News Advisory:  Eel Passage Facility to be Commissioned August 9, 2006

August 7, 2006

A new $2 million eel passage facility at the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project will officially be commissioned on Wednesday (Aug. 9) with Power Authority, federal and state officials in attendance.

John J. Suloway, NYPA’s executive director of licensing implementation and compliance, will participate in a 10:30 a.m. program with Mike Thabault, assistant director of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Gerry Barnhart, director of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The new facility enables American eels to pass over the power project’s main dam on their migration from the Atlantic Ocean to the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. 

Following the program in front of the power project’s Administration Building, a tour of the eel passage facility will be conducted.     

Because of security considerations, we regret that it will not be possible to accommodate video or still photography on the tour.  However, B-roll and photographs will be available.  (Photos and video of the opening program will be permitted.)

Those unable to cover the event and wishing to obtain B-roll or photos should contact Jill Chamberlain at 315-764-0226, Extension 300. 

Lunch will be served in the Administration Building’s fifth-floor conference room after the tour.

Please have photo identification available.

Time:                   10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 9

Place:                  Area in front of the Administration Building at the New York Power Authority’s St. Lawrence-Franklin D.
                           Roosevelt Power Project in Massena. (Program will be held in the building’s lobby in the event of inclement
                           weather.)

Contact:               Jill Chamberlain, 315-764-0226, Extension 300

 About NYPA:

■    NYPA uses no tax money or state credit.  It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity.  ■    NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives.  ■    It is the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines.

Return to Press Center