Nearly 400,000 Massachusetts households may not benefit from cheap hydroelectricity if the New York State Power Authority (NYPA) in the US is to sell all of its hydro power in the New York state.

NYPA develops power from hydroelectric dams on the St Lawrence river. The US government paid for the construction of these dams on the condition that NYPA sell some power to neighbouring states. However, New York argues that it needs all the power it develops.

The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company is opposing the change as it saves Massachusetts ratepayers US$10M a year buying hydro power from the dams.