New York Power Authority to Submit Updated Flood Study for Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project

GILBOA - ALBANY —The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced it will submit an updated flood study to the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) for the Blenheim-Gilboa (B-G) Pumped Storage Power Project. The announcement that NYPA will file the Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) and Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) studies follows a meeting between the Power Authority and the Schoharie County Hydro Resource Management Committee, a group comprised of members of the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors for the towns of Gilboa, Blenheim, Fulton, Middleburgh, Schoharie and Esperance. 

PMP studies represent the largest amount of precipitation that could theoretically occur under a combination of extreme meteorological conditions at a specific location. PMF studies detail the theoretical largest flood that could occur at a specific location based on the maximum amount of rainfall that could occur over a given area and duration. The studies will provide critical insights on how best to prepare for severe flood events and will inform risk mitigation and resiliency strategies for infrastructure in flood-prone areas. 

“After years of informed, careful planning and consideration, NYPA is prepared to submit an updated flood analysis study to FERC that will help inform risk mitigation and resiliency strategies for both the Power Authority and other local stakeholders,” said NYPA Regional Manager and SVP Timothy Rich. “NYPA is a trusted regional partner, and it will continue to work closely with downstream communities to prepare for potential threats posed by severe weather.” 

The studies, required by FERC for the continued operation of the B-G project, will help ensure that all safety measures and emergency protocols are up-to-date and effective. If the study is accepted, NYPA will engage an engineering consultant firm to conduct feasibility studies and analyses on its infrastructure to ascertain if any modifications are needed. 

NYPA provided an overview of the PMP and PMF studies to local stakeholders including first responders and officials from the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office, Schoharie County Office of Emergency Services, Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection during its  annual Emergency Action Plan review meeting in June. 

The Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project, located in Schoharie County, is an important asset in NYPA's power generation portfolio. The facility's operations and emergency protocols are continually assessed to meet stringent safety standards. The Power Authority’s commitment to transparency and community collaboration is integral to its mission of providing reliable, affordable and clean energy. 

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