NEW YORK: New Refrigerators Boost NYCHA Energy Savings—With approximately 121,000 energy-efficient refrigerators installed by NYPA at public housing citywide, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and taxpayers are reaping rewards from lower energy bills and cleaner air. Two-thirds of the way through the multiyear program to replace 180,000 old energy-wasting refrigerators, the Power Authority program saves NYCHA about $5 million a year in energy costs while avoiding annual emissions of 51,000 tons of greenhouse gases. With energy savings of about 60 percent, new superefficient refrigerators installed since last year save even more money and electricity than previous models, up from more than 50 percent when the program began in 1996. When completed by the end of 2003, the program will save 103 million kilowatt-hours annually, lowering NYCHA's energy bills by about $7 million a year. The Power Authority finances the purchase and installation of the refrigerators and recovers its costs by sharing in NYCHA's savings.

ALBANY: Power Legislation Aids World Trade Center Businesses—Gov. George E Pataki has signed legislation directing the Power Authority to provide up to 80 megawatts (mw) of low-cost electricity to downtown Manhattan businesses displaced by the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center. Companies relocating to two downtown areas, known as the Liberty Zone and the Resurgence Zone, are eligible for the power, which had previously been sold to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for use at the World Trade Center. The Liberty Zone is considered the area south of Canal Street; the Resurgence Zone is between Houston and Canal streets. When he first announced his plans to make the power available, the Governor said it "will play a key role in helping these businesses get back on their feet while also keeping these important jobs right here in New York." Under the legislation, priority will be given to the former tenants of the World Trade Center, which includes three other buildings besides the twin towers. The economical power is expected to save businesses more than $6 million a year in their electricity costs.

SCHENECTADY: NYPA President Cites Need for More Power—The electricity industry's biggest single requirement as it moves into the new age of deregulation is to make sure that there is enough electricity to meet society's needs and to sustain and drive economic growth, NYPA President Eugene Zeltmann said in a Nov. 7 speech here. Speaking at the First Reformed Church, he said the state's electric system was almost pushed to the limit during August's heat wave, when record power demand of close to 31,000 megawatts (mw) came within about 6 percent of the available generation. Noting that the New York Independent System Operator has called for the addition of 8,600 mw of new capacity by 2005, Zeltmann said about 20 proposed new or expanded power plants are in various phases of the regulatory process in the state. He said construction of some of the new plants could be speeded by legislation signed by Gov. George E. Pataki to cut the review period from a year to six months for projects that reduce pollution from older power sources by at least 75 percent. Zeltmann also called for strengthening of the state's transmission system and noted that at its Marcy Substation, NYPA is installing the world's most advanced transmission-control device, which will permit more power to flow over existing lines.

YONKERS: Local Resident Named Woman Achiever of the Year—Sobeida Cruz, a Yonkers resident who is the Power Authority's community relations manager for Southeastern New York, has been selected as NYPA's Woman Achiever of the Year for 2001. She was one of some 80 women honored by their employers at the annual Salute to Women Achievers Luncheon, sponsored by the Academy of Women Achievers of the YWCA of the City of New York, at the New York Marriott Marquis in Manhattan on Nov. 14. Cruz was recognized for her efforts in winning community support for 10 small, clean gas-turbine generators that NYPA installed throughout New York City to help ensure the reliability of the city's power supply last summer. Since joining the Power Authority staff in 1984, she has been instrumental in promoting many of NYPA's major downstate projects, including its widely recognized electric vehicle program. Cruz received the 2001 Headliner Award from the Westchester Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications in June. Also this year, she was named Business Woman of the Year by the Westchester County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and City of White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino proclaimed Aug. 2 as Sobeida Cruz Day.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Honored by Minority Purchasing Group—The New York/New Jersey Minority Purchasing Council named the Power Authority as recipient of its Chairpersons of the Year Award for 2001 at its Partnerships Awards Gala on Nov. 16 at the Sheraton New York Hotel. "An award of this nature reflects positively on the dedication of the Power Authority's procurement staff in creating business opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms," said NYPA Chairman Joseph Seymour. "I'm gratified that the efforts we make, under the direction of Governor Pataki, insure opportunities for minority businesses to thrive and grow." The award was presented to Debra White, the administrator of the supplier diversity program, and John Hoff, the Power Authority's vice president of procurement and real estate. Last year, the same organization presented White with its Advocate of the Year and Westchester Section of the Year—Chairperson awards. The Power Authority awarded more than $16 million worth of procurement contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses last year.

In the Community: Maryann Falls, manager, speakers bureau and employee communications, gave a presentation on Electrical Safety in the Home, to the City Island chapter of the AARP, Trinity United Methodist Church, Bronx, Nov. 21….Scott Brown, a power trader, spoke to the Seaford Lions Club about NYPA on Long Island, Dick & Dora's Restaurant, Massapequa, Nov. 20….Steve Ramsey, senior community relations representative, presented an overview of the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project to the Schoharie Valley Association's board of directors, Tory Tavern, Schoharie, Nov. 19….Sobeida Cruz, community relations manager, spoke to the Fridays Retired Men's Club of the Jewish Community Center on Energy Services that Benefit Westchester, Scarsdale, Nov. 2….The Power Authority presented an electric vehicle and an information booth at the LaSalle Middle School Science and Technology Fair, Niagara Falls, Nov. 2, and at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership Business Expo, Buffalo, Nov. 1….The Niagara Power Project visitors center played host to a meeting of AFL-CIO representatives from Western New York, Lewiston, Nov. 1.