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| Week of Feb. 15, 2004 |
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NEW YORK: Hudson River Park Targeted for NYPA Power—An allocation of
economical power approved by Power Authority trustees in January and
forwarded to Gov. George Pataki for his expected approval would aid the
development of one of New York City's most ambitious park projects. Hudson
River Park Trust, a state-city partnership created through legislation
signed by Governor Pataki in 1998, will save between 20 and 25 percent on
its annual electric costs by using NYPA electricity. The public benefit
corporation is developing Hudson River Park in stages; the park will
ultimately encompass 550 acres, stretching five miles along Manhattan's West
Side shoreline from Battery Park to West 59th Street. The first section of
the park to be developed, near Greenwich Village, opened last spring. The
northernmost section is now under construction and scheduled for completion
in early 2005. Details about the park project can be found at:
www.hudsonriverpark.org BROCKPORT: SUNY Campus to Save With Energy Upgrades— Some $3.3 million in energy-efficiency improvements planned by NYPA at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Brockport will range from consolidation of computerized energy management systems to installation of photosensors to turn off lights when they're not needed. The work at the 435-acre Western New York campus is estimated to create annual savings of $270,000. The NYPA projects feature the replacement of four energy management systems, each requiring separate parts inventories and service contracts, with a single system. Other improvements call for interconnecting the heating systems of selected buildings and reusing their exhaust heat, and retrofitting light-emitting-diode fixtures in more than 800 exit signs. The work is scheduled to start in March and be completed early in 2005. NYPA has provided similar energy-efficiency upgrades at 21 other SUNY campuses, saving them more than $10 million a year. TORONTO: NYPA Chief Calls for Strong Reliability Standards—The blackout of August 2003 was due "to a combination of human error, computer and communication problems, and, most important, the absence of mandatory and enforceable reliability standards," NYPA chairman Louis Ciminelli said at a meeting of business and government leaders here on Jan. 29. In an address to the Conference Board of Canada, he said the rising flow of electricity between regions has created new reliability challenges that should have been anticipated. Enforcing mandatory standards is "an imposing task," but "one for which we are already well positioned," Ciminelli said. He cited cooperative efforts with the North American Electric Reliability Council, created following the 1965 blackout, in establishing performance standards in operations, maintenance, planning and general policy. “But the problem is that these standards are voluntary,” Ciminelli asserted. “That's not good enough.” ALBANY: Governor Names Michael Townsend as NYPA Trustee— Gov. George Pataki announced on Feb. 10 the appointment of Michael Townsend of Fairport as a Power Authority trustee. Townsend, who was confirmed by the state Senate, replaces Gerard DiMarco on the five-member board. His term runs until May 6, 2006. He has been a principal attorney at the firm of Gates & Adams PC in Rochester since 1995. Townsend is a director with the Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp.; counsel to the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency, the Greater Rochester Outdoor Sports Facility and the Monroe County Empire Zone; director of the New York State Mortgage Bond Bank Agency; in-house counsel to the Regional Transit Authority and deputy counsel to the Rochester Sports Authority. He is a member of the New York State and Monroe County bar associations. HERE AND THERE: Surplus Computer Program Maintains Pace— Keeping up the momentum that has seen nearly 200 surplus Power Authority computers presented to New York State elementary, middle and high schools since 2002, NYPA has designated three more Western and Central New York school systems to receive the refurbished units. Already this year, the Lewiston-Porter Central and Niagara Wheatfield schools in Niagara County have received 10 computers apiece. Also receiving 10 computers each were the Remsen Elementary and Middle School and the North Utica Senior Center's After School Program, both in Oneida County, and the Jefferson and Middleburgh central schools in Schoharie County. The units are late-model desktop computers with a minimum of 64 gigabytes of memory. NYPA replaces 400 to 500 of its 1,700 computers each year. NIAGARA FALLS: NYPA Honored for Community Service— The Power Authority received the Pine Avenue Business Association's Community Service Award at the association's annual dinner Feb. 7. Randy Crissman, NYPA's regional manager for Western New York, accepted the award, which recognized the Power Authority and its Niagara Power Project for providing low-cost power to businesses and residents throughout the region, as well as for NYPA's support for the community and tourism. NYPA's economical electricity supports about 60,000 jobs at more than 200 Western New York companies. The association represents some 200 area businesses. In the Community: Ed Birdie, public and governmental affairs representative, spoke to the Metro New York Rotary Club on the Power Authority's energy-services programs in New York City, Feb. 1....An exhibit on the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project's visitors center was on display at the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Showcase, Empire State Plaza, Albany, Feb. 10….More than 400 people attended the He'arts, Energy and More! event, commemorating Valentine's Day, at the Niagara Power Project's visitors center, Lewiston, Feb. 7….Lorna Constable, associate information specialist, was among those honored at the fourth annual Governor's Tribute to African-American Leaders in State Service, Albany, Feb. 3….The Power Authority gave Basics of Electricity presentations at the Madrid-Waddington School, Feb. 10; and Staten Island's I.S. 61, Feb. 4, and P.S. 57, Jan. 30….Peter Barden, senior vice president, public and governmental affairs, discussed NYPA's energy-efficiency programs in New York City at the Staten Island Economic Development Conference's Green Building Technology Forum, Jan. 30….A blood drive at NYPA's White Plains office produced 50 pints of blood for the Hudson Valley Blood Center for use at area hospitals, Jan. 29. |