Assemblyman Joe Morelle (D-Irondequoit) says New York Power Authority (NYPA) CEO Richard Kessel is stepping down.
Speaking on WXXI’s 1370 Connection Tuesday about future energy projects in New York, Morelle let slip that the head of the country’s largest state-run utility may be on his way out:
“Rich Kessel, who’s the CEO of the Power Authority, is leaving the Power Authority. You’re going to see new leadership at the Power Authority. What that does to the proposals on the table for wind farms, et cetera, I don’t know.”
Through a spokesperson, NYPA flatly denied that Kessel is leaving his post:
“Richard Kessel plans to continue to serve as the President and CEO of the New York Power Authority. He has no plans to resign.”
Earlier this month the New York Post’s Fred Dicker reported that State Inspector General Ellen Biben had launched a probe into alleged wrongdoing by Kessel.
Ever since Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed former NYPA chief John Dyson to the Power Authority’s Board of Trustees, rumors have swirled around Kessel’s future at the public utility.
Albany politics publication The Capitol even reported that Dyson “seems to be running the show.”
Morelle told the Innovation Trail, “the new governor wants to get more of a handle on what the Power Authority is doing.”
Morelle said he thought it had already been announced that Kessel was stepping down.
“I think it’s been announced,” said Morelle. “If not, you just got a scoop - because he’s going. He’ll be sorry to hear this.”
NYPA says no such announcement was made.
