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Power Authority to Seek Community Input to Offset Emissions From Generators

Contact:
Jack Murphy
(914) 390-8198
murphy.j@nypa.gov

March 21, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBANY—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is asking residents in the communities in which it is building small turbine-generators in New York City for suggestions on how to offset any new emissions from the units. The offset program will insure there will be no net increase in emissions in the neighborhoods where the turbines will operate.

"We have promised to find ways to reduce emissions in other areas to insure that no additional pollutants will be released into the atmosphere," said Joseph J. Seymour, chairman and chief executive officer of the Power Authority. "We are asking those residents living near the generator sites to propose ways to cut other emissions so we have a zero increase in pollution."

The Power Authority is installing 10 generators in New York City and one at Brentwood, L.I., to help meet an anticipated need for new sources of electricity during the coming summer season. The state Public Service Commission, the Independent System Operator of the statewide electric grid and other groups have all predicted that continued growth in electricity demand, especially in New York City, will require the new units this summer in order to assure continued reliability and control over California-style price hikes.

Seymour asked that anyone with suggested offsets write to him by April 20 at the New York Power Authority, 123 Main Street, White Plains, N.Y. 10601.

He said ideas could include suggestions for conserving energy; for employing clean forms of localized electricity production; for operating existing power plants more efficiently; or for cutting use of gas-guzzling vehicles.

"The only requirement," said Seymour, "is that there be a demonstrated potential for reducing emissions to the air."

The Power Authority is already helping to clean the air in New York City through various major initiatives ranging from installation of energy-saving lighting and refrigerators to removal of coal-burning furnaces from schools, demonstration of clean new energy technologies and deployment of electric vehicles.

NYPA has invested nearly $300 million in its High Efficiency Lighting Program (HELP) for public facilities in the city. In related programs, it has removed polluting coal-burning furnaces from nearly 80 public schools in the city and has installed super-efficient refrigerators in more than 100,000 City Housing Authority apartments. When completed in 2003, the refrigerator program, a national model, will cover all of the Housing Authority’s more than 180,000 units.