NEW YORK: NYISO Sees Urgent Need for New Power Plants—The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has urged immediate approval of 3,000 megawatts (mw) of new generating capacity in the state to avoid serious electricity shortages, avert strong upward pressure on prices, improve air quality and facilitate economic growth. In an updated report, issued on March 27, the NYISO said that of the 7,100 mw of new capacity the state needs by 2005, 2,000-3,000 mw must be located in New York City, where transmission limitations prevent energy needs from being satisfied solely by electricity produced in other areas. The NYISO, which runs the state's transmission system and wholesale electricity market, reduced its call for new generation by 17 percent in its latest report to reflect reduced electricity use as a result of the economic downturn over the past year. The report said the loss of the World Trade Center created a total net reduction of 90 mw in energy demand, one-fifth of the amount estimated in some early published reports.

HARTSDALE/LITTLE NECK: NYPA Staffers Win EPRI Awards—For their role in the development of HydroTrac™, a pioneering device for monitoring hydroelectric generator performance, two NYPA engineers have been awarded a 2001 Technology Transfer Award from EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute). The device is now being installed at hydroelectric projects operated by NYPA and facilities of other utilities in the United States and around the world. Shalom Zelingher of Hartsdale and Misak Krikorian of Little Neck, director and senior engineer, respectively, of NYPA's Research and Technology Development unit, led a NYPA/EPRI/Iris Power Engineering team in developing digital technology for an online system to determine the rate of stator insulation degradation, a key factor in about 40 percent of all hydrogenerator outages. Such early warning—while the generator is operating rather than during periodic shutdowns—will allow convenient scheduling of repairs with minimal outages and reduced costs.

TARRYTOWN: Westchester CC Cites NYPA Philanthropy—
NYPA President Gene Zeltmann accepted an award for corporate philanthropy on behalf of the Power Authority at the Westchester Community College Foundation's medallion awards dinner here on April 9. "The award is particularly gratifying since it reflects our role in the county and with respect to the college itself," said Zeltmann, who serves on the foundation's board of directors. NYPA Trustee Frank McCullough, a former chairman of the foundation's board, is also a current board member. Another Power Authority trustee, Tim Carey, is the chairman of the college's board of trustees. NYPA supplies low-cost electricity and energy-efficiency services to Westchester Community College and other public entities throughout the county, saving taxpayers millions of dollars each year. The Power Authority provided the kickoff gift for the college's Library Campaign and assisted with its New Immigrant project, which facilitates the entry of immigrants into the work force.

MARCY: Students to Compete in NYPA-Sponsored Envirothon—Teams of Oneida County high school students are set to demonstrate their environmental knowledge and ingenuity at a Power Authority-co-sponsored envirothon on April 24 at NYPA's Clark Energy Center here. Envirothons, daylong hands-on competitions that test students’ problem-solving abilities in the areas of forestry, aquatics, soils, wildlife and current environmental issues, are also scheduled on May 2 at NYPA's Niagara Power Project visitors center, Lewiston, for teams from Western New York and on May 9 at its Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center, North Blenheim, for Capitol District students. The Power Authority is also co-sponsoring the North Adirondack Regional Envirothon at Paul Smith’s College on May 7. The regional winners will compete in the state envirothon, at the State University of New York at Cobleskill, May 29-30.

STATEN ISLAND: NYPA Co-sponsors Conference on Economy—Gov. George E. Pataki, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro are scheduled to speak at the Power Authority-co-sponsored 2002 Staten Island Economic Development Conference, to be held April 23-24 at the Hilton Garden Inn. The admission-free event will feature nearly 50 industrial, commercial and not-for profit exhibitors and participants; breakout seminars on business topics, including landfill development, Web commerce and recycling; a job fair; and networking opportunities for small businesses. A Power Authority exhibit and a Ford TH!NK city electric car, centerpiece of the NYPA/TH!NK Clean Commute Program, will be on view at the conference.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Annual Report Recaps Eventful Year—The Power Authority's 2001 Annual Report, now available, highlights NYPA's varied initiatives to ensure the reliability of the power supply, spur economic development and job growth, and advance energy efficiency and clean new technologies. The Authority's efforts to avert power shortages in the summer of 2001 through the installation of 11 small, clean gas-turbine generators in the downstate region are prominently featured, along with the role of the new units in helping to keep the lights on during August's record heat wave and in the wake of the September attacks on the World Trade Center. The report also spotlights the use of the Power Authority's low-cost electricity to protect nearly 420,000 jobs at businesses and non-profit organizations across the state. Other highlights include NYPA's filing of an application for a new federal license for its St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, the completion of the first phase of the world's most advanced transmission control device and the launch of the nation's largest electric-station-car demonstration project. To obtain a copy of the report, call (914) 390-8177 or send an e-mail to kirby.l@nypa.gov

In the Community: The visitors center at the Niagara Power Project was slated to play host to the annual awards banquet of the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs, Lewiston, April 13. Lori Presti, senior tour guide at the project and secretary of the federation, was to present the awards to club members….The Power Authority was scheduled to exhibit an electric vehicle at Albany's Empire State Plaza as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's nationwide Alternative Fuels Day, April 11….Christopher Copeland, account executive, spoke to students and displayed a NYPA electric vehicle at the Post Road elementary school's science fair, White Plains, April 9….A Street-Smart Women's Safety Seminar at the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center attracted 40 project employees and guests, including members of the Middleburgh Century Women's and Middleburgh Cooperative clubs, North Blenheim, April 4. Dennis Richards, the project's safety and fire protection administrator, moderated the session, which provided safety tips for women at work, at home and in their automobiles.…The staff of the Blenheim-Gilboa project's visitors center conducted a Career Day presentation for students at Walton Central School, March 27….Cathy Blood, senior community relations representative at the Niagara project, has been elected to the executive board of the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau.