How is the Regulating District funded?

Hydroelectric Generating Station at the Conklingville Dam

Hydroelectric Generating Station at the Conklingville Dam

As a public benefit corporation of the State of New York, the Regulating District has four main revenue sources:

  • Statutory Beneficiaries (Hudson River and Black River Areas): In accordance with the Regulating District’s enabling statute (Article 15 Title 21 of the Environmental Conservation Law), the Regulating District annually assesses its operation and maintenance expenses, including property taxes, amongst certain statutorily-defined beneficiaries, including various hydroelectric power generators, and municipalities.
  • Hydroelectric Site Agreements (Hudson River and Black River Areas): The Regulating District receives revenues from hydroelectric site agreements that grant certain hydroelectric generators the right to use State-owned land, head and/or water rights for the production of hydroelectric power. The Regulating District is presently a party to two such agreements; one at the Conklingville Dam in the Hudson River Area and the other at the Stillwater Dam in the Black River Area.
  • Federal Headwater Benefit Fees pursuant to Section 10f of the Federal Power Act (Hudson River Only).
  • Great Sacandaga Lake Permit Fees (Hudson River Area only): The Regulating District collects an access permit fee for use of a portion of the State-owned buffer zone encompassing the Great Sacandaga Lake.

While the Black River and Hudson River Regulating Districts were consolidated in 1959, in accordance with its enabling statute, the costs of operating the two individual watersheds remain separate. The costs to operate the Hudson River Area are funded by the Hudson River Area Statutory Beneficiaries, a Hydroelectric Site Agreement for the E.J. West Hydroelectric Project located at the Conklingville Dam, and the Great Sacandaga Lake Permit Fees. The costs to operate the Black River Area are funded by the Black River Area Statutory Beneficiaries and a Hydroelectric Site Agreement for the Stillwater Hydroelectric Project located at the Stillwater Dam.