New York power

Generates renewable electricity from the Hudson River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 4,900 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in Warren County

Warren County has a population of 65,380. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 14,698 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

New York has 142 hydropower plants in this category, and the Brookfield Power Glen Falls Hydro plant on the Hudson River in Glens Falls ranks #30 of 142 by 2024 electricity produced. It began operating in 1944 and uses conventional hydroelectric technology, meaning river water flows through turbines that spin generators, with no fuel burned.

In 2024 it produced 48.5 gigawatt-hours, a gigawatt-hour being a very large unit of electricity, enough to power about 4,900 homes. Its five generators have a combined capacity of 11.8 MW, a megawatt being the most power the plant can deliver at once, roughly enough for about 4,900 homes at full tilt.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 19,000 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 46,000 barrels of oil.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Glens Falls sits at the edge of the Adirondacks, a short drive from Lake George and the village on the lake’s southern shore. Visitors also head to Gore Mountain, a well-known ski resort in the region.

Local school district

Glens Falls Common School District

Common questions

* 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.