More time is expected to study dam project

MASSENA — The Massena Electric Department may get another three years to determine if building a hydro dam across the Grasse River is a good idea.

MED officials say they hope all the necessary studies will be done in a year, but they have filed for a preliminary permit extension with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which originally gave them permission to study the river in 2005.

"We'd expect to get the preliminary permit extension in August," said Andrew J. McMahon, MED superintendent. "That means we are the only ones who can study putting a dam on that site."

MED is currently working on additional environmental impact studies requested by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, including one that will detail how the dam will impact the river's endangered sturgeon population. Once those studies have been accepted by DEC, the electric company and groups affected by the project can begin discussing ways to prevent, mitigate and enhance environmental impacts of the dam. Those involved in the review include the St. Regis Mohawk tribe, DEC, the town and village of Massena and Alcoa.

The studies MED has done must be accepted by both FERC and DEC, as both have to issue permits for the work to begin. FERC has already deemed them sufficient. MED was told by DEC in February to do a third round of studies.

The proposed dam will include a powerhouse that will generate approximately 100,000 megawatt hours a year, to be used to reduce the amount of power MED has to buy from the New York Power Authority on the open market to meet customer demand. It will cost between $22 million and $25 million.