New York power

Generates renewable electricity from the Oswegatchie River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 2,200 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in St. Lawrence County

St. Lawrence County has a population of 106,940. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 22,121 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 South Edwards, on the Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County, ranks #63 of 142 by 2024 electricity produced. It began operating in 1912 and uses conventional hydroelectric technology, meaning river water flowing through turbines spins generators to make electricity.

Its four generators have a combined capacity of 4.0 MW, a megawatt being the most power a plant can deliver at one moment. In 2024 it produced 22.5 gigawatt-hours, a gigawatt-hour being a unit for measuring electricity over time, which is about 2,200 homes’ worth of yearly use. Erie Boulevard Hydropower LP owns the plant, and the electricity is carbon-free.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 8,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as taking about 1,900 cars off the road for a year.*

Nearby places worth exploring

South Edwards sits in St. Lawrence County, where the foothills of the Adirondacks meet the St. Lawrence River. The college towns of Canton, home to St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton, and Potsdam, home to Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam, are both a short drive away.

Local school district

Edwards-Knox 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.