Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As Ontario Premier Doug Ford plans on a 25% tariff on electricity exports, one New York State lawmaker says power supply will not be affected. However, bill rates can be spared from raises if the state does something about where it gets power.
State Sen. Rob Ortt says this could affect a lot of area ratepayers' bills.
"We have enough power to meet the demand," said Ortt in an interview with WBEN. "We can get more power from other states. So we have the ability to offset any loss of electricity flowing over or trying to offset the increase maybe to some people's bills by shifting our reliance to other places instead of getting it from Ontario. But if everything stayed the same, those tariffs would certainly have an impact on the bottom line of a lot of New Yorkers bills, at a time when New Yorkers are already paying very high bills."
The Lewiston Power Vista provides power to Western New York, but Ortt says not all the power stays here.
"I can tell you not enough of it stays in Western New York," he said. "That goes not only over New York, it goes to other states, right under the federal sort of licensing and federal requirements. So that is that isn't even all New York centric power. Some of that goes to other parts of the country as well."
Ortt estimates anywhere from 4%-to-11% of power in New York comes from Canada.
Kevin Lanahan, Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communications for New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) issued this statement:
"The U.S. and Canada have one of the most integrated electric grids in the world, allowing system operators in both countries to pool resources for improved reliability and economic efficiency. We are in close and regular contact with Hydro Quebec and Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator. The NYISO anticipates having adequate supplies to meet expected demand on the system."