NY Power Authority Pres. Gil Qiniones speaks with Sen. Patty Ritchie

The state Senate unanimously confirmed Gil Quiniones as president and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA).

Calling him a dedicated public servant, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he and other appointees “will transform the state's transportation and energy infrastructure while creating jobs for New Yorkers.”

Quiniones said, "Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has made 'powering New York' into the future a top priority. I thank the governor for the opportunity to help him make this priority a reality as we provide lower cost power to spur economic development, and make investments to support reliable, affordable and clean electricity for New York. These measures are integral to advancing the governor's comprehensive vision for strengthening New York's economy."

Quiniones previously served as acting president and CEO of the New York Power Authority, the nation's largest state electric utility. He was the chief operating officer since June 2008.

As COO, Quiniones was responsible for managing and monitoring the day-to-day activities of the Power Authority, which owns and operates 17 power plants and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines in various parts of New York State. He oversees operations in such areas as power generation and transmission; project development and licensing; regulatory compliance; power resource planning and acquisition; energy efficiency and technology; power marketing and economic development; and corporate services and administration.

Quiniones is a member of the board of directors of the Electric Power Research Institute, the electric power industry's international research and development organization. He is also active in the affairs of two national public power organizations, serving on the steering committee of the Large Public Power Council and as the Power Authority's principal representative to the American Public Power Association.

State Senator Patty Ritchie praised Cuomo’s choice to head the Power Authority.

“Gil Quiniones is no stranger to the issues facing Northern and Central New York and the role the New York Power Authority can play in helping to spur the upstate economy,” Ritchie said.

“I have already been working with President Quiniones on several issues that impact jobs and the economy of our region, and have been impressed with his knowledge, commitment and vision, and look forward to working with him on issues that are key to the communities of my district.”

Earlier in the day, Ritchie quizzed Quiniones about the status of a proposed contract between NYPA and the St. Lawrence River Valley Development Authority, at a hearing of the Senate’s Energy Committee, on which she serves as a member.