Assemblywoman Addie Russell says that in failing to sign the agreement making low-cost power available to the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency, Gov. David Paterson has “let down” the North Country, but that she has not given up on the plan.

“After months of negotiations between the newly formed St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency and the New York Power Authority, Governor Paterson dashed the hopes of everyone who has worked on this issue when he refused to sign the contract,” Assemblywoman Russell said.

“The North Country has been let down by Gov. Paterson,” she said, in a press release following the announcement that Paterson would not sign the contract.

The agreement allowed the allocation of 20 megawatts of Power Authority electric power to the SLRVRA, which intended to use it to spur industry growth in Lisbon, Waddington, Louisville and Massena.

“This is a priority of mine,” the assemblywoman said.

“I thank everyone for all of the time and effort they put into coming to the agreement. I am encouraged that NYPA President and CEO Richard Kessell indicated yesterday that he too is not giving up,” Russell said.

“I will join him enthusiastically in addressing this issue with Governor Cuomo” after he is sworn in next week, Russell said.