Small Hydro Agreement Offers County Predictable, Reliably Priced Power
Canton, N.Y. — Gravity Renewables, an owner and operator of renewable energy projects across the country, will assist St. Lawrence County in accessing up to 2.5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year of clean hydropower thanks to a new agreement. The move to local hydropower will provide the county with reliably priced power that will save taxpayer money over the 20-year agreement. The agreement is the first announced as part of Gravity’s partnership with the Municipal Gas and Electric Alliance (MEGA) during which Gravity serves as the preferred provider of energy from small hydroelectric sites to MEGA participants, municipalities and public agencies around New York.
“When NYSAC partnered with Gravity Renewables and MEGA earlier this year, we anticipated that forward-looking local governments would find these proposals attractive. NYSAC congratulates St. Lawrence County on taking this important step toward securing long term, stable pricing for electricity, and helping expand renewable energy resources in the North Country,” said Steven J. Acquario, executive director, New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), which partners with MEGA in a variety of energy procurement programs.
“St. Lawrence County is pleased to be partnering with Gravity Renewables in the process of identifying hydroelectric resources in our region that can provide county taxpayers with a long term, stable cost for our electricity. We also appreciate the role that MEGA and NYSAC have played in bringing this option to local governments statewide,” said Karen St. Hilaire, St. Lawrence County Administrator.
St. Lawrence County is among the first in the country to utilize “remote net metering” for a hydroelectric project—the policy mechanism that, with the local utility as an intermediary, allows customers to use power generated at off-site renewable energy generation facilities. Gravity Renewables has pioneered the use of net metering with small hydropower.
“MEGA is delighted that St. Lawrence County is among the first to move forward with a renewable energy option that will also assure both environmental and fiscal sustainability. Gravity is a leader in the industry, bringing savings to customers, economic development and jobs to the community, and cleaner energy resources to us all,” said Ron Feldstein, President and CEO, Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance (MEGA).
The MEGA-Gravity Partnership—begun earlier this year— is a multi-year collaboration during which Gravity serves as the preferred provider of energy from small hydroelectric sites to MEGA participants, municipalities and public agencies around New York. New York is home to more than 100 hydroelectric sites that are able to generate predictable, reliable, affordable energy that’s renewable and locally produced. EnergyNext, Inc. of Saratoga Springs, acted as MEGA’s procurement agents in the design and implementation of the program.
“Local hydropower makes good economic sense for communities,” said Ted Rose, CEO of Gravity Renewables. “Hydropower provides clean, reliable, predictable energy at a low-cost so counties can lock-in savings for decades to come.”
About MEGA
The Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance is a not-for-profit aggregation program for energy supplies and services. MEGA presently serves more than 260 local governments and public agencies in New York State, using public bidding to identify the lowest cost providers. MEGA was established in 1998 at the start of utility restructuring in New York. MEGA’s renewable energy program is facilitated by its consultants, EnergyNext, Inc. of Saratoga Springs, NY.
About Gravity Renewables
Gravity Renewables is a leading national owner, operator and developer of small hydroelectric power plants. Small hydropower provides predictable, reliable, affordable clean energy that’s locally produced. By making a long-term commitment to these neighborhood facilities, Gravity restores and conserves important historical sites, employs local operators and promotes educational and recreational opportunities in the communities it serves. Gravity currently has 30 MW of hydroelectric projects operating and under development in 7 states across the country. For more information please visit www.gravityrenewables.com or contact us at 303.440.3378. Follow Gravity Renewables on Twitter or Facebook.