A recent Little Falls Rotary Clubs' after dinner speaker was Mario Roefaro, who is the Community and Governmental Relations Representative for the New York Power Authority. He has been with NYPA for three years and is a graduate of Binghamton University class of 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Legal Philosophy, Politics, and Law. Roefaro spoke about the Catskill Mountains being the location of a special type of hydroelectric facility that serves as a giant energy-storage device-the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.
Nestled beneath 2,000-foot-tall Brown Mountain, this project generates more than one million kilowatts of electricity in peak demand periods by drawing water from Schoharie Creek and recycling it between two huge reservoirs. Blenheim-Gilboa serves two vital functions. It saves money for New York consumers by providing low-cost electricity when they need it most. And it stores water for emergency power production.
If necessary, this project can be up and running within two minutes. It can "pinch hit" if another plant or line suddenly goes out of service. The unspoiled beauty surrounding Blenheim-Gilboa is a pleasure for the many visitors-local residents and out-of-town tourists-who flock here for educational and recreational pursuits. Besides producing power, the facility operates a Visitors Center and helps in maintaining adjacent attractions that generate good times as well.
Pictured with Roefaro (right) are Chris Farber (Herkimer County Sheriff - left) and Alan Vincent, both Rotary Members.