An important issue that must be watched by Western New Yorkers has to do with the proposal to allow hyrdroelectric power - from Canada - to be used in New York City.
The plan, which is highly favored by a majority of downstate lawmakers, is facing opposition from the state Senate. "Our state's resources should be used to create jobs in New York, rather than export them to a foreign country," the senators led by Sen. George Maziarz of hydropower-rich Niagara County wrote.
Of significance to this region is the NRG Energy Inc. facility in Dunkirk, which still needs more public support of its $700 million upgrade to its facility to produce electricity from natural gas instead of coal. Residents who have not yet done so can still voice their approval of the project by simply stating this: We back improvements of the NRG Energy plant in Dunkirk for the future of our region and upstate.
To send that simple message, visit www.PowerUpWNY.org or www.nyenergyhighway.com/contact, which is the Energy Highway Task Force. The deadline for all comments is Friday, only two days away.
