Electric bills might come with a shock soon. Rep. Brian Higgins says wholesale prices have been spiking since the Huntley plant in Tonawanda was shut down in February.
Higgins says since the coal-fired plant shut down in February, wholesale prices have spiked as much as 90%. The solution, he says, is to use the Niagara Power Project to benefit Western New Yorkers.
"We're generating, in this community, more hydro-electricity than any other area in the state of New York. The problem it's not staying here. It's being exported throughout New York state and to seven states outside of New York...It's the unique natural resources of western New York that makes cheap hydro-electricity possible," Higgins said.
The South Buffalo Democrat says electric bills could double by summer. He is calling on the New York Power Authority to act, saying NYPA generates more than enough electricity and revenue to prevent rate hikes.
Higgins says NYPA has confirmed that it has the production capacity at Niagara Falls to make up the power lost by closing the River Road plant. Most of Niagara's electricity is sent to New York City and seven other states.