The Working River

1
The Working River

• Jason Stanek Wakana Takahashi
• School of Law School
  of Architecture Planning

2
Niagara Power ProjectRobert Moses Power Plant
Lewsiton Pump-Generating Plant

• 2,575,000 kilowatt generating capacity
• 325,000 additional kilowatts will be generated by
  2006.

3
Low Cost Hydro Power The Savior of the Local
Economy?

• Credited with helping to protect 50,000 jobs in
  Western New York.
• Is this the key to the redevelopment of the
  Buffalo-Niagara Region?

4
NYPA Power Products for WNY

• Replacement Power
• 445,000 kilowatt block of power.
• Expires in 2006.
• Source Niagara Redevelopment Act (1956)
• 16 USC 836.

• Expansion Power
• 250,000 kilowatt block of power.
• Available within a thirty (30) mile radius from
  the hydro power facility.
• Source NYS Public Authorities Law Section 1005

5
Who Gets Niagara Power?
6
Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission

• FERC has declared and acknowledged that
  allocations of hydroelectric power within New
  York State are of almost exclusive interest to
  the State and should be appropriately addressed
  and resolved by New York State.
• Source 9 NYCRR 4.20 (2001)

7
Reallocation

• The reallocation of power is not a issue of
  concern to FERC during the relicensing process.
• Any possible changes in the distribution of
  Niagara-generated power must come from Albany.

8
Legislative Action

• Local members of the NYS Assembly sponsor bill to
  amend the Public Authorities Law (1/2001).
• GOAL
• Increase local share from 250 to 575 megawatts.
• Source NYS Assembly A-2058

9
Approaching an Opportunity

• The Relicensing Process is Beginning
• The Distribution Formula is Ripe for Review
• Our Region Has a Compelling Case to Keep the
  Power in Western New York

10
Four Steps for Job Expansion

• 1. Identify regional advantages and economic
  incentives

2. Identify Type of Industries/Businesses
3. Collect Site/Relocation Information
4. Link all information to form strategies to
attract industries/businesses by employing cheap
power as an incubator
11
Step 1 Identify Regional Advantages
1. Reliable energy/Clean water- Abundant
Hydropower from Niagara
2. Well-educated, inexpensive workforce-
workforce finished w/high school or more over 75
3. Short commuting distance- average 20 min./way
4. Inexpensive housing - Buffalo-Niagara MSA
84,665/National 100,583 (1998)
5. Location advantage - proximity to airport,
Toronto and waterfront
6. Various economic advantages- Power for Jobs,
Empire Zone Program
12
Step 2 Identify Target Industries

• Identify Target Industries through research on
• Electricity-Consuming Industry
• Target Industries by BNE
• Target Industries by Green Gold Project

• Chip Manufacturing Industry
• Computer Server Farms
• Help Desk Call Centers

• Medical Research and Products
• Professional Support Centers
• Logistics, Distribution and Trade
• Technology Intensive Manufacturing

• Any businesses whose products or services solve
  environmental problems

13
Step 3 Collect Relocation Information

• Site/Location
• Niagara Mohawk Site Selection Tool
• WNY Brownfield Site Databook
• REDD(Regional Economic Development Database)
• Brownfields Showcase Community Target Sites
• Financial Incentives
• Power for the Jobs program in NYPA
• ECIDA/NCIDA
• Buffalo Niagara Enterprise
• Various Incentives for Brownfields Development

14
Step 4 Integrate Incentives and Site Info.
Available Land-Brownfield Site
Parcel
15
For Example 2715 Highland Ave.
City Niagara Falls (Niagara) Total Acreage 3.67
AC Present Zoning Commercial (C1) Nearest
Interstate I-190 (1.75 miles) Rail Adjacent
Highland Ave. Nearest Commercial Airport Niagara
Falls International (6 miles) Assessed
Value 46,500.00 Designated Zone Part of parcel
NYS EDZ, Part of Niagara Falls Highland Ave.
Redevelopment Plan Contact Tom Tedesco,
716.286.8834 City of Niagara Falls (EDZ)