New York power

Generates renewable electricity from the Salmon River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 1,900 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in Oswego County

Oswego County has a population of 118,162. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 24,364 cases in the county.

The county received a grade of B for ozone pollution. No particle pollution grade is available.

Federal monitoring recorded 256 days of good air quality and 8 moderate days in the county over the most recent year, with 0 days rated unhealthy for sensitive groups.

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 Lighthouse Hill, on the Salmon River in Altmar, ranks #68 of 142 by 2024 electricity produced. Hydropower means the plant uses flowing water to spin turbines, which turn generators that make electricity. Owned by Erie Boulevard Hydropower LP, it began operating in 1930 and has two generators.

In 2024 it produced 19.2 gigawatt-hours, a gigawatt-hour being a very large unit of electricity, which is about 1,900 homes’ worth for a year. Its capacity is 8.0 MW, a megawatt being the most power it can deliver at one moment, a bit like a top speed. Because it runs on water rather than burning fuel, it is carbon-free.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 7,400 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 18,000 barrels of oil.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Altmar sits in Oswego County, near Selkirk Shores State Park, where campers and anglers gather, and the Salmon River itself is a draw for fishing. The city of Oswego, home to SUNY Oswego, is on Lake Ontario, where Fort Ontario overlooks the harbor.

Local school district

Altmar-Parish-Williamstown 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.