HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HDPC-1989-03-14 Hydropower Commission
MINUTES
March 14 , 1989
Present : D . Hoffman , A . Skutt , E . Harrison , E . Mulholland , T .
Araneo , B . Darlington ( for C . Emi 1 i an ) , Ben Nichols , Ralph Nash
Absent : M . Sampson , M . Sprague , E . Brothers , M . Walker , H . Jones
le The meeting was called to order at 7 : 30 p . m . by D . Hoffman .
2 . Discussion with Ralph Nash , City Attorney , about March 9 , 1989
presentation by Vernon Husek of the New York - State Department of
Environmental Conservation regarding the State Wild , Scenic and
Recreational River System designation currently being sought as a
means to block hydropower at Fall Creek and the Ithaca Falls .
Members of the Commission agreed that Mr . Husek indicated that
designation would preclude hydropower development and he seemed
optimistic about the proposal . Mr . Nash maintained that there is
Federal 1 egi sl ati on for withholding the economi c benefits for small
hydroelectric facilities if there is a designation but that the
license could not be withheld . There was discussion concerning the
area to be officially designated and how property owners in the
community should be identified and contacted .
MOTION to recommend that Council endorse the designation and
Resolved : That Council ask state representatives to support the
designation as well and enlist the support of state legislators and
Resolved : that Council designate a group , possibly consisting of
members of Common Council , Conservation Advisory Council , Hydropower
Commission , Environmental Management Council , Planning Department
and Citizens Against Hydropower at Ithaca Falls for the purpose to
meet with Town of Ithaca , Town of Dryden and Cornell University to
begin to develop a plan to define corridor boundaries and enlist
support from property owners .
Moved by Harrison , seconded by Araneo , Vote 6 - 0 .
3 . Report by Dominick Cafferillo , City Controller , regarding NYSEG
Negotiations . A letter has been filed with the PSC requesting an
exemption as a two - megawatt plant ( 2 . 2 part - time , total output for
number of days projected would be approximately 900 kilowatts ) .
This would allow the City to be exempted from bidding , and would
allow energy plus capacity payments . No further NYSEG meetings are
scheduled while awaiting PSC response .
Skutt moved , Araneo seconded to go to Executive Session to discuss
pricing and other details of the negotiations .
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Hydropower Commission
Minutes
Page 2
4 . Report from Congressman McHugh ' s office regarding exemption of
Falls - - federal designation as wild and scenic river is not likely .
Annual exemption should be sought because permanent congressional
exemption is unlikely . Written confirmation is expected .
5 . No response from Cornell to Mayor ' s letter .
6 . Discussion of letter submitted by Veitch Associates outlining
proposed underground plant . Members of the Commission would like to
invite Veitch to make a follow - up presentation to the Commission and
other interested parties such as the City engineers , Common Council
and Cornell University . There was also interest in pursuing the
issue of possible nonpower license control as mentioned in the
letter from Veitch . A question was raised concerning the connection
between Veitch Associates and the Besha Engineering Firm .
7 . Review and discussion of Helen Jones ' draft of request for proposals
to develop Van Natt a Dam . Commission approved concept and
recommended finalization . There were questions regarding the
process for review and selection of developer .
MOTION : Recommend that RFP be finalized and approved and submitted
to Planning and Development Committee ( moved by Harrison , seconded
by Araneo ) .
8 . Minutes of 2 / 21 / 89 were amended and approved .
9 . Next meeting will be Monday , April 17 , 1989 at 7 : 30 p . m .
Meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00 p . m .
EPJ / HYDRO / MINUTES . MAR
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