BILL NUMBER: S2722
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
the power authority of the state of New York shall make low cost hydro-
power available to certain hospitals
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation would make low-cost hydropower produced by the Niagara
project available to hospitals and municipal housing authorities located
in the counties of Niagara and Orleans.
 
SUMMARY SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 13 of section 1005 of the public authori-
ty's Law to state that low-cost hydropower be made available to hospi-
tals and municipal housing authorities that are in Niagara and Orleans
County. Such Power shall be allocated from the Niagara Project.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation would allow all hospitals and municipal housing author-
ities located in the counties of Niagara and Orleans to receive low-cost
hydropower directly from the Niagara Project. These hospitals are facing
financial difficulties and this cost saving measure would allow them to
save on their electric bills. Hospitals use an inordinate amount of
electricity and by reducing the rate they must pay per kilowatt hour
significant cost savings would be realized. For example, Niagara Falls
Memorial Medical Center in 2005 used approximately 7.5 million kilowatt
hours at the expense of over $500,000. Also, the Niagara Falls Housing
Authority also is a significant user of power for its five communities.
Due to insufficient Federal funding the NFHA often finds itself with a
financial shortfall that low-cost power will help alleviate. By allowing
for low-cost hydropower we will ensure that all hospitals located in the
affected areas fully utilize the natural source of power they have in
the Niagara Project.
 
PRIORLEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.1311/A.2219 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2021-2022: S. 3652 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2019-2020: S.5176 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2017-2018: S. 691 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2015-2016: S. 4414A/A. 3780A; Voted out of Energy Committee and Sent to
Finance
S.189/A.5134 of 2011-2012; Referred to Energy and
Telecommunications/Referred to Energy
S. 1184/A. 925 of 2009; Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
S. 23/A. 6143 of 2007/2008; Referred to Senate Energy & Telecommuni-
cations Committee
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S2722: 1005 public authorities law, 1005(13) public authorities law