U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-NY, in collaboration with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, has unveiled his plan to invest $1.3 million into the local hydroelectric facility known as High Dam on Feb. 6.

This significant boost in funding is the result of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydroelectric Incentives Program, which will allocate nearly $11 million to eight hydroelectric plants throughout New York, with High Dam being one of the sites on the roster. Other locations receiving funds from the DOE include Central Hudson Gas and Electric in New Paltz, which will receive approximately $3.5 million of the total funds for necessary repairs and maintenance.

According to Senator Schumer’s official government website, the Oswego hydroelectric station will utilize its new funding source to “conduct control system improvements, relay and interconnect improvements, [conduct] generator rewinding, turbine overhauls, automated rack raker improvements and replace excitation and hydraulic power units.”

The Hydroelectric Incentives Program, according to Senator Schumer’s website, aims to “maintain and upgrade hydroelectric facilities and infrastructure across Upstate New York to provide clean electricity and wildlife restoration to maintain the beauty vital to Upstate New York’s rivers, all while fighting climate change.” Thus, the heart of the program balances energy production facing modern-day demand and ecological and environmental consciousness.

The use of hydroelectric power is one the oldest, yet most reliable, sources of renewable energy. By exploiting the natural flow of water through an internal turbine, a hydroelectric dam can generate a vast quantity of energy without needing unrenewable sources such as fossil fuels.

The High Dam hydroelectric station, according to the City of Oswego’s official website, “provides the city… with 10 megawatts [MW] of clean renewable energy produced right from the waters of the Oswego River. At facility full output High Dam has the capabilities of powering every residential home inside the city limits of Oswego.”

According to the DOE’s official website, the “DOE defines small hydropower plants as projects that generate between 100 kilowatts and 10 MW,” whereas the government entity defines larger projects “as facilities that have a capacity of more than 30 megawatts (MW),” a testament to the capabilities of even a small facility such as the one in Oswego.

Beyond the extensive power generation capabilities from the High Dam hydroelectric station, the proposed funding would ensure a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective setting for the city. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), an American government agency, recalls how valuable the functions of a hydroelectric plant are for the local environment.

“All hydroelectric developments, of small or large size, whether run of the river or of accumulated storage, fit the concept of renewable energy,” the USGS said. “Hydroelectric enterprises that are developed and operated in a manner that is economically viable, environmentally sensible and socially responsible represent the best concept of sustainable development.”

Schumer, Hochul and the DOE’s proposition to finance the development and subsequent conservation of the local High Dam hydroelectric station would thus result in immediate and long-term benefits, beginning with the renovations of existing structures. With infrastructure, economic development and the overall improvement of the area at the forefront of Oswego’s newest mayor, Robert Corradino, the focus on High Dam would be the beginning steps to Corradino’s envisioned future.

“Upgrades and investments to our two wastewater plants and the west side fresh water treatment facility will guarantee that they will operate efficiently and safely for years to come,” Corradino said in his Feb. 12 city address. “Those improvements to the High Dam will allow the city to sell power on the retail market, which is more lucrative than the current wholesale market we sell to now.

“High Dam upgrades will create a revenue stream that current and future generations will benefit from for years to come,” Corradino said.

Photo by Nicolas Diaz Contreras