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New York power
Generates renewable electricity from the Chaleaugay River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 440 homes for a year.*
Air quality & health in Franklin County
Franklin County has a population of 46,502. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 9,800 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, and Chasm Hydro Partnership in Chateaugay is one of the smaller ones, ranking #130 of 142 by 2024 electricity produced. It uses conventional hydroelectric technology, meaning river water flowing past turbines spins them to make power, without burning anything. Its two generators have been running since 1982.
In 2024 the plant produced 4.4 gigawatt-hours, a gigawatt-hour being a way of counting a large amount of electricity, which is enough for about 440 homes. Its capacity is 1.6 MW, a megawatt being the most power the plant can deliver at one moment. The plant is owned by Ampersand Chasm Hydro LLC.
Environmental impact
Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 1,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as keeping about 670 tons of waste out of a landfill.*
Nearby places worth exploring
Chateaugay sits in Franklin County, in the northern part of the Adirondacks. Saranac Lake and the surrounding lake country are a well-known draw for visitors. Malone and the Titus Mountain ski area are also in the northern part of the county.
Local school district
Chateaugay 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.
