St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Seskeha / August 18, 2005

For information contact:
Public Information Office
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675

TRIBE SEEKS INFORMATION ON ELECTRICAL SERVICE FROM AKWESASNE RESIDENTS
Denial of Service Information Requested

AKWESASNE , N.Y. — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is in the process of evaluating the future supply and delivery of electricity to the Akwesasne community. With the pending allocation of 9 MW of low-cost power to the community from its land claim settlement, the Tribal Council believes it is an opportune time to undertake this work.

The Tribe is seeking the help of Akwesasne residents and is asking for information from reservation businesses in regards to their future electrical needs. In particular, the Tribe is asking for estimated loadings from future growth so that it can develop a plan to properly meet the future energy needs of the community.

“We’re asking for the community’s help in gathering information on electrical service in the community,” Chief Barbara A. Lazore stated. “The Tribal Council is attempting to determine the future energy needs of our community,” she added

Community members can contact the Tribe’s Economic Development office with their information. The office can be reached at (518) 358-2272, ext. 164.

At the same time, the Tribe is evaluating its options on the delivery of electricity to Akwesasne. The Tribe is having discussions on a new service agreement with National Grid (formerly Niagara Mohawk) to continue providing electrical service to the Akwesasne community. Discussions have taken place over the past several months and one meeting has taken place with representatives of National Grid.

The Tribe is deeply concerned with the rolling brownouts that have been imposed by National Grid this summer to parts of the Akwesasne community. In addition, for the past few months, the company has not been acting upon new service connection requests from reservation-based customers, both residential and business alike.

“We urge Tribal members to contact the Public Service Commission and file complaints if they are not getting timely service,” stated Chief James W. Ransom. “As our area’s only Independent Service Provider, National Grid has a responsibility to provide service,” he added.

The Public Service Commission can be reached at 1-800-342-3377 to file complaints. The Tribe is also urging that its Legal Department be contacted at the same time to help it evaluate how many residents and businesses are having problems in getting electrical service. The information gathered will be used by the Tribe in its future discussions with National Grid. Individuals can reach the Legal Department at (518) 358-2272, ext. 249.

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.








		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Seskeha / August 18, 2005 For information contact: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 TRIBE SEEKS INFORMATION ON ELECTRICAL SERVICE FROM AKWESASNE RESIDENTS Denial of Service Information Requested AKWESASNE , N.Y. — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is in the process of evaluating the future supply and delivery of electricity to the Akwesasne community. With the pending allocation of 9 MW of low-cost power to the community from its land claim settlement, the Tribal Council believes it is an opportune time to undertake this work. The Tribe is seeking the help of Akwesasne residents and is asking for information from reservation businesses in regards to their future electrical needs. In particular, the Tribe is asking for estimated loadings from future growth so that it can develop a plan to properly meet the future energy needs of the community. “We’re asking for the community’s help in gathering information on electrical service in the community,” Chief Barbara A. Lazore stated. “The Tribal Council is attempting to determine the future energy needs of our community,” she added Community members can contact the Tribe’s Economic Development office with their information. The office can be reached at (518) 358-2272, ext. 164. At the same time, the Tribe is evaluating its options on the delivery of electricity to Akwesasne. The Tribe is having discussions on a new service agreement with National Grid (formerly Niagara Mohawk) to continue providing electrical service to the Akwesasne community. Discussions have taken place over the past several months and one meeting has taken place with representatives of National Grid. The Tribe is deeply concerned with the rolling brownouts that have been imposed by National Grid this summer to parts of the Akwesasne community. In addition, for the past few months, the company has not been acting upon new service connection requests from reservation-based customers, both residential and business alike. “We urge Tribal members to contact the Public Service Commission and file complaints if they are not getting timely service,” stated Chief James W. Ransom. “As our area’s only Independent Service Provider, National Grid has a responsibility to provide service,” he added. The Public Service Commission can be reached at 1-800-342-3377 to file complaints. The Tribe is also urging that its Legal Department be contacted at the same time to help it evaluate how many residents and businesses are having problems in getting electrical service. The information gathered will be used by the Tribe in its future discussions with National Grid. Individuals can reach the Legal Department at (518) 358-2272, ext. 249. -30- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.