Bainbridge awaits decision on Jennison Plant proposal

BAINBRIDGE – Bainbridge residents could find out this Tuesday whether or not their community will once again be home to an electricity generation facility – one that could help in relieving the state’s electricity crunch, and create over 1,600 temporary and long-term jobs locally, officials said.

In response to Governor George Pataki’s “Advanced Clean Coal Initiative,” the Virginia-based AES Corporation has submitted a bid to the New York Power Authority to construct and operate a 500 megawatt-producing clean coal generation facility at the old Jennison plant, located on state Route 7 in the Town of Bainbridge.

“AES’ proposed facilities will help New York meet its growing demands for electricity,” said Pete Norgeot, president of AES Eastern Energy, “while also helping the state achieve its environmental and economic development goals.”

The new Jennison generator would convert coal into electricity, using state-of-the-art technology to limit waste and minimize carbon monoxide emissions, AES representatives said. If chosen, economically, the facility’s addition of 500 megawatts to the state’s utility grid could lower wholesale electricity prices, demand up 1,500 construction hires for 3-4 years, and create up to 150 permanent jobs to run the facility for the duration of its contract with NYPA. AES estimates that between future development opportunities, sub-contracting offers, and general employment, the new Jennison site could produce $20 to $25 million in gross annual income for the area.