“Sustainability,” an emerging buzzword for the 21st century, has many definitions.

To some it’s simply “conserving our natural resources.” To others it’s “reversing the ‘greenhouse effect’” or “preserving the environment for future generations.” And to still others it’s “leaving less of a human footprint on Earth.”

And to some, it’s just one word: “green.”

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is making sustainability a cornerstone of its mission. Timothy Carey, president and chief executive officer, says the Power Authority should be “the greenest electric utility in the nation.”

As a utility, NYPA plays a major role in the reduction of greenhouse gases and use of fossil fuels by using hydropower for 80 percent of its generation, and by promoting other forms of clean, renewable energy. And as a public authority, NYPA helps to create a market for sustainable products and practices by demonstrating their effectiveness.

The Power Authority’s main effort toward sustainability in 2006 was achieving one of the highest environmental ratings from the United States Green Building Council for its office building in White Plains. That involved a lengthy check list, ranging from improving internal air circulation, cutting water usage and introducing biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products to using recycled materials and emphasizing energy-efficiency measures.

Statewide, the Power Authority in 2006 invested $118 million in energy-efficiency projects, such as new lighting and energy management systems, at public facilities, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the program’s lifetime. NYPA also participates in demonstration projects for solar
energy, fuel cells, microturbines, wind power and clean transportation, including hydrogen-fueled vehicles, all designed to help clean the air and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Also in 2006, the Power Authority culminated a two-year study by blending biofuel from soybean oil with conventional fuel oil to generate electricity at its Charles Poletti Power Project in Queens.

In future years NYPA will develop a comprehensive Sustainability Plan, spreading the effort to its sites throughout New York State, both through physical improvements and by instilling “green fever” throughout its work force as employees seek ways to contribute at work, at home and in their communities. The message will be taken to NYPA’s customers and to wherever else environmental preservation resonates. The future of our planet requires nothing less.