I am speaking out about the resolution passed by the Town Board to move ahead with a project to build a high-voltage 50-100MW (megawatt) electric substation at the Port of Coeymans.
I watched the March 13, 2025 Town Board meeting.
The embarrassing behavior exhibited by board member Stephen Schmidt reflects badly on him as a public servant and the Town. I was NOT convinced by the FAST NY Shovel-Ready program presentation showing how similar projects had benefited other communities. The award of $17 million towards the cost of building this substation is just a small fraction of the total cost of $80-100 million.
In calling for a snap vote on what I see is “The Complete Unknown” is in itself suspect. Why did Mr. Schmidt do this? The Town Supervisor, Stephen Donnelly, and Deputy Supervisor, Michael Stott, urged the Town Board to use reason and not vote until many questions on this resolution
and the entire project are answered to not just the Board but to the residents of the Town. The Town’s legal counsel Rich Reilly, who had not seen the resolution, warned it was unwise to pass a resolution before seeing the underlying agreements. What prudent business person does
that? And why did Mr. Hotaling and Ms. Bruno vote yes? Who in the state and county is putting pressure on this Board to railroad this through?
This passed resolution turns over negotiations to the Advance Albany County Alliance. Worse yet the Town will not be involved in defining the terms of any grants. None of us local residents can participate in a debate on the long-term consequences of the proposal, which could further harm the community.
This Town and its residents have been held hostage and harmed by Holcim International, the DEC, the Port of Coeymans, and the powers that be in the State and County for many years. Visit this website and you’ll find a historical record of what has happened to this Town and the Village over time.
I want answers before anything more is done:
Who will this project benefit and who will it burden?
Where will the rest of the money to build this substation come from?
Why is this power needed since large-scale wind power appears to be off the table for the Port of Coeymans?
Will future manufacturing sites invade residential areas along the Hudson?
Will residents see even more industrial truck traffic through the town and village? What will happen to our home values, health, local environment , and town’s population?
I must point out that Rosemary McHugh – spouse of George McHugh, former Town Supervisor who aspires to another term in the town in the upcoming November election – works for the Advance Albany Alliance.
This project and all the others that would expand industrialization on the shores of the Hudson River have been preordained by powers outside the town for a long time. I am sure I am not the only resident who feels that we are pawns in the high stakes of tens of millions of dollars to be
made for the stakeholders, but nothing for us.
I am not in favor of this project or this money flowing to the town for this project until all of the above questions are answered to the satisfaction of all of us. I applaud and support Supervisor Donnelly and Deputy Supervisor, Michael Stott in doing the right thing.
— Christine Primomo