Hydro Electric Commission of Niagara Falls Ontario Scrapbook, 1936-1939, 1943-1951

Sir Adam Beck ( a London, Ontario manufacturer, Mayor and Conservative member of the provincial legislature) was a champion of municipal and provincial power ownership. Beck become the “Power Minister” and chairman of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario which was the world’s first publicly owned utility. In 1925 the first unit of the Hydro Electric Power Commission’s Queenston Chippawa hydro-electric development on the Niagara River went into service. The station was renamed in 1950 as “Sir Adam Beck #1”. This marked the 25th anniversary of Beck’s death. This is one of 2 generating stations in Niagara Falls. There is also Adam Beck Plant #2. The Niagara generating stations supply one quarter of all power used in New York State and Ontario.Ontario Hydro has two water tunnels which traverse the entire City of Niagara Falls from the Village of Chippawa in the South to the Sir Adam Beck Hydro Electric Generating Stations in the North. Also they are in the process of building the third tunnel. In addition, Ontario Hydro has a 13.6 km open canal which traverses the entire City of Niagara Falls. Source: http://www.hydroone.com/OurCompany/Pages/OurHistory.aspx

1 Scrapbook divided into 2 sections. Each section contains clippings. The first half of the scrapbook contains clippings which range from 1936 – 1942. The second half of the book also contains clippings. These clippings feature stories about: 1936 – Information about bondholders 1946 – Critical power shortages which last until 1950 1947 – Conversion to 60-cycle is urged 1948 – Local industries are badly crippled by a lack of power 1949 – Announcement of construction of a plant on the lower Niagara River to start as soon as a treaty is signed. 1950 - Power treaty is announced which will double the output of Niagara power 1951 – 60 cycle power is made available in Niagara Falls on July 6th, 1951 - A second tunnel for hydro power might be started in the autumn of 1951 at Sir Adam Beck Generating Station no. 2