smart enough to run a steel company doesn't get it either. Also, as usual I agree with Gabor, the politicians are a big part of the problem, you're pretty smart too Gabor.

Apr 16, 2009, 5:58pm Permalink
Patrick Weissend

Is hydroelectric power a limited resource? Can’t they turn up the “dials” and make more? I am not an engineer, nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, so I’m just curious.

Can a FOIL request go out asking who is getting the cheap power? Does the NYPA also control the power output for the windmills?

I went to the website thinking there was a giant NYC conspiracy running the NYPA, but reviewing the board of trustees, of the seven trustees, the Chairman is from Monroe County, two are from Erie County, one from St. Lawrence County and one from New York County. There are two vacant seats. The NYPA is headquartered in White Plains, which to somebody from Western New York is New York City.

Are the NYPA politically based? Maybe, but to agree with Gabor , there must be more to the story.

Apr 17, 2009, 1:16pm Permalink

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