NYPA Celebrates Earth Day!
A Message from President and CEO Roger B. Kelley
The New York Power Authority is particularly proud to support Earth Day activities around the state. Our many programs to protect the environment and conserve energy are very much in line with the goals of the Earth Day movement. We are working hard to achieve the distinction of being one of the cleanest and greenest utilities in the country.
About 75 percent of our power production is clean, renewable hydropower, which plays a major role in the reduction of greenhouse gases and use of fossil fuels. Beyond that, we have invested more than $1 billion in energy-efficiency programs at 2,660 public facilities around that state, and we’re expanding our energy-efficiency work. The energy-use reductions from these programs to date save taxpayers more than $100 million per year in energy costs, reduce greenhouse gases by more than 830,000 tons annually and cut the consumption of oil by more than 2 million barrels per year. Our use of energy-efficiency and other “sustainability” principles in our own White Plains office has cut energy use by 50 percent and secured for the Power Authority one of the first national awards for sustainability.
Other environmentally-friendly NYPA activities include:
- Increasing its activities in renewable energy technologies like solar power, wind energy, fuel cells and biomass, and focusing on our electric and hybrid-electric demonstration vehicles, which have logged nearly 9 million miles on the state’s roadways;
- Playing a major role in Governor Paterson’s bold “15 by 15” Plan to cut New York State’s electrical consumption by 15 percent from forecasted levels by 2015. NYPA will nearly double our energy efficiency budget to $1.4 billion to reduce electricity consumption use by government buildings and schools throughout the state; and
- Committing to advancing the goals of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in 10 Northeastern states.
This Earth Day finds the environmental movement strong and getting stronger. The Power Authority will continue to search for ways to use our resources to promote cleaner air, renewable fuels, new technologies and—most of all—energy conservation.
Click on the links below to find out more about NYPA’s efforts to promote Earth Day and our environment-friendly events, initiatives and projects.
News
Celebrations
At Our Visitors Centers
Saturday, April 19 – Lewiston, NY: Every Day Is Earth Day at the Power Vista, the admission-free visitors center at the Niagara Power Project, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibitors will include: Buffalo Zoo Mobile; Wilson's Lion Club; Mama Earth's Kitchen Band; Niagara River Iroquois Dancers; Barb and Nelson Colley. Trolley car transportation, provided by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, will be available for travel between the Power Vista and Niagara Gorge Discovery Center. For more information: 716-286-6661 or toll-free at 1-866-NYPA-FUN (1-866-697-2386). (See press release).Saturday, April 19 – North Blenheim, NY: Earth Day 2008 at the Blenheim-Gilboa visitors center will feature a puppet show on recycling and free movie showings on "A World at Waste" and "Where the Garbage Goes." Every visitor will receive free tree sapling. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission-free. For more information call: 800-724-0309. (See press release).
Tuesday, April 22 – North Blenheim, NY: The New York Power Authority's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project's Visitors Center will host this year's Capital Region Envirothon, including over 18 high school teams (representing Schoharie, Albany and Schenectady counties) with approximately 160 participants. Schools must pre-register, but admission is free for spectators. For more information, call: 716-286-6661 or toll-free at 1-866-NYPA-FUN (1-866-697-2386). (See press advisory).
Thursday, May 1 – Lewiston, NY: The New York Power Authority is partnering with the Niagara and Orleans Counties Soil and Water Districts to host the 19th annual Niagara-Orleans Regional Envirothon at the Power Vista, the Niagara Power Project’s admission-free visitor’s center. Approximately 65 students are expected to participate from area high schools. Competition begins at 9:30am and the awards ceremony will be held at noon. For more information: 716-286-6661 or toll-free at 1-866-NYPA-FUN (1-866-697-2386)
Thursday, June 5, and Friday, June 6 – North Blenheim, NY: NYPA's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitors Center will host Stamford Central School's observance of Earth Day with a two-day program of educational activities.
Monday, June 9 – North Blenheim, NY: The Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center will host a Conservation Field Day for sixth graders, organized by the Schoharie County Soil & Water Conservation District. Various stations around the visitors center site will provide youngsters with hands-on lessons about flora, fauna, water quality and clean energy. Homeschoolers are welcome to participate in this educational program by calling Brenda Weaver at 518-234-4092.
In the Community
Friday, April 11 – Greenburgh, NY: NYPA Community Relations representative Sobeida Cruz will make a presentation on NYPA's energy services at the African American Men of Westchester's Environmental Conference, Theodore Young Community Center, 32 Manhattan Avenue, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. For more information: 914-949-9463
Sunday, April 13 – Valhalla, NY: NYPA will display hybrid-electric vehicles and host an information booth at this Westchester County Earth Day Event. Kensico Dam Plaza, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Admission-free. For more information: 914-995-3113
Wednesday, April 16 – Flushing, NY: NYPA will display hybrid-electric vehicles and host an information booth at the "People, Prosperity, and the Plant Earth Fair, sponsored by the Queens College Environmental Club and NYPIRG, 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., Admission-free. For more information: 347-227-1660.
Saturday, April 19 – The Bronx, NY: NYPA will display hybrid-electric vehicles and host an information booth at the "Get Green South Bronx Earth Festival," St. Mary's Park (St. Ann's Ave, btw. 146-148th St, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Admission-free. For more information: 718-729-3001, ext. 202 (See press advisory).
Saturday, April 26 – Staten Island, NY: NYPA will display hybrid-electric vehicles and host an information booth at the Staten Island Zoo Earth Day event. Adults $7.00; Seniors $5.00 ; Children 3-14 years-of-age $4.00; Children two & under, free. 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. For more information, contact: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, (718) 442-3101. ( See press advisory).
Wednesday, April 30 – Pleasantville, NY: NYPA will host an information booth at Pace University's Students for a Sustainable Future Conference & Expo at the Pleasantville campus. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission-Free. For more information: 914-238-4743.
Thursday, May 8 – Paul Smiths, NY: NYPA will co-sponsor the Northern Adirondack Envirothon at Paul Smith's College and display hybrid-electric vehicles and host an information booth. The college is located at State Route 86 & State Route 30, Paul Smiths, NY. For more information contact, Jill Chamberlain, NYPA, 315-764-6841 or Dawn Howard, St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District, 315-386-3582. Schools must pre-register, but admission is free for spectators.
Saturday, June 21 – Buffalo, NY: NYPA will join with other area environmental groups in participating in the Buffalo Zoo's Earth Day event with an informational exhibit. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Buffalo Zoo at (716) 837-3900.