New York power

Generates renewable electricity from wind, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 17,000 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

Of the 33 wind plants New York counts in this category, the Chateaugay wind plant in Franklin County ranks #18 by electricity produced in 2024. It began operating in 2009 and uses an onshore wind turbine, which is simply a tall machine on land that turns moving air into electricity. Wind is a renewable, carbon-free source.

In 2024 the plant produced 170.5 gigawatt-hours, a gigawatt-hour being a large unit for measuring electricity, or about 17,000 homes’ worth of yearly use. Its capacity is 106.5 MW, a megawatt being the most power it can send out at one moment. Valcour Operating Services, LLC owns it, and the New York Power Authority is the utility.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 66,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as taking about 14,000 cars off the road for a year.*

Nearby places worth exploring

The northern Adirondacks sit close by, with Saranac Lake and the lake country drawing visitors for hiking and paddling. Malone is in the north of Franklin County, and Titus Mountain ski area is nearby for winter outings.

Local school district

Chateaugay Central 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.