'Green' Magic Word for Hudson River Park

Contact
Michael Saltzman
914-390-8181
michael.saltzman@nypa.gov

June 23, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK–Bikers and pedestrians who enjoy the Hudson River greenway from the Battery to 59th Street will soon see some unusual vehicles tooling along the pathways thanks to an innovative demonstration program sponsored by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for cleaner air.

“The ‘Green Zones’ program will improve air quality by substituting environmentally cleaner electric-drive vehicles and electric-outdoor power equipment for conventional vehicles and equipment,” said Eugene W. Zeltmann, NYPA president and chief executive officer. “We’re looking forward to working with the Hudson River Park Trust and the other program participants as we forge ahead in our statewide efforts to introduce clean, emerging technologies that also reduce foreign oil dependence.”

Hudson River Park Trust will receive six Toro Electric workman vehicles (an off-road utility vehicle) and one hybrid vehicle.

“The use of zero- and low-emission vehicles makes great sense for the beautiful stretch of parkland and piers making up Hudson River Park,” said Charles E. Dorkey III, chairman of the Hudson River Park Trust. “The new vehicles will replace ones we’re currently using and demonstrate the benefits of electric-drive technologies as a clean alternative to the internal-combustion engine. Our thanks to the Power Authority for including us in the program.”

Under the multiyear Green Zones program, the Power Authority will co-fund the purchases of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and outdoor equipment to replace standard vehicles and equipment at areas such as parks and college campuses. It has budgeted for 2005 more than $200,000 for subsidizing the purchases.

As examples of its funding, NYPA will pay the higher incremental cost, up to $4,000, for hybrid-electric vehicles, and half the cost of off-road electric vehicles and electric power equipment like lawn mowers. (Gasoline-powered lawn equipment is a potent—and often unregulated—source of pollution.) The Power Authority will also cover the cost of electric-vehicle charging stations.

The other initial participants in Green Zones are Queens College, Bronx Community College, the White Plains Recreation and Parks Department, the Utica Department of Parks and Recreation, Bethpage State Park, and Niagara Reservation State Park.

In the last decade, the Power Authority has helped put a total of 750 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles in service, for its own fleet and those of its electricity customers and other entities. Collectively, the vehicles, which range from three-wheel parking enforcement vehicles to full-size transit buses, have traveled more than four million miles.

Gov. George E. Pataki has directed that half of all non-emergency, light-duty vehicles acquired by state agencies and other affected entities be alternative-fueled by 2005. His Executive Order increases the amount to 100 percent by 2010.