GUILDERLAND: Power Use Forecast to Stay Near 2001 Levels—Despite a significant cooling of the national and regional economy and the impact of the World Trade Center disaster, New York State's peak summer electric demand should drop only slightly to 30,910 megawatts (mw) from last year's record 30,983 mw, according to a Jan. 31 forecast by the New York Independent System Operator (ISO). New York City's electric demand was predicted to remain at about last year's level, as marginal economic growth was expected to offset the loss of the 80 mw of demand at the collapsed twin towers, which used electricity supplied by NYPA. A Feb. 10 news story in The New York Times said, “The even keel for electricity supply that has been predicted for New York City this summer is made possible ... [by] the New York Power Authority, which built 10 house-size power plants around the city last year, providing 400 extra megawatts of power, which is expected to be crucial come July and August.”

BUFFALO: Information Sessions Focus on Replacement Power—Public meetings were scheduled here on Feb. 14 and in Niagara Falls on Feb. 15 for potential customers and others interested in obtaining information about low-cost industrial electricity from the Power Authority. The meetings were part of a major effort initiated by Gov. George E. Pataki to use the power to attract more jobs to Western New York. The Power Authority has 17,000 kilowatts of replacement power from its Niagara Power Project available for allocation to manufacturing companies in the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.'s service territory within 30 miles of the project. Applications for power will be accepted until March 25 and can be obtained from the Power Authority and Niagara Mohawk. NYPA trustees will review the applications and make decisions on allocations, based on criteria that include the number of new jobs created, proposed capital investment and potential long-term positive impacts on Western New York's economy.

BROOKLYN: NYPA Power Helps Company Create 100 Jobs—Gov. George E. Pataki announced on Feb. 7 that an allocation of economical electricity from the Power Authority has encouraged the Ultra-Flex Packaging Corporation to stay and expand its operations in Brooklyn rather than relocate to Connecticut. In return for the 850-kilowatt allocation, provided through the New York City Public Utility Service, the company has committed to adding 100 new jobs in Brooklyn, increasing its work force to about 400. Ultra-Flex, already one of Brooklyn's largest employers, makes plastic packaging for well-known apparel brands such as Hanes and Ralph Lauren. NYPA electricity is expected to save Ultra-Flex about $130,000 a year over a 10-year contract period, making it possible for the company to move forward with a new $3 million expansion project. Rep. Ed Towns applauded Governor Pataki and Ultra-Flex President Eli Blatt "for finding a way to keep this outstanding business in New York." The allocation comes from a block of economic development power reserved for municipal utility service agencies in the New York City metropolitan area.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Helps Transit Agency Meet 'Green' Goals— The Power Authority is working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to implement Gov. George E. Pataki's Executive Order 111, calling on state agencies to reduce their energy consumption, boost purchases of renewable energy and increase the number of clean-fueled vehicles in their fleets. At a daylong presentation on Feb. 6 at NYPA's offices here, about 40 MTA staff members learned how the Power Authority's various energy-efficiency programs—everything from electric vehicles to high efficiency lighting—could help meet the state's goals. A highlight was a ride on a New York City Transit (NYCT) hybrid-electric bus, similar to a prototype funded by NYPA as part of its efforts to put more clean-fueled buses in the transit fleet. The bus took the participants to the Yonkers Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the Power Authority has installed a low-emission fuel cell and photovoltaic panels. The MTA group included representatives from NYCT, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

WASHINGTON, D.C: NYPA President Re-elected EVAA Co-chair— Gene Zeltmann, the Power Authority's president and chief operating officer, has been re-elected as the co-chairman of the board of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA). Zeltmann, whose term will expire at the end of this year, was initially elected to the board in 2001 to fill a slot created by the retirement of NYPA Chairman C.D. "Rapp" Rappleyea. The board is co-chaired by a utility and an auto-industry executive. This year's other co-chair is John R. Wallace, executive director of Ford's Th!nk Group. The Power Authority and Ford are partners in North America's largest electric station-car demonstration, the NYPA/TH!NK Clean Commute Program. EVAA is an international not-for-profit consortium of nearly 100 energy providers, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers, state and local governments and others interested in promoting the use of electric transportation technologies through education, advocacy and marketing.

MASSENA: NYPA Fireworks to Highlight Bicentennial Event— Power Authority-sponsored fireworks scheduled for Sunday, March 3, will help mark the 200th anniversary of the Town of Massena. A ceremony commemorating the community's official anniversary will be held at Massena Central High School, starting at 6:30 p.m. A 20-minute program of pyrotechnics, provided by Auburn Telstar Display Fireworks of Liverpool, N.Y., will light up the winter sky, starting at 7:30 p.m. (The rain/snow date for the fireworks is March 4.) The Town of Massena was officially founded on March 3, 1802. The Power Authority will also support other bicentennial festivities, planned for July 3-14.

NORTH BLENHEIM: World Travelogue Series Back at Center— The popular World Travelogue Series, which whisks viewers to fascinating locales near and far, will return to the Power Authority's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center here on consecutive Sunday afternoons in March. The slide shows will open on March 3 with a program on Turkey, a cradle of Western Civilization and an increasingly popular vacation spot. On March 10, the program will focus on a local scenic and historical destination, the Erie Canal. The series will continue on March 17 with a virtual boat trip down Germany's Rhine River and conclude on the 24th with a look at the flora and fauna encountered on a west African safari. All programs are free, begin at 2:30 p.m. and last about an hour, with light refreshments served afterwards. Reservations are required, as seating is limited. For more information on the travel series or other special events planned at the center, call (800) 724-0309.

In the Community: A Power Authority electric vehicle and information booth were scheduled to be displayed at the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, Albany, Feb. 15…Power Authority staff members presented Basics of Electricity demonstrations at Alexandria Bay Elementary School, Feb. 12, and St. Mark's School, Middleburgh, Feb. 7….Donna Robinson, a NYPA senior employee relations specialist, was among those honored by Gov. George E. Pataki at the Governor's Tribute to African-Americans in State Service, Empire State Plaza, Albany, Feb. 5.