Join us at at a Just Transition Assembly

Huntley, located in the Town of Tonawanda, is Erie County’s last coal-burning power plant.  A recent report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis  stated Huntley is “experiencing average annual pre-tax earnings of a negative $1 million and does not appear to be financially viable”. The report estimates that as recently as 2005, the plant was making $110 million a year and that the plant lost $1 million per year between 2009 and 2012.  The report goes on to call on community and corporate leadership.

According to the IEEFA’s press release, former First Deputy New York State Comptroller Tom Sanzillo, report co-author and director of finance, IEEFA, said:  “The challenges posed by the Huntley plant can be handled by the region if planning starts now. We estimate there are less than 70 employees who may be affected by a coal plant retirement. The goal of our plan is to provide every employee with opportunities for a stable, long term income. The weak financial condition of the Huntley plant creates a revenue risk for the Town of Tonawanda, its Highway Department, Erie County and the Ken-Ton School District. By far the largest and most important NRG payment is to the Ken-Ton School District. As the plant’s financing deteriorates, tax payments to the district will become smaller. The actual budget for 2012 for the district was $135 million. Payments from the Huntley plant constitute 5.9 percent of actual district expenditures for 2012. With adequate planning, the loss of revenue from the Huntley plant need not result in a sudden jolt to the school district budget.”  

We must make sure that if the plant retires, that workers at the plant and residents who live near the plant are protected. We must make sure that new revenue is secured for our schools and local governments, and for a clean up of the waterfront property.

Join us for a Just Transition Assembly where we will:

• Share the financial report about Huntley
• Brainstorm what residents, workers, and local governments will need in the future
• Identify community priorities

SATURDAY, March 1st 3pm: Boys and Girls Club at 54 Riverdale Rd in the Town of Tonawanda

MONDAY, March 3rd,  6pm: Grand Island Memorial Library 1715 Bedell Rd. Grand Island

THURSDAY, March 6th 6pm: Northwest Community Center at 155 Lawn Ave in Buffalo

THURSDAY, March 13th at 6pm Tonawanda City Hall, 200 Niagara St. in the City of Tonawanda