(Jan. 2015) Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, was recently appointed as chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. He replaces former retired Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, in the position.
“Energy policy is a widely discussed and debated topic in my district,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “My district includes the Robert Moses Power Dam and the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project in Massena, which includes 16 turbine/generator units that can yield up to 912 megawatts. For as long as I’ve been alive, state and local leaders have worked together to ensure a portion of that power stays in the north country and benefits our residents and businesses. I look forward to maintaining – and possibly strengthening – that relationship in my new role as chairman.”
“In addition, I hope to continue past Chairman Maziarz’s progress with regards to maintaining a diverse energy portfolio, keeping electricity rates low, trading low-cost power for new jobs and addressing the system failures exposed during recent hurricanes and other weather events, just to name a few,” added Griffo. “I also expect our committee to continue to weigh the benefits and challenges of our net metering initiatives and consider which ways we can spur development of fuel cells in the Empire State. I also expect my new position will include working closely with the Public Service Commission to find common ground between their energy vision and ours.”
The Senate Energy Committee considers changes to the Energy Law, Public Service Law, Public Authorities Law, Economic Development Law and Rural Electric Cooperative Law. It has oversight on legislation related to energy, nuclear power, water companies, public service, communications, and e-mail and computer material, generally.
Griffo will receive a $12,500 stipend for becoming Energy Committee chairman, on top of his $79,500 base pay. He also relinquishes his chairmanship of the Senate Banks Committee.
Griffo will also serve on the following committees: Codes; Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business; Crime Victims, Crime and Correction; Cultural Affairs and Tourism; Finance; Higher Education; Infrastructure and Capital Investment; Racing, Gaming and Wagering; and Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs.
He was also named the chairman of the State-Native American Relations Select Committee and remains a member of the Science, Technology, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Select Committee. There is no stipend for this chairmanship.