Senate Resolution No. 224

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING the New York Power Authority upon the
occasion of celebrating 60 years of generating
low-cost renewable energy at its St. Lawrence-FDR
Power Project in Massena, New York, on August 24,
2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished institutions which devote their energies and
purpose in service to the community, participating in civic affairs and
adding to the character and quality of life for all citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the New York Power Authority upon the occasion of 60 years of
generating low-cost renewable energy at its St. Lawrence-FDR Power
Project in Massena, New York, which was celebrated at an event on
Friday, August 24, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The community was invited to participate in this momentous
occasion, where they viewed an historical retrospective featuring
photos, presentations and memorabilia from the very beginning of the
plant's construction; and

WHEREAS, The first large hydroelectric plant in New York, the St.
Lawrence-FDR Power Project, along with New York Power Authority's (NYPA)
other generating plants, contributes up to 20 percent of the state's
energy, the bulk of which is clean, renewable hydroelectric power; and

WHEREAS, The building of the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project and its
sister plant, Ontario Power Generation's R. H. Saunders Generating
Station, was initiated in August of 1954, and together, make up the
Moses-Saunders Power Dam; due to the dedication of 22,000 workers, the
massive engineering marvel was completed two years ahead of schedule,
and power was first generated at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project on
July 17, 1958; and

WHEREAS, Construction of the NYPA's St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project
has made a tremendous impact on the North Country and the entire State
of New York; the Project stretches over the St. Lawrence River Valley
for more than 30 miles, and includes two control structures, the
Iroquois and Long Sault dams, upstream, along with almost 16 miles of
dikes that help form Lake St. Lawrence; the Project includes thousands
of acres of public parkland along the river for recreational enjoyment
and wildlife preservation; and

WHEREAS, For the last six decades, the NYPA has been a driving force
of the local economy by supporting thousands of jobs through low-cost
renewable power; this valuable organization's 16 generating units can
produce more than 900,000 kilowatts of electricity which would be enough
to power the homes for 41 million people; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commemorate the anniversary of the founding of municipalities throughout

the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric and
progression of this great Empire State; with newly acquired advanced
digital technologies, the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project is prepared to
meet the changing demands of the 21st Century utility marketplace; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the New York Power Authority upon the occasion of celebrating 60
years of generating low-cost renewable energy at its St. Lawrence-FDR
Power Project; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New York Power Authority.