This video is the last 30 minutes (unedited) of a controversial public meeting held on Thursday, March 13 from 6p-9:30p at the Coeymans Town Hall.
Two local women react during Q&A At the Coeymans Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025 people heard about a proposal to build a high-voltage 50-100MW (megawatt) electric substation at the Port of Coeymans to support more manufacturing.
Representatives from the FAST NY Shovel-Ready program, part of NYS Empire State Development (ESD), brought a slide presentation showing how similar projects had benefited local communities and helped meet Governor Hochul’s commitment to generate good and economic growth. FAST NY had agreed in 2023 to award $17 million towards the cost of building the substation, a small fraction of the total cost: $80-100 million. To get the money, the Town needs to accept the grant by the FAST deadline in November 2025.
Town Board members, as well as CAC members and area residents, had a number of questions: who might be the “end-users” of this electricity, how much would it cost the Town, and where would any manufacturing be located?
Unfortunately, the meeting’s ‘fact-finding’ objective unravelled during the last 30 minutes. Town Councilman, Stephen J. Schmitt, presented a resolution for an immediate vote. The resolution turned over all negotiations on the grant to the Advance Albany County Alliance. Local residents will not be able to debate the long term consequences of the proposal. Nor will the Town be involved in defining the terms of the grant, although the Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor will sign any agreements negotiated by the Albany Alliance.
CAC members were taken aback. Why is this power needed, especially as wind power is not currently viable economically or politically? Would future manufacturing sites invade residential areas along the Hudson? Will residents see even more industrial truck traffic through the town? What will happen to our house values, health, or local environment?
Town Supervisor, Stephen Donnelly, and Deputy Supervisor, Michael Stott, urged the Town Board to exercise caution, care, and prudence by not voting immediately. They were backed by the Town’s Attorney, Rich Reilly, who was seeing the resolution for the first time. He warned it was unwise to pass a resolution before seeing the underlying agreements. It was like signing a contract before it was even written.
Unhappily, the other board members were not convinced. They voted 3-2 to pass the resolution.
What will this mean for Coeymans? Will local people benefit or only local businesses?
Come to the next Town Board meeting at 6pm on March 27th to voice your opinion.
Revised Grading Plan to allow for more manufacturing at the Port of Coeymans with the building of a new 50-100MW electric substation.