Canton, NY, Jul 08, 2010 — The East has been roasting. The likelihood of just mid-80s tomorrow sounds downright delectable after four days of a steamy heat wave.

The National Weather Service forecasts less brutal heat throughout the region, though it's still likely to be uncomfortably humid.

As the heat and humidity of this "Bermuda high" continue, so does the heat warning from the weather service. Today's warning remains in effect until 8 tonight. As Jonathan Brown reports, the hot spell is taking a toll.  Go to full article

Wolfe Island, ON, Jul 07, 2010 — A recent study of bird and bat mortality at Wolfe Island's 82-turbine wind farm is raising concerns among environmentalists. Wolfe Island is Canadian territory, located where Lake Ontario empties into the St. Lawrence River. The report found 600 birds and more than a thousand bats were killed by the windmill blades in a six month period. Nature Canada called the numbers "shockingly high." Ornithologist Bill Evans says the real question is which species of birds died. Evans directs Old Bird, Inc. in Ithaca and has consulted for both wind power companies and environmental groups. He told David Sommerstein Wolfe Island is a designated important bird area, so ornithologists predicted high fatalities. Evans says the number of hawks, owls, and other raptors was the most alarming.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 29, 2010 — A bill paving the way for a municipally owned power company in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties passed the state Assembly yesterday. The bill to create the North Country Power Authority has already passed the state Senate. Robert Best of the Alliance for Municipal Power has been working on the project for almost 20 years. He expects Governor Paterson to sgn the bill into law soon. Martha Foley reports.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 28, 2010 — A bill allowing a group of North Country towns to form their own municipal power company cleared the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Friday. It has already passed in the Senate. A floor vote before the full Assembly is expected as early as today. If it passes, two dozen towns in St Lawrence and Franklin counties will begin to buy power lines and substations from National Grid. The Alliance for Municipal Power is leading the effort. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 22, 2010 — Municipal power advocates are in Albany making a final push for a new North Country authority. The bill would be the first real step toward two dozen towns in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties starting a not-for-profit electric company. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 06, 2010 — A bill that would make the popular Power for Jobs program permanent has passed the State Senate. The program offers low-cost electricity to companies in exchange for hitting job retention or creation benchmarks. A companion bill in the Assembly close to passage. North Country Democrat Darrel Aubertine is the Senate bill's sponsor. He says it currently protects 250,000 jobs statewide. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 29, 2010 — Governor David Paterson says he wants New York's Power For Jobs program to be made permanent. The popular program is set to expire on May 15th. Speaking in Albany today, Paterson said Power For Jobs is a key job creator in New York. Power For Jobs gives companies reduced electricity rates in exchange for creating employment. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Apr 20, 2010 — A bill that would allow two dozen towns in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties to form a municipal power company is getting closer to passage. And local leaders are taking a bus to Albany today to try to push it over the finish line. The bill to create the North Country Power Authority is the product of a decade of work by the Alliance for Municipal Power. The bill has already passed the Senate. After clearing a key committee in the Assembly yesterday, it's now one committee away from a floor vote. Supporters believe it will pass. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Cleveland, OH, Apr 01, 2010 — Remember that huge blackout in the summer of 2003? 45 million people in the Midwest and Northeast US, as well as 10 million in Canada, lost power. Government and utilities are spending billions of dollars on what's called a "Smart Grid," in part, so we don't have more large scale blackouts. But there's a lot more to the emerging system. Julie Grant has more.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Mar 22, 2010 — More now on a developing story about 24 towns in the North Country hoping to band together and create a publicly owned electric company. State law allows a town or city to become its own power provider after parting with privately held utilities, like National Grid. Massena has done this.

But several towns can't join forces to form a communal electric company. This could soon change. The state Senate recently approved a bill clearing the way. The measure awaits passage by the Assembly and the Governor.

Legislative approval, if it comes, is only one hurdle for these towns. They also need to separate themselves from National Grid. Meaning the new, publicly owned power company would have to produce electricity and provide it via a network of their own transmission lines. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article