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Brookfield
Power to Invest $1.4 Million on Enhancements at School Street
Hydropower Plant in Cohoes, New York
Plan Approved by Cohoes Historic Preservation
Commission
WATERFORD, New York, August 23, 2006 –
Brookfield Power announced today it will invest $1.4 million
on enhancements at its 38-megawatt School Street hydroelectric
generating facility on the Mohawk River in Cohoes, New York.
The announcement was made at a press briefing highlighting
the upcoming 2006 New York State Canal Conference, September
24 to 26 in Troy.
“These enhancements take into account the national
significance of the School Street project and its contribution
to the City’s historic district. They go above and beyond
the improvements we will make to the School Street facility
as part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission operating
license renewal,” said Tom Uncher, General Manager of
Brookfield Hudson River Operations.
The three main components of the School Street site enhancement
plan include exterior building improvements, grounds maintenance
and access road improvements, and will use materials and methods
consistent with the facility’s historic surroundings.
These plans were recently approved by the City of Cohoes Historic
Preservation Commission, allowing portions of the enhancement
work to commence immediately. Other aspects of the improvement
project require state historic approval, and should be forthcoming.
Once approval is received on the next phase, work will begin
immediately.
“These improvements will preserve the historical aspect
of the School Street facility and the nearby Harmony Mills
Historic District, protect this natural hydropower resource,
and add to the quality of life for Cohoes residents and visitors
to the City,” said Cohoes Mayor John T. McDonald III.
“Brookfield Power’s improvements, in concert with
our efforts to increase tourism to this area via our recreational
trails, lighting of the Cohoes Falls and the revitalization
of the Harmony Mills, all will create a dramatic sense of
place,” McDonald added.
These enhancements will also facilitate additional work planned
under Brookfield Power’s operating license, which is
pending with the FERC. As part of the license renewal process,
the company filed a settlement agreement with the FERC that
represents a diverse and comprehensive array of public interests,
and is the result of collaboration between Brookfield Power
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, the National Park Service, the City of Cohoes, New
York Rivers United, New York State Conservation Council, New
York Power Authority, the Rensselear County Conservation Alliance
and numerous other stakeholders.
The School Street enhancement plan includes:
exterior building improvements such as masonry repair, installation
of new windows and exterior lights, and painting;
grounds maintenance such as concrete resurfacing, removal
of retired-in-place transmission equipment, and overhead lines;
and
improvements to the facility’s access road off of
the main thoroughfare, North Mohawk Street, and enhancement
to Overlook Park, adjacent to the School Street facility,
to significantly enhance the viewing opportunity of Cohoes
Falls.
Brookfield Power has undertaken and will continue to undertake
other enhancements near the School Street facility. Recently
Brookfield Power provided more than $20,000 in funding towards
redesigning the Col. Robert R. Craner Veterans Park in Cohoes.
The park, which is situated directly across from the School
Street plant, was unveiled to the public during a May 20,
2006 dedication ceremony. The redesigned park features new
pavers, flagpoles, and sod, as well as a new biographical
signboard on the park’s namesake.
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About Brookfield Power
Brookfield Power comprises the power generating, transmission,
distribution and marketing operations of Brookfield Asset
Management. Brookfield Power has developed and successfully
operated hydroelectric power facilities, primarily in North
America, for almost 100 years. Brookfield Power’s
portfolio comprises almost 3,500 megawatts of capacity and
includes 136 hydroelectric power generating stations and
1 pumped storage facility located on 48 river systems, 2
co-generation facilities and transmission and distribution
assets, principally in the northeast North America. (See
www.brookfieldpower.com for more details). Brookfield Asset
Management Inc. is an asset manager. Focused on property,
power and infrastructure assets, the company has approximately
US$50 billion of assets under management and is co-listed
on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol
BAM. (See www.brookfield.com for more details).
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