BRONX: EPA Cites NYPA Truck-Stop Electrification Program—The nation's first anti-idling truck-stop electrification program, featuring NYPA-installed overhead climate-control systems for trucks parked at the Hunts Point Cooperative Market here, has earned a 2001 Clean Air Excellence Award from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The award recognizes innovative efforts toward achieving cleaner air. Later this year, the Power Authority will install electrification devices at 28 parking bays, allowing drivers at the world's largest wholesale food distribution center—a NYPA electricity customer—to power their cabs and refrigerated trailers without running their engines. The program is expected to eliminate more than 2,000 tons of pollutants from the Bronx air and save thousands of gallons of diesel fuel a year, with trucking companies benefiting from lower fuel and maintenance costs. The EPA's awards presentation is scheduled for March 5 in Washington, D. C.

MORRISVILLE: CHP Systems Slated for State College— The Power Authority is completing the design and planning to start construction later this year of three combined heat-and-power (CHP) systems that will save the State University of New York (SUNY) at Morrisville almost $425,000 annually. The $7.4 million project is scheduled for completion in 2003. The reciprocating natural-gas engines will improve power reliability at the College of Agriculture and Technology and serve as laboratories to demonstrate the efficiency of on-site, or distributed, generation. The CHP systems will capture heat generated when electricity is made and use it to supply heat and hot water for campus buildings. NYPA will provide financing, design and installation services, including engineering, procurement and project management, and recover its costs by sharing in utility bill savings. Some 19 SUNY campuses across the state together save $10 million annually through NYPA energy-efficiency projects.

NEW YORK: Efficiency Program Encores at NYPD Stations—When the Power Authority and the City of New York signed a 1997 agreement to have NYPA make energy-efficiency improvements at city agencies, the Energy Cost Reduction program became better known by its acronym—ENCORE—and that label has proved to be prophetic. Based on work initiated last year by the Authority at six New York City Police Department precinct houses, the department has asked for similar upgrades at 18 additional stations. The $2.5 million program is projected to save close to $300,000 on the NYPD's annual energy bill. The improvements, set for completion in December, include high-efficiency lighting; chiller upgrades, to provide cool water for air conditioning; and new double-pane, thermal barrier windows. Power Authority representatives are working with the department to identify additional energy-saving opportunities at the more than 100 NYPD buildings in the five boroughs.

WATERTOWN: NYPA Completes Renovations at City Facilities— The Power Authority has completed a $637,436 project to improve lighting, heating and other utility uses in City Hall and other municipal facilities here, with savings to taxpayers estimated at $24,000 a year. NYPA supplied the material for lighting upgrades at the municipal building, the Flower Memorial Library, the department of public works and the main fire station, and city crews did the actual installation. The city also installed new motors supplied by the Power Authority in the municipal building, the library and the water-pollution-control plant. Seven boilers, manufactured by Fulton Boilers in nearby Pulaski, were installed in the municipal building and the library. Financing for the project included more than $460,000 from the Power Authority and a $150,000 grant from the Petroleum Overcharge Restitution Fund, obtained through the efforts of state Sen. Jim Wright and Assemblyman Bob Nortz. The Power Authority will recoup its investment by sharing in the city's bill savings.

PLATTSBURGH: NYPA Allocation Tied to Business Expansion—Gov. George E. Pataki announced on Feb. 27 that a family-owned corrugated-products business here has added a 57,000-square-foot building and plans to quadruple its work force, thanks to an allocation of low-cost NYPA power to the City of Plattsburgh. Power Authority trustees approved the allocation on Feb. 26. Lakeside Container Corp. will obtain the power through the Plattsburgh Municipal Lighting Department under a NYPA economic development program for the state's 51 municipal electric systems and rural electric cooperatives. Over the next three years, Lakeside Container’s $5.3 million expansion will add 33 new jobs to the firm’s current work force of nine. The Power Authority's Niagara Power Project near Niagara Falls will produce half of the electricity for the 500-kilowatt allocation; the remainder of the power will come from other sources arranged by NYPA.

WHITE PLAINS: Energy Upgrade Set for NYPA's HQ Building—The Power Authority has embarked on a $3.5 million energy-reduction program under, within and atop its headquarters building here. The project was intended to set an example for compliance with Gov. George E. Pataki's 2001 Executive Order directing state agencies to cut their energy use by 35 percent by 2010. The Power Authority plans tours of the building for facility managers of other agencies. Savings of close to $300,000 are projected from replacement of the building's central chiller plant and selected heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment; installation of an automated energy management system, occupancy sensors and upgrades; and placement of a silver-tint film on windows to improve illumination and reduce air-conditioning needs. Work at the 17-story building, named for former NYPA Chairman Clarence D. Rappleyea, is scheduled for completion this year. The Power Authority saves taxpayers about $75 million a year through similar improvements completed at schools and other public facilities statewide.

In the Community: The NYPA co-sponsored All About Kids and Family event was scheduled at Empire State Plaza, Albany, March 2-3. Proceeds will benefit the Parsons Child and Family Center….Maryann Falls, manager, speakers bureau and employee communications, was scheduled to speak to members of Chapter 2108 of the AARP on Electrical Safety in the Home, Zerega Golden Age Community Center, Bronx, March 1….For demonstrating a renewed commitment to the United Way of Niagara, NYPA received the organization's Horizon Award at its annual meeting and awards luncheon, Days Inn, Niagara Falls, Feb. 26….Cathy Blood, senior community relations representative, was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors' Bureau.