NEW YORK: NYISO Foresees 'Razor-Thin' Margin for Grid— As a result of the installation of 400 megawatts of new electric generating capacity by the Power Authority and other measures, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) forecast that New York City and the entire state "should manage to avoid blackouts even during the hottest months of 2001." In its updated outlook for New York's electricity system, the NYISO predicted that the NYPA gas turbines, along with repairs and improvements to existing facilities and energy conservation, will give the city "a razor-thin positive margin beginning in July, and the state as a whole should be able to squeak through." By July, the installed capacity in both the city and the state is projected to exceed levels required to meet the peak demand through October. Noting the continued growth in New York's electric demand, NYISO President William Museler warned that additional generation must be sited and built on an expedited basis to ensure the future reliability of the power supply. The NYISO operates New York's transmission system and administers the state's wholesale energy markets.

ALBANY: Power for Jobs Program Surpasses Goals— Gov. George E. Pataki has announced that an overwhelming majority of companies and non-profit organizations receiving low-cost electricity under his Power for Jobs^TM program have met or exceeded their commitments to protect or create jobs. Nearly 270,000 jobs are now linked to the Power Authority-administered initiative. The program, which was introduced in 1997, was initially expected to help secure about 40,000 jobs over three years. "By providing low-cost energy, we can make New York State more economically competitive so we can attract new business from other states and strengthen our economy," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. Under the latest quarterly review of the program, more than 200 customers that began receiving Power for Jobs during the third quarters of 1998 and 1999 reported overall employment levels of 86,688 jobs, 3,700 more than had been promised. NYPA Chairman Joseph J. Seymour said the program's success "explains why the Governor and Legislature last year provided the program with 300 megawatts of additional power through 2005, allowing the state to continue to add to the job totals."

POTSDAM: NYPA Grant Boosts Clarkson Energy Upgrades—A $250,000 grant from the state Petroleum Overcharge Restitution Fund and $2.4 million in financing from the Power Authority will enable Clarkson University to implement energy efficiencies at its Cora and Bayard Clarkson Science Center that will save the school about $770,000 annually. The work will include lighting upgrades, fume-hood modifications in science labs and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system improvements. State Senators Jim Wright and Raymond Meier were instrumental in obtaining the funds. "Helping Clarkson is one of the hundreds of energy-saving projects the Power Authority has taken on, under Govenor Pataki's direction, to lower energy costs throughout the state," said NYPA Chairman Joseph J. Seymour. NYPA will recover its costs by sharing in Clarkson's bill savings.

NEW YORK: Low-Cost Power Incubates High-Tech Jobs—An allocation of low-cost Power Authority electricity will protect 131 existing jobs and create 35 new ones at a Columbia University enterprise specializing in starting up biotechnology businesses. NYPA trustees on May 22 approved the allocation of 1,000 kilowatts to the New York City Public Utility Service (NYCPUS) for resale to the Audubon Business and Technology Center, at a building leased by Columbia University's School of Health Science. "This is another example of the vigorous efforts undertaken under Governor Pataki's leadership to accelerate the growth of high-tech industries," said NYPA Chairman Joseph J. Seymour. Audubon is estimated to save $200,000 a year with the NYPA power, with much of the savings passed on to the 16 biotechnology companies it houses. NYCPUS is one of several downstate municipal distribution agencies that receive NYPA electricity for resale to industrial customers.

NORTH BLENHEIM: Historic Home to Undergo Renovation— Lansing Manor, a pre-Civil War home at NYPA's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project, will undergo a major renovation, starting in mid-June. While the manor will be closed until next spring, an adjacent building will serve as a temporary visitors center, featuring a 30-minute video walking tour of the manor and historical objects from the collection. The renovation, building on work completed in 1996, will consist of interior and exterior decorative enhancements, a new roof and energy-efficiency improvements. The manor, built in 1819 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, was restored by the Power Authority in 1977 and opened as a museum in conjunction with the Schoharie County Historical Society.

NORTH BLENHEIM: Fueling the Fun at Visitors Center— Visitors to NYPA's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center can receive $25 worth of free gasoline as part of a Fueling the Fun summer tourism promotion package, launched by the Schoharie Valley Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with a local bed-and-breakfast inn and several area motels. The package includes two nights lodging, a box lunch, free ears of popping popcorn, a tour of the NYPA visitors center and tickets to other area attractions. For more information, call 1-800-41-VISIT (800-418-4748), or log onto the www.fuelingthefun.com or www.schohariechamber.com websites.

In the Community: NYPA representatives were scheduled to present an electric vehicle and promote the Power Authority's admission-free visitors centers, at the Coach USA Trade Show, Sheraton Hotel, Rochester, June 5….Sheryl Brunett, senior tour guide at NYPA's Niagara Power Project, was scheduled to speak to the Youngstown Lions Club on The Construction of the Niagara Project, June 5….Bob Hadler, community relations manager for Northern New York, gave a presentation to the Norwood Kiwanis Club on the relicensing of NYPA's St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, June 4….NYPA co-sponsored the Seaway Trail’s Family Day, Sackets Harbor, and representatives explained various ways of producing electricity, June 3….James McCarthy, Jr., regional manager for Central New York, presented Power Authority contributions totaling $10,000 to five local fire departments and four area rescue squads during Emergency Services Appreciation Day at NYPA’s Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center, North Blenheim, June 2. The organizations, which serve the project and surrounding areas, are the Blenheim Hose Company, Conesville Fire Department, Conesville Rescue Squad, Grand Gorge Fire Department, Grand Gorge Rescue Squad, Jefferson Fire Department, Jefferson Rescue Squad, Middleburgh Fire Department and Middleburgh Emergency Volunteer Ambulance Corps....More than 500 people attended the Stamford Central School's Earth Day at the Blenheim-Gilboa project visitors center. The two-day event consisted of environmental, historical, aquatic and energy-education programs for students in kindergarten through the sixth grade, May 31-June 1….Power Authority electric vehicles were on view at Howes Cavern, Howes Cave, and the New York State Envirothon Competition, at the State University at Cobleskill, both on May 30, and at the Saratoga Dressage, at the Saratoga Equine Sports Center, Saratoga Springs, May 25….Joe Leary, senior intergovernmental specialist, spoke about careers in the utility industry to students at P.S. 70 in Astoria, May 30, and P.S. 21 in Flushing, May 21….NYPA representatives staffed a booth showcasing the St. Lawrence-FDR project's visitors center, at the Business-to-Business Trade Show, St. Lawrence Center Arena, Massena, May 23.