NEW YORK: Emergency Generators Set to Meet Peak Needs—Just in time for the summer period of greatest electricity use, the Power Authority is phasing in 10 small, clean electric generators in New York City and one on Long Island to avert power shortages and price spikes. By the end of June, as many as 10 of NYPA's PowerNow! gas turbine-generators could be in operation, at two sites in the Bronx and one each in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Brentwood, Suffolk County. One other unit, at a second Brooklyn location, is planned for operation later in the summer. The generators will ensure the availability of more than 450 megawatts (mw) of electricity for the summer peak-demand season. The New York Independent System Operator, which previously projected a need for 400 mw of in-city generating capacity, said in an updated forecast that as a result of the Power Authority's gas turbines and other measures, New York City and the entire state "should manage to avoid blackouts even during the hottest months of 2001."

ALBANY: Governor Eyes New Clean-Energy Role for NYPA—Gov. George E. Pataki has proposed a new role for NYPA and the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in helping government entities reduce their energy consumption and install clean-energy technologies. Legislation proposed by Governor Pataki on June 15 called for allowing the public sector to take advantage of the competitive procurement practices of NYPA and NYSERDA to obtain energy-efficiency services and renewable energy resources. The bill would accelerate the procurement process by enabling public entities to benefit from NYPA's and NYSERDA's experience and established networks of energy-services providers. The Governor proposed the legislation in the same week he issued an Executive Order requiring state agencies and authorities to substantially cut their energy consumption and increase their use of renewable energy. "This legislation will enable school districts, colleges and universities and local governments across New York to follow our lead," he said, "by making it easier for them to embrace clean-energy technologies in a timely and cost-effective manner."

QUEENS: Hearing Focuses on Combined-Cycle Proposal—About 45 people turned out for a public hearing in Long Island City on June 4 on the Power Authority's plan to build a 500-megawatt combined-cycle generating plant adjacent to its Charles Poletti Power Project in Astoria. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the state Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment jointly conducted the hearing to receive comments on the permits the Power Authority needs from the DEC, as well as NYPA's application to build the plant under Article X of the state's Public Service Law. On June 5, the DEC and the siting board held a public prehearing and issues conference at the state Public Service Commission's offices in Manhattan to identify interested parties in the DEC proceeding, review Article X intervenor applications for funding and define the key issues in the DEC and Article X processes. Another issues conference has been set for June 26. The plant is scheduled for construction starting next year, provided NYPA receives the necessary permits. Completion is planned for 2004.

WESTERN NEW YORK: Energy Services Provide Major Benefits— More than 60 Power Authority energy-services projects at schools and other public facilities across Western New York have cut their electric bills by $2.3 million a year, reducing the burden on taxpayers. Projects have ranged from lighting upgrades and other energy-efficiency improvements at state and local office buildings, libraries and state university campuses to the replacement of coal-burning furnaces at Buffalo schools and the installation of rooftop solar panels at the Buffalo Museum of Science. In addition to reducing energy costs, the projects have helped clean the air by avoiding annual emissions of 29,000 tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Projects currently under way or planned will add to the benefits. NYPA is planning to implement $1.3 million in energy-saving measures at 20 public buildings in Niagara County. And in Lewiston, the Power Authority is helping to fund and directing construction of two microturbines fueled by waste gases at the town's wastewater treatment plant. The Power Authority’s energy services program is a key component of Gov. George E. Pataki’s efforts to encourage energy efficiency at state and local government buildings across the state.

WHITE PLAINS/ASTORIA: NYPA Sponsors Holiday Events—The Power Authority is again helping to sponsor band concerts and fireworks at two metropolitan New York locations to mark Independence Day. Both events will take place on July 3. Join Mayor Joseph Delfino at White Plains High School for a performance by Al Renino's White Plains Pop Band at 6 p.m. to begin the City of White Plains’ Independence Day celebration. In Astoria Park, the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition's annual Independence Day festivities, the 17th backed by the Power Authority, will kick off at 7 p.m. with a concert by Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band. Fireworks at both locations will commence about 9 p.m.

HERE AND THERE: Powerful Summer Vacation Tips—The Power Authority has three admission-free visitors centers, and each is shifting into high gear with exciting programs for summer 2001. Located in some of New York's most scenic areas, the centers are at the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project in Schoharie County, the Niagara Power Project near Niagara Falls and the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena. The recently renovated Blenheim-Gilboa and St. Lawrence-FDR visitors facilities feature state-of-the-art interactive exhibits on energy and the environment, and renovations are nearing completion at the Niagara center, the Power Vista, which is scheduled to reopen in early summer with more than 50 new exhibits. Check NYPA's website, at www.nypa.gov, for more information on each of the visitors centers and special events scheduled during the summer and year-round.

In the Community: More than 70 people attended a Father's Day event at NYPA's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center, and all fathers received Power Authority mugs, North Blenheim, June 17….Bob Hadler, community relations manager for Northern New York, spoke about the relicensing of NYPA's St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, at the Canton Kiwanis Club, June 13….More than 135 vehicles, from classic, antique and race cars to hot rods and police cruisers, attracted more than 2,200 people to the 7th annual Schoharie County DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) car show, at the Blenheim-Gilboa project's visitors center, June 10. The event raised more than $3,000 to support DARE's educational programs….NYPA staff members spoke to students at P.S. 141 in Queens on the Authority's proposed 500-megawatt combined-cycle power plant in Astoria, June 8….NYPA electric vehicles were on display at Conservation Field Days, at the State University at Cobleskill, June 7, and 2001 Environmental Field Days, Royalton Park, Middleport, June 6-7….Bart Chezar, manager of the Power Authority's electric transportation program, was honored as NYPA's Volunteer of the Year at a Friends of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program recognition luncheon for corporate volunteers, New York City, June 5. Chezar spends two weeks of his annual vacation building houses for needy families on the Caribbean Island of Dominica….Power Authority employees collected almost 500 new baseball-type caps for children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. In a program of the Utilities Division of the National Safety Council, the caps will go to the University of Chicago's Wylers Children's Hospital.