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Griffo, new chair of Senate energy committee, wants NYPA power for North Country to continue; Sen. Ritchie stays as ag committee chair

Posted 2/7/15

ALBANY -- Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R-Rome), who was been appointed chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee Thursday, said he wants to ensure continuing the allocation of power …

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Griffo, new chair of Senate energy committee, wants NYPA power for North Country to continue; Sen. Ritchie stays as ag committee chair

Posted

ALBANY -- Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R-Rome), who was been appointed chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee Thursday, said he wants to ensure continuing the allocation of power project electric power to the North Country.

And Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton) has been reappointed as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and in addition, was named to the Finance and Transportation Committees.

“Energy policy is a widely discussed and debated topic in my district,” Griffo said. “My district includes the Robert Moses Power Dam and the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project in Massena, which includes 16 turbine generator units that can yield up to 912 megawatts. For as long as I’ve been alive, state and local leaders have worked together to ensure a portion of that power stays in the north country and benefits our residents and businesses. I look forward to maintaining – and possibly strengthening – that relationship in my new role as chairman.”

In addition to Massena, Griffo's 47th Senate District includes, Brasher, Norfolk, Stockholm, Potsdam, Pierrepont, Russell, Clifton, Fine, and Pitcairn in St. Lawrence County, plus Lewis and Oneida counties.

The Senate Energy Committee considers changes law related to energy law, public service, public authorities such as the New York Power Authority, economic development and rural electric cooperatives, the announcement from his office said.

Griffo will receive a $12,500 stipend for becoming Energy Committee chairman, on top of his $79,500 base pay. He also relinquishes his chairmanship of the Senate Banks Committee.

Griffo will also serve on the following committees: Codes; Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business; Crime Victims, Crime and Correction; Cultural Affairs and Tourism; Finance; Higher Education; Infrastructure and Capital Investment; Racing, Gaming and Wagering; Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs; and Science, Technology, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Select Committee.

He was also named the chairman of the State-Native American Relations Select Committee. There is no stipend for this chairmanship.

Ritchie, a St. Lawrence County native whose 48th District includes the western half of St. Lawrence County including Ogdensburg, Canton and Gouverneur, claims advances in agriculture in the state since she became chair four years ago.

“In recent years we’ve made great progress to grow the agriculture industry, increasing funding for critical programs and making investments in initiatives that support our state’s hardworking farmers,” she said.

Ritchie says she managed an increase in funding for agriculture by more than $21 million above the governor’s recommendations, fostered repeal of costly mandates, and launched new initiatives including the innovative Young Farmers NY, a program that aims to protect the future of agriculture by attracting young people to careers in the industry. She has also led the fight against deadly diseases like EEE and rabies, according to a press release from her office.

As a member of the Transportation Committee, “she will focus on helping to determine investments in state infrastructure, including bridges, highways, airports and ports,” the statement said. She said the much-discussed $5 billion windfall for the state should be targeted largely to create jobs, such as by infrastructure improvements.

Ritchie will also continue to serve on the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Civil Service and Pensions, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Energy, Higher Education, Local Government and Crime Victims, Crime and Correction committees, as well as the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and the Select Committee on Libraries.