The New York Power Authority announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer Gil C. Quiniones has resigned after 10 years in the role, to accept a position as CEO at Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd).
Justin E. Driscoll, NYPA executive vice president and general counsel, will become the interim president and CEO. Quiniones will remain at NYPA until Nov. 5 and will work with Driscoll to support the transition.
“Under Gil’s leadership, NYPA has advanced the State’s transition to a clean energy economy and helped deliver a stronger and more sustainable future for New Yorkers,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “It is with sadness that I accept his resignation, but I understand his desire to pursue an opportunity in the private sector and thank him for his decade of service to New Yorkers. He leaves the Power Authority and the State in a strong position to create a clean energy infrastructure that is reliable, resilient, and cost-effective for decades to come, and New Yorkers, including myself, are grateful for his contributions to our state.”
Quiniones is the longest-serving president and CEO in the history of NYPA, the largest state public power organization in the U.S. He has been at NYPA for 14 years, serving previously as executive vice president, energy marketing and corporate affairs and as chief operating officer.
Under Quiniones’ leadership, NYPA carried out or planned a number of major initiatives to upgrade and modernize its power generation and transmission assets and played a central role in New York State’s efforts to fight climate change. The largest of those undertakings are Next Generation Niagara, a 15-year, $1.1 billion modernization of the Niagara hydroelectric project that is well under way, and the $11 billion Clean Path NY, a transmission and generation project that was recently selected to deliver clean energy from upstate to New York City.
Quiniones prioritized operational and financial excellence, innovation, resilience, strategic vision and social and environmental justice, NYPA said. Most recently, he ushered in NYPA’s 10-year strategic plan, Vision2030 — created to advance the authority’s mission to lead the transition to a carbon-free, economically vibrant New York through customer partnerships, innovative energy solutions and the responsible supply of affordable, clean and reliable electricity.
“We are very grateful to Gil for his visionary leadership and unwavering stewardship of NYPA, and more recently, Canals. He leaves NYPA a much stronger, more resilient organization,” said John R. Koelmel, chair of NYPA’s Board of Trustees. “We will certainly miss his leadership and friendship. NYPA and Canals are, in fact, in an exciting position. The trustees and I have the utmost faith and confidence in Justin and his leadership. He has been an influential member of NYPA’s executive team and an important adviser to all of us. His wisdom and experience have been essential in developing NYPA’s VISION2030 strategy. With Justin as the interim president and CEO, NYPA will continue to lead our state toward a carbon-free, economically vibrant future.”
During Quiniones’ tenure, NYPA aggressively promoted the growth of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and electric transportation, and more, including efforts to soon become one of the first “end-to-end” digital utilities in the U.S. In 2017, he led NYPA in integrating the New York State Canal Corporation into its operations and launched the Reimagine the Canals program, an effort focused on realizing the canals’ potential for tourism, recreation and environmental protection.
“After considerable thought, I have decided that taking on this new challenge is the right move for me and my family,” Quiniones said. “While I look forward to this opportunity with excitement and anticipation, these feelings are mixed with the sadness of knowing I will miss amazing colleagues and the great sense of pride I have in all that we have accomplished together.”
NYPA operates 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80% of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower.
