As part of NYPA’s responsibility to the citizens of NY and to the communities which host NYPA generation facilities, NYPA provides economic development, environmental, and community support. These commitments are met through several avenues: Power allocation, proceeds from excess power sales, and contractual agreements as part of long-term licenses overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Either NYPA or independent oversight boards provide public information about the commitments, proceedings, application processes and distribution activities for each type of support.
On June 26, 1984, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued 40 year licenses to the New York Power Authority for the Crescent (P-4678) and Vischer Ferry (P-4679) Hydroelectric Power Projects. The operating licenses for these small renewable hydropower projects will expire on May 31, 2024. NYPA is applying for a new FERC license and will use this site as a repository for all public documents prepared during the relicensing process. Visit the Crescent & Vischer Ferry Relicensing web page.
The New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) Gregory B. Jarvis hydropower dam is located on the Hinckley Reservoir in Herkimer and Oneida Counties. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued NYPA a 40 year license in July 1982 to construct and operate the 9 Megawatt (MW) Project. The Project first produced power in 1986 and was renamed the Gregory B. Jarvis Plant in honor of local astronaut and hero who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy. The project’s operating license (FERC Project number P-3211) will expire July 31, 2022. NYPA intends to apply for a new FERC license. Visit the Gregory B. Jarvis Plant Relicensing web page.
In conjunction with a 50-year relicensing agreement for the Niagara Power Project signed in 2007, NYPA made extensive environmental and financial commitments. NYPA has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Western New York municipalities, state agencies, an Indian nation, school districts, and committees supporting the development of the Niagara River Greenway. The amount also includes payments by NYPA for the construction of recreational projects and ecological enhancements. In addition to monetary support, the licensing agreement allocates 32 MW of low-cost hydropower, saving recipients as much as 75% of the cost of energy. Visit the Niagara Power Project Relicensing web page.
The St. Lawrence Power Project license was renewed for 50 years in 2003. The associated agreement with stakeholders includes extensive investment in the region, including specific funding for school districts, and in recreation, and environmental protection. As part of the relicensing agreement, NYPA created The St. Lawrence River Research and Education Fund (SLRREF) to support environmental research and environmental education projects relating to the ecology of the St. Lawrence River watershed. Visit the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project Relicensing web page.
Funding decisions are made annually by a board that includes environmental professionals, state and federal resource scientists, community representatives and NYPA.
Since 2007, when SLRREF was initiated, 25 projects have been approved for nearly $317,000 in NYPA funding through SLRREF. With matching grants of more than $320,000 from others, total funding for the projects is approximately $637,000.
SLRREF Proposal Guidelines and Form
Current SLRREF Projects
| Year | Project | Organization | Description | SLRREF Contribution | Other Funding | Project Total |
| 2015 | Educating Landowners & the Community about the Benefits and Costs of Conservation Easements | St. Lawrence Land Trust | Develop materials and presentations to environmental entities, town boards, local professional organizations and the public on conservation easements, tax liabilities and benefits, land owners rights and responsibilities and public benefits. | $6,500 | $8,250 | $14,570 |
| 2015 | Preserve Stewardship Volunteer Program Expansion | Thousand Islands Land Trust | Broaden the capacity and scope of this volunteer program and expand learning opportunities for volunteers. | $7,050 | $26,730 | $33,780 |
| 2015 | “TSI NIIOHAHÒ:TEN” Choosing our Path | Friends of the Akwesasne Freedom School, Inc. | Provide high school students with on-the-job training opportunities and apprenticeships with fluent speaking community members who practice traditional skills and work for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Cultural Restoration Program. | $15,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| 2016 | Detecting Populations of Blanding's Turtle Using Environmental DNA | Clarkson University | The project will test a new survey method which detects the presence of a species from trace DNA to determine whether it's a viable way to track populations of the rare Blanding's Turtle. | $15,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 2016 | Engaging Citizens in Monitoring the Grasse River | St. Lawrence University's Nature Up North Program | Local groups will join research scientists in regular water quality testing to measure temperature, turbidity, conductivity, nutrient inputs, bacteria, and macroinvertebrate diversity. | $14,778 | $8,611 | $23,389 |
To see Project Reports from prior years, search for "SLRREF Project Report" in the document library.