Delhi, N.Y. - Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand announced that she sent a letter to the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Emily Lloyd, urging her office to work with Delaware County Electric Cooperative to move forward with a proposal to develop hydroelectric dams on the watershed reservoirs.  The proposal, which the Cooperative recently submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for consideration, would develop hydroelectric dams to generate clean, renewable energy from the release of the reservoirs that would provide the local communities with low-cost electricity.

“It is my hope that the Commissioner will act without delay, and endorse this critical economic development project,” said Congresswoman Gillibrand, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee.  “The watershed communities are the stewards for the majority of New York City’s water supply, and that responsibility has come with little economic benefit and many limitations on development in the region.  This proposal is the perfect opportunity for the City to show the people of the watershed communities that they don’t take their pristine water for granted.” 

The Environmental Protection Agency recently granted the City with a Filtration Avoidance Determination that allows the City to continue to draw water from the watershed without a filtration plant, saving the City billions of dollars. 

The Congresswoman continued, “With energy prices continuing to soar past record levels and nationwide economic uncertainty, we need to concentrate our efforts on projects that can address both concerns.  The DCEC proposal demonstrates the type of leadership and imagination that our nation needs right now, and I hope that the City will join me in supporting this proposal.”

Below is the letter the Congresswoman sent to Commissioner Lloyd: 

Dear Commissioner Lloyd,

I am writing today regarding a proposal to develop alternative energy in the New York City Watershed located in and around my Congressional District in Upstate New York.

As the stewards of the NYC Watershed, many of the communities that I represent have faced obstacles to development that their neighbors elsewhere in the state do not have to contend with.  At the same time, recent record floods have caused millions of dollars in damages to the communities, small businesses and farms.  Like many regions of the United States, my District in Upstate New York is concerned about economic development and energy prices.  With the nation facing economic uncertainties and record-high energy costs, it is imperative that we move forward with investments that address these concerns. 

The current releases from the Cannonssville, Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie Reservoirs results in no economic benefits for watershed communities, or to the City of New York.  I have been briefed on the proposal from the Delaware County Electric Cooperative to develop hydroelectric dams on the reservoirs, and believe that this proposal addresses the critical need for economic development projects in the region, as well as providing clean, low-cost energy for the watershed communities.  This proposal would also aid the State of New York in achieving its goal of generating 15% of the State’s electricity from renewable energy sources. 

The Cooperative is a leader in the community, advocating for economic prosperity of this region and promoting alternative energy development.  The Cooperative recently filed their hydro project proposal with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  I urge your office to work with the Cooperative on this proposal to ensure that it moves forward.  This project is critical to the future of the watershed communities and will serve as a model for the type of projects that can utilize our natural resource to promote clean, alternative energy and economic development.