NYPA Clean-Commute Partners Win Westchester Planning Award

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July 2, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHITE PLAINS—The Town of New Castle and the City of White Plains have reaped top environmental honors as participants in the New York Power Authority (NYPA)/Th!nk Clean Commute program, an ongoing demonstration of electric station cars. 

Both municipalities were recipients of the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation’s (WMPF) Achievement Award for Environmental Conservation at ceremonies held June 6 at Crystal Bay, in the City of Peekskill.

Launched in October, the NYPA/Th!nk Clean Commute program offers train commuters the opportunity to lease 100 Ford Th!nkcity electric vehicles (EVs)—a two-seater with a driving range of about 50 miles and a top speed of approximately 55 miles per hour.

The Chappaqua Station in New Castle and the White Plains Station are the two locations in Westchester County where commuters are participating in the program, in which special parking is provided for the EVs, along with charging stations.  Altogether, there are seven regional municipalities in the NYPA/Ford demonstration of the zero-emission Th!nkcity vehicle.

“We applaud our partners in New Castle and White Plains, who’ve been eager participants in our efforts to fulfill Governor George E. Pataki’s commitment to air quality improvements,” said NYPA President Eugene W. Zeltmann.

“New Castle has been an enthusiastic partner in this pilot program because it benefits the environment by reducing air pollution, has increased the number of cars we can fit into a limited station parking area and demonstrates the efficient use of energy.  The WMPF award recognizes that this innovative project can have extensive additional beneficial impacts.  We look forward to being able to expand it in the future,” said Marion S. Sinek, Town of New Castle Supervisor.

“This magnificent program serves as another example of government agencies working together to pool resources and talents to improve the quality of life for city residents,” said White Plains Mayor Joseph M. Delfino.  “I applaud this new partnership between NYPA and the City of White Plains.”

“As planners, we appreciate the dual benefits this demonstration produces, such as lowering harmful emissions and increased parking lot efficiency, “said WMPF Executive Director Kay Eisenman. 

The Westchester Municipal Planning Federation is a volunteer association of officials from the county’s 45 municipal governments.  The federation conducts a series of training programs for municipal planning and zoning board members.

NYPA supplies about a quarter of the power needs of New York State, including Westchester County and its municipal governments.