New York State Senator Lea Webb announced a significant $375,000 funding boost for WSKG public broadcasting station during a press conference held on Tuesday. The funding will be allocated to enhance the station’s emergency preparedness by purchasing new generators for seven of its transmission towers.
WSKG, a vital nonprofit organization, delivers educational and news programming across multiple counties in the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and northeast Pennsylvania. It serves as a critical Emergency Direct Link hub, providing essential public safety information during emergencies. This upgrade is crucial, especially considering the station’s role as one of the few public radio services available in many of the counties it covers.
The newly secured funding, announced on National Radio Day, will address the challenge of maintaining broadcast operations during power outages and extreme weather events. Broadcasting towers, essential for transmitting information across vast areas, rely on a stable power supply—something that is often disrupted during severe weather. The installation of these generators will ensure uninterrupted transmission of urgent information to all residents, including those in remote areas.
Senator Webb highlighted the importance of robust emergency services and reiterated her commitment to enhancing public infrastructure in the Southern Tier. “With the increasing threat of extreme weather, it is imperative that WSKG, our designated Emergency Direct Link hub in upstate New York, has the resources needed to maintain power and continue transmitting potentially life-saving alerts,” Webb stated in a press release. “These generators will help WSKG fulfill its vital role of keeping our communities informed and safe, no matter the circumstances. I am proud to deliver this funding to WSKG Public Media to fortify local infrastructure and ensure that our community has access to reliable and resilient public services.”
This funding aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Resiliency Plan,” introduced in January. The plan addresses climate change’s impact on extreme weather events and outlines several improvements, including the distribution of generators and upgrades to emergency infrastructure.
Recent weather conditions in the Southern Tier highlighted the necessity of this investment. In July, severe weather led to widespread power outages, affecting approximately 18,000 New York State Electric and Gas customers in the region.
Christopher DiRienzo, WSKG’s director of donor relationships, underscored the funding’s significance for the station’s operations. “This investment ensures that WSKG can continue to provide critical services across the 21 counties we serve, even amidst frequent and prolonged power outages,” DiRienzo said during the press conference. “The new generators will be installed at our high-powered transmitter sites, enhancing our capacity to relay important information during crucial moments of need.”
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