NEW YORK: NYPA Funds Rikers Island Powerhouse Upgrade—The Power Authority is helping the city's Department of Correction (DOC) save more than $1.85 million a year and improve air quality through the conversion of the powerhouse at the Rikers Island jail complex to burn clean natural gas, with No. 2 oil as a backup fuel. Under its Energy Cost Reduction (ENCORE) program, NYPA financed construction of the $15.3 million project and will recoup its investment from DOC energy savings over 10 years. KeySpan Energy Management did the work, which included retrofitting boilers with low-nitrogen oxide burners and installing an underwater gas line. NYPA has financed and/or implemented energy-efficiency initiatives in a wide range of city agencies under the 1997 ENCORE agreement with the City of New York. Rikers Island, the DOC's main base of operations, contains 10 jails housing up to 17,000 inmates.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA to Help New Yorkers Keep Cool—The Power Authority has authorized the spending of $2 million to support the Keep Cool program, a statewide consumer-education and air-conditioner-purchasing initiative launched by Gov. George E. Pataki last year to boost energy efficiency. Keep Cool promotes the use of Energy Star®-labeled products and provides a cash incentive to consumers who replace their old air conditioners with higher-efficiency units. NYPA works with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Long Island Power Authority and the state Public Service Commission in coordinating the program. With Keep Cool, state residents can get a $75 rebate when they turn in their old air conditioner and purchase a new Energy Star model by Sept. 20, 2002. Last year, 42,000 units were recycled and over 100,000 new models purchased, saving about 10 megawatts, enough electricity to power approximately 10,000 homes. Call 1-877-NYSMART (1-877-697-6278) for more information.

NEW YORK: Auto Show Highlights Clean Commute Program—The NYPA/TH!NK Clean Commute Program, featuring Ford's new TH!NK city electric car, will be on display at the 2002 New York International Auto Show, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan March 28-April 7. Last October, NYPA teamed up with Ford, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and other governmental entities to unveil North America's largest electric-station-car demonstration project. More than 60 of the program's 100 TH!NK city cars have been leased to commuters who travel to work from one of seven MTA train stations in the New York metropolitan region. Ford plans to make the TH!NK city available to the general public this fall. More information on the Clean Commute program is available at www.nypa.gov/ev. For auto-show information, visit www.javitscenter.com.

BRONX: NYPA EVs to Be Featured at Alternative Fuels Summit— The Power Authority will put three different electric vehicles on display at a U.S. Department of Energy alternative fuels summit planned at Hostos Community College on April 11. The National Alternative Fuels Day & Environmental Summit will bring together government, business and community leaders working to promote the use of clean-fueled vehicles for improved air quality in the New York metropolitan area. For more than two years, the Power Authority has helped sponsor local forums in New York City's boroughs as part of its electric transportation program. As a co-sponsor of the Hostos College summit, NYPA will present an exhibit featuring electric vehicles now in use on city streets, including an electric school bus, a two-ton electric postal truck and an electric RAV-4 vehicle on loan to the college. For more information on the summit, visit www.ccities.doe.gov.

NIAGARA FALLS: Niagara Project Employee Heads IDA—Shirley Hamilton, journeyman operator at the Power Authority's Niagara Power Project, has been appointed by the Niagara County legislature to serve as chairperson of the county's Industrial Development Agency (NCIDA). Hamilton, a Niagara Falls resident who is a 23-year NYPA employee, is a union steward for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2104 and co-chair of the Niagara County Commission on the Status of Women Leadership Committee. The NCIDA, a not-for-profit public benefit corporation, provides a variety of financing, real-estate, tax-incentive and job-training programs to attract and develop commerce and industry in Niagara County.

NORTH BLENHEIM: New Boating, Fishing Rules at B-G Project— In the wake of new security measures at all Power Authority facilities, new rules are in effect regarding recreational use of the upper and lower reservoirs at the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project. No boating is permitted on the upper reservoir, which will be open only for shoreline fishing from dawn to dusk through September. Recreational boating is also prohibited in the lower reservoir, and the boat launch at Mine Kill State Park is closed. Use of the lower reservoir for shoreline fishing will be permitted from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Memorial Day. The closing times will be 6 p.m. from Memorial Day until June 20, 9 p.m. from June 21 until Labor Day and 8 p.m. for the rest of September. For more information, call 1-800-724-0309.

In the Community: Steve Ramsey, senior community relations representative, was scheduled to present an overview of the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project to the Cobleskill Exchange Club on March 26 and to the Middleburgh Rotary Club on March 28.…Bob Hadler, community relations manager, spoke to the Massena Monday Luncheon Club on Becoming Energy Wise, March 25.…A Power Authority exhibit was on display at the Vacationing in Your Backyard event, Walden Galleria Mall, Buffalo, and at the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce's Family Expo 2002, Crossgates Mall, both March 23-24….The Niagara Power Project's visitors center, Lewiston, played host to the American Cancer Society's recognition breakfast meeting honoring the society's volunteers at last year's Race to Life Relay, March 21. That evening, the visitors center also hosted a dinner and tour of the center for the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the Vibration Institute, March 21.…Cathy Blood, senior community relations representative, was a judge at a science fair held at St. Peter's elementary school, Lewiston, March 21….Donna Robinson, a senior employee relations specialist, was honored as the Power Authority's Black Achiever of the Year at a dinner sponsored by the Harlem YMCA, New York Sheraton, Manhattan, March 21....The Power Authority-co-sponsored a hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres Alumni and the Damn Yankees, a local adult team, at the Niagara University ice rink to raise funds for youth hockey, Lewiston, March 21. The Power Authority exhibited an electric vehicle before the game.