Cuomo announces completion of New York hydropower plant upgrades

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced the completion of a $26 million project to improve several hydroelectric power plants in the state.

The project included updates to four of the eight turbines at the Crescent and Vischer Ferry hydroelectric power facilities on the Mohawk River in the Capital Region. It also included upgrading control equipment
at the two Mohawk River facilities and the New York Power Authority’s Ashokan hydropower plant in Ulster County.

“With our nation-leading investments in hydropower, we are building a sustainable, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “This is one more major step in our efforts to set a bold, national standard for reducing energy emissions and for creating a cleaner and greener New York for future generations.”

These projects help New York move towards meeting Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard, which requires that 50 percent of the state’s electricity needs be met with renewable energy by 2030.

“With the completion of these major improvements at NYPA’s small hydroelectric plants, we are affirming our commitment to clean energy while we simultaneously focus on updating critical infrastructure to ensure we meet our 50 percent by 2030 Clean Energy Standard target,” New York State Energy and Finance Chairman Richard Kauffman said.