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Schimminger pushing for support for Tonawanda, Dunkirk, amidst NRG closings

NYS Assembly Robin Schimminger website

When Governor Cuomo delivers his State of the State message today, he will be talking about the great issues of ethics, finances and infrastructure. Some, though, will be more concerned about district issues like vital tax bases back home.

For generations, the NRG Dunkirk power station and NRG's Huntley Plant have been part of the fabric of Dunkirk and the Town of Tonawanda. It's not clear either will be around much longer nor will the property taxes they represent.

Dunkirk may stay alive by switching from coal to natural gas as the fuel for electricity generation.

Tonawanda Assemblyman Robin Schimminger says he wants state law made absolutely clear because of concern about Huntley.

"Refine and more closely define the Fossil Fuel Electrical Generating Plant Closure Fund, legislation that was contained in the final bill that was adopted by the Legislature at the end of last year's session," says Schimminger.

Schimminger says the fund has 19-million dollars but he wants legal clarity so that cash will flow to local governments and schools districts if Huntley closes and taxes stop.

Dunkirk Mayor Wilfried "Willie" Rosas has been meeting with state officials to protect his city if the plant closes, planning for cuts in city costs and school district costs if the property taxes stop coming in.

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.
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