BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI 

North Country This Week 

MASSENA — New legislation in the New York State Senate could force contractors and developers to utilize electric heat in place of natural gas by 2024.

Officials in the Town of Massena are monitoring the situation closely, with the town board moving to establish a study group to discuss and monitor the feasibility of Massena Electric supporting additional new structures that would use only electricity for heating.

“We discussed specifically a study group that’s going to talk about the utilization of electricity because of the state regulations proposed or in the process, about changing out everything to electric and getting rid of natural gas. We don’t know how far this is going to go, or how long,” Deputy Town Supervisor Pat Facteau said at a recent board meeting.

Officials worry that the sharp transition in such a short time frame could cause significant issues, especially with a number of businesses potentially moving to Massena to take advantage of the cheap hydro-electric power available. Crypto Mining operations are at the center of the conversation, with some residents saying that they want an outright ban on future crypto mining operations.

Some residents also voiced concerns at the previous town board meeting, stating their electric bills jumped 40-60% from one month to another, saying they have never been charged so much by MED. Some believe that crypto mining operations are the leading cause.

Though Town Attorney Eric Gustafson assured residents that crypto mining operations buy market power based on tariffs set and negotiated by Massena Electric, some residents remain skeptical.

“We ensure everything is done at the market rate for these companies. The tariffs are already in place with Massena Electric and market power is sold to them pursuant to MED tariffs,” Gustafson said during the meeting.

Town officials voted to extend a moratorium on new crypto mining operations in the town during a recent meeting following significant push back by town residents.

Many voiced displeasure with the town for allowing established operations to utilize sea box containers, while others voiced environmental concerns, noise concerns and cited a lack of job and economic stimulation for the region. The moratorium expires on April 30, though officials can vote to extend it again at any time before the deadline.

The All-Electric Building Act, which would outlaw the use of natural gas in new construction in New York, currently sits in committee with both the State Senate and Assembly, despite significant opposition from North Country representatives and the County Legislature.