Establishes the power authority of the state of New York shall make low cost hydropower available to certain hospitals

• Republican4

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Robert Ortt says this is needed

This legislation would allow all hospitals and municipal housing author- ities located in the counties of Niagara and Orleans to receive low-cost hydropower directly from the Niagara Project. These hospitals are facing financial difficulties and this cost saving measure would allow them to save on their electric bills. Hospitals use an inordinate amount of electricity and by reducing the rate they must pay per kilowatt hour significant cost savings would be realized. For example, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in 2005 used approximately 7.5 million kilowatt hours at the expense of over $500,000. Also, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority also is a significant user of power for its five communities. Due to insufficient Federal funding the NFHA often finds itself with a financial shortfall that low-cost power will help alleviate. By allowing for low-cost hydropower we will ensure that all hospitals located in the affected areas fully utilize the natural source of power they have in the Niagara Project. PRIORLEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2023-2024: S.1311/A.2219 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2021-2022: S. 3652 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2019-2020: S.5176 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2017-2018: S. 691 Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2015-2016: S. 4414A/A. 3780A; Voted out of Energy Committee and Sent to Finance S.189/A.5134 of 2011-2012; Referred to Energy and Telecommunications/Referred to Energy S. 1184/A. 925 of 2009; Referred to Energy and Telecommunications S. 23/A. 6143 of 2007/2008; Referred to Senate Energy & Telecommuni- cations Committee

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.