Legislators: death of MED dam shows agencies need reform

MASSENA — State legislators say they understand the frustration Massena residents are feeling after the Massena Electric Department ended plans to move forward with its hydroelectric dam.

The Massena Electric Utility Board voted last Wednesday to end the 12-year effort to build a new dam in the river. MED officials said a lack of cooperation from state and federal regulatory agencies made the project too costly and time prohibitive. MED and Alcoa already had spent about $5 million on the project.

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, called the cancellation "unfortunate," and said state regulatory agencies such as the Department of Environmental Conservation need to be reined in.

"That's what happens sometimes with state agencies," he said. "Every agency needs to be reaching out to figure out a way to assist any project or initiative as opposed to finding ways to block it."

Because the governor and executive branch appoint regulatory agency members, agency reform begins there, Mr. Griffo said.

"It starts with an executive branch that's sensitive and responsive to community concerns and ideas," he said.

The Legislature also can attempt agency reform, he said, but such laws would be more difficult to pass because they would need the majority approval of both houses, a typically difficult task in Albany.

Protecting the environment and developing the economy do not have to be mutually exclusive, Mr. Griffo said.

"That's the problem," he said. "Too many people look at it, 'Well, it's got to be this way or that way.' It doesn't. And it shouldn't."

Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, said there were a lot of positives to the project, such as recreational opportunities on the river, that are now lost.

"I was disappointed that essentially MED was forced to end the project," he said.

Mr. Aubertine said he didn't think MED was treated fairly in the process.

"Every time Massena Electric offered an idea or suggestion, it was always met with 'OK, that sounds good, what about this?'" he said. "It just seemed the end zone kept moving."

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell said she plans to have a conversation with the next governor about the dam issue to stress the importance of his state agency appointments.

Mrs. Russell said she is still looking at opportunities for future discussion on the project.

"I don't like to completely close the door, especially when we are just a few months away from a completely new administration," she said. "However, this is ultimately a community decision, and it was a very tough decision to come to, but I think it was a necessary one."