New York Mohawks vote to create electric utility
Tribe members approved creation of their own electric utility by a margin of 445-102 during tribal elections.
It will cost about $13.7 million to build a power plant and distribution system on the reservation, which borders the U.S.-Canadian border in northern New York. The tribe would also have to pay National Grid a $4.3 million exit fee.
Mohawk leaders say running their own power plant will result in lower delivery rates immediately and protect the tribe from future rate increases while enhancing its sovereignty. About 11,000 residents live on the New York side of the reservation.
The Mohawks are joining at least nine other tribes who operate their own public utilities.
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LONDON - Companies that run Britain’s electricity and gas networks, including National Grid, are making “eye-watering” profits at the expense of households, according to a well-known consumer group.
Citizens Advice believes £7.5bn in “unjustified” profits should be returned to consumers who pay for network costs via their electricity and gas bills, although its figures have been contested by the energy industry and regulator.
Ownership of electricity and gas networks came under the spotlight in the run-up to June’s general election, after the Labour party said in its manifesto it would bring both national and regional grid infrastructure to back into public ownership over time.
Electricity sector privatisation began in 1990…
