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New York power
Generates renewable electricity from the Saranac River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 1,100 homes for a year.*
Air quality & health in Clinton County
Clinton County has a population of 78,115. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 16,381 cases in the county.
No ozone or particle pollution grades are available for this county in the most recent report. The figures above describe how many residents live with conditions sensitive to air quality — not measured pollution levels.
Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to certain health conditions, particularly for children and older adults. Where electricity comes from affects how much combustion pollution is produced on the grid.
These figures describe the county as a whole and are not specific to this facility. Sources: American Lung Association – State of the Air (New York); U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.
The story behind this New York renewable energy facility
The Lower Saranac Hydroelectric Facility is one of 142 hydropower plants in New York, and it ranks #93 of those 142 by electricity produced in 2024. It sits in Plattsburgh and draws on the Saranac River, using flowing water to spin generators that make electricity. It began operating in 1990.
The plant uses conventional hydroelectric technology, meaning river water passes through turbines that turn generators. It has 3 generators and a capacity of 6.7 MW, a megawatt being a measure of the most power it can deliver at one moment. In 2024 it produced 10.9 gigawatt-hours, a unit of energy equal to the yearly use of about 1,100 homes. Water is a carbon-free fuel, since nothing is burned.
Environmental impact
Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 4,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as not using about 10,000 barrels of oil.*
Nearby places worth exploring
Plattsburgh is home to SUNY Plattsburgh and sits on the shore of Lake Champlain, which makes it a popular spot for waterfront walks. Point au Roche State Park is close by, and the northern Adirondacks are within easy reach for hiking and lake scenery.
Local school district
Peru Central School District
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* Homes-powered and emissions comparisons are annual estimates based on national averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Homes powered” describes a quantity of electricity, not direct service to specific households. How we calculate this.
