Jun 26, 2008 — At least 260 St. Lawrence River residents spoke with one voice at a water levels hearing last night in Alexandria Bay. It was the last chance to persuade the International Joint Commission to adopt a more environmentally friendly plan for controlling the waters of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario. The plan, called "B+", has the support of local, state, and federal lawmakers, including Governor David Paterson, and a broad coalition of environmental groups. But following a five year, $20 million study, the IJC wants to implement a plan that's very similar to the original 50-year old one. The agency says it has to protect homeowners along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.  Go to full article

Jun 25, 2008 — 50 years ago, the Moses-Saunders power dam began producing electricity from the St. Lawrence River in Massena. It forever changed the North Country's environment, economy, and culture. The dam also gave birth to a state-owned utility called the New York Power Authority. Today, NYPA owns 18 generating plants and is one of the most politically powerful authorities in New York. It's developed a reputation for secrecy and patronage. There are widespread calls for NYPA's reform. Yesterday, the Power Authority celebrated 50 years of harnessing the waters of the St. Lawrence in a small event on the middle of the dam. As David Sommerstein reports, it was a ceremony full of contradictions.  Go to full article

Apr 15, 2008 — In 1997, Massena's 200-year old dam breached, sending miles of slow, flat water downstream. Environmentalists saw the change as a victory for free-flowing rivers and the endangered fish that thrive in them. But many Massena residents miss the high, placid waters of the old Grasse River. People used to fish and boat there. Local leaders have started a movement to return the pond, by building a hydropower dam half-a-mile downriver from where the old dam used to be. The dam's fueled a classic debate of the economy versus the environment, but with a twist. A Superfund site of toxic chemicals is also in the mix. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Mar 28, 2008 — A binational commission has chosen a new plan for controlling water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The International Joint Commission says "Plan 2007" is a minor tweak of a plan called "D+" and benefits almost every stakeholder in the region. The IJC says it improves conditions for hydropower, shipping, and some wetlands in Lake Ontario over the existing plan. And it makes water levels more reliable for the Port of Montreal. The IJC is making its decision official at press conferences in Washington and Ottawa this morning at 10. Irene Brooks is the U.S. chair of the Commission. She told David Sommerstein the IJC wanted to choose the best plan for the environment, which is known as "B+". "B+" is by far the preferred alternative in the North Country. But Brooks says that plan would cause too much erosion along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, near Rochester, and hurt property owners.  Go to full article

Mar 21, 2008 — The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, the Martha Black, continues its controversial cutting of the Seaway channel today. Environmentalists on the St. Lawrence River say icebreaking happens too early. The St. Lawrence Seaway is scheduled to open this weekend. The Department of Environmental Conservation opposes Seaway navigation before April 1st. The DEC says freighters' wakes can damage fish and wildlife habitat when there's as little as two inches of ice on the River. Two years ago, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe won a court settlement with the Seaway over icebreaking through the Akwesasne segment of the River. It allows Mohawks aboard to monitor the effect of icebreaking on the shoreline. Tony David is with the Mohawks' environment division. He was aboard the Martha Black yesterday afternoon as the icebreaker cut a channel near Valleyfield, Quebec, about 25 miles downriver from the hydropower dam in Massena. David Sommerstein asked him to step outside the wheelhouse so we could hear the icebreaker in action.  Go to full article

Dec 24, 2007 — Massena will stay at least a one company town for decades to come. Months after General Motors decided to shutdown its Massena plant, Alcoa, the world's largest aluminum producer, announced it would stay. Alcoa signed a 30-year low-cost power contract with the New York Power Authority. The company will guarantee more than 1000 jobs and overhaul its two plants in Massena. Governor Eliot Spitzer announced the pact Friday afternoon. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Nov 15, 2007 — Alcoa and the New York Power Authority are getting closer to an agreement that would keep the aluminum maker in Massena. But reports that a deal is imminent appear premature. A spokesperson for Governor Eliot Spitzer told the Watertown Daily Times "what you're hearing isn't quite what is actually going on." Alcoa and the state signed a confidentiality agreement earlier this month. The two sides are negotiating a new contract to give Alcoa low-cost hydropower produced at the dam on the St. Lawrence River. Alcoa has offered to guarantee 900 jobs and a $600 million renovation at its two plants in Massena. Currently about 1,200 people work there now. Alcoa spokeswoman Susan Flynn told the Times that "progress is being made" in the talks. Speaking in Potsdam last month, Governor Spitzer said he wants a deal done by the end of the year.  Go to full article

Sep 05, 2007 — So why are the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario so low this summer? David Sommerstein called John Kangas. He's the U.S. Secretary of the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control. This is the agency that actually determines how much water should be let through the dam in Massena, controlling water levels all the way back to Niagara Falls. Kangas says the problems started last winter, when there was too much water. So to prevent flooding in Lake Ontario, the Board let a lot of water through the dam.  Go to full article

Aug 10, 2007 — New York Senator Charles Schumer took advantage of his chamber's summer recess to visit the North Country yesterday. He toured the biomass renewable energy plant in Lewis County. And he discussed everything from Iraq and Alcoa to passports and the farm bill in Massena. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jun 13, 2007 — Negotiations over a contract for low-cost power at the Massena Alcoa plant continue with new urgency. According to published reports, the aluminum company has set an internal deadline of July 1 to secure the low-cost electricity it calls essential for continued operations. That puts added pressure on the talks and the community. Lucy Martin has more.  Go to full article