| NYPA
Home Page |
| Week of May 9, 2004 |
|
|
SYRACUSE: MEUA, NYPA to Stress Conservation, Development— A Power
Authority official has noted that NYPA and the state's municipal electric
systems and rural cooperatives are examining ways to cooperatively encourage
cost-effective energy-efficiency and economic development. Last year's
agreement on a long-term extension of sales of the Authority's low-cost
hydropower to the 51 local systems was a significant step, but "it remains
important to demonstrate that the systems and NYPA are good stewards of this
valuable public asset," Joe Carline, assistant general counsel, told
representatives of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association (MEUA) on
April 21. At a time when the market price of electricity is heading higher,
NYPA hydropower rates are "strikingly low," Carline said, "low enough to
make the munis 'oases' for low-cost power for business." He cited joint
efforts to increase awareness of business opportunities in the public
systems and said the MEUA has also committed to work closely with NYPA to
carry out expanded energy-efficiency and conservation programs. DELHI: Low-Cost Power to Help Manufacturer Create 25 Jobs—A local manufacturer will expand its facilities and payroll with the help of 400 kilowatts (kw) of low-cost NYPA power from a block reserved for economic development in the service territories of the state's 51 municipal electric systems and rural cooperatives. The allocation, approved on April 27 by NYPA trustees, will help Sportsfield Specialties, Inc., relocate to a larger building here for a new manufacturing operation. Sportsfield, which plans to produce sports construction equipment such as football goal posts, long-jump pits and foul poles, will add 25 new jobs over the next year. The electricity, to be delivered through the Delaware County Electric Cooperative, comes from a 108,000-kw block intended to spur the growth of businesses and jobs in the public systems, which draw all or part of their electricity from the Power Authority. Half of the power is from NYPA's Niagara Power Project and half from other sources arranged by NYPA. NEW YORK: Manhattan to Serve as Tour de Sol Finish Line—It's become a regular rite of spring: Dozens of alternative-fueled vehicles compete in road rallies throughout the Northeast while demonstrating the benefits of clean transportation to thousands of onlookers. Once again, the Power Authority is joining automotive manufacturers, environmental organizations and state and federal agencies in supporting the Tour de Sol: The Great American Green Transportation Festival. This year's event will begin in Burlington City, N.J., on Saturday, May 22, and conclude in New York City on Tuesday, May 25. Organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (www.nesea.org), the Tour de Sol has expanded over the past 16 years to include street festivals, featuring children's activities, musical entertainment, environmental displays and food vendors, at various stops along its route. NYPA will display an electric-powered school bus and electric postal and utility vehicles at the finish line at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.TourdeSol.org. LEWISTON: Clean-Fueled Vehicles Added to Niagara Fleet—In line with Gov. George Pataki's executive order requiring the use of clean-fueled vehicles in state fleets, the Power Authority's efforts to switch to clean transportation alternatives at its facilities around the state are moving into high gear at the Niagara Power Project. Workers there are installing a fueling station to dispense compressed natural gas (CNG). The Niagara project uses two Honda Civics that run on CNG and currently refuel offsite. When Niagara's CNG station is completed by the end of this month, two more Civics fueled by CNG are expected to arrive from NYPA's White Plains office. The Power Authority plans to expand its clean-fueled fleets—adding more electric-powered and hybrid-electric vehicles—in the coming years to comply with state and federal mandates. Since 1994, NYPA has been a leader in promoting the development and use of clean transportation technologies, especially electric-drive vehicles (EDVs). Besides the CNG cars, eight EDVs are in use at the Niagara project. BROOKLYN: NYPA Electric Vehicle to Benefit Red Hook Project— Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham, representing Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Power Authority President Eugene Zeltmann presented a Ford TH!NK neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) to David Rivel, executive director of the City Parks Foundation (CPF), here on May 4. Rivel accepted the vehicle on behalf of CPF and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, which will use the NEV as part of the Catalyst for Neighborhood Parks initiative, a $25 millon, public-private partnership to improve 16 city parks. The evironmentally friendly, rechargeable vehicle will be placed in service in the Red Hook Park and Recreation Area and in Coffey Park. Building on $116 million in Power Authority energy-efficiency projects in Brooklyn, the TH!NK presentation was part of NYPA’s statewide Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Donation program. Under Governor Pataki’s leadership, NYPA has become a national leader in promoting clean electric transportation, helping to put more than 700 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles on New York State roads. HERE AND THERE: NYPA to Help New Yorkers Stay Cool!—The Power Authority is continuing its support of state programs to increase public awareness of the need for energy conservation, particularly during the summer, when electricity use is greatest. Since 2001, NYPA has joined with the state's Energy Research and Development Authority and the Long Island Power Authority to encourage New Yorkers to turn in their old air conditioners and buy new, efficient ENERGY STAR® models. The campaign has led to the replacement of more than 200,000 older air conditioners, increasing the market share of ENERGY STAR air conditioners to about 70 percent and reducing peak electricity demand by 83,000 kilowatts statewide. NYPA trustees on April 27 approved $750,000 for this year's Stay Cool! program, aimed at increasing public awareness of energy-efficient products and energy conservation programs coordinated through New York Energy $mart. In the Community: The Niagara Power Project's visitors center was scheduled to celebrate Mother's Day with a Memories with Mom event, with plants to be provided to the first 200 moms, Lewiston, May 8….A NYPA Toyota RAV-4 electric vehicle driven by Ed Birdie, public and government affairs representative, set the pace in the 26th annual Hall of Fame 10K run and two-mile fitness walk in the Bronx, May 1. More than 150 runners and walkers participated….The Power Authority gave presentations on the Basics of Electricity to students at Mooers Elementary School, May 3; and the Ledgeview Elementary School, Clarence, April 30. Careers in the electric utility industry was the subject of NYPA presentations at the Hoosac School, Hoosick Falls, April 29, and the Jefferson Central School, April 28….Maryann Falls, manager, speakers bureau and employee communications, spoke at the Woodside Senior Center, on Electrical Safety in the Home, Queens, April 29….NYPA co-sponsored the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation's annual business-to-business educational and networking event, April 27….NYPA sponsored a procurement workshop and luncheon at the Somos El Futuro conference, organized by the Caucus of New York State Hispanic and Puerto Rican Legislators, Albany, April 25….Joanne Willmott, community relations manager for Western New York, spoke at the Niagara-Orleans Central Labor Council Memorial event, honoring workers who were killed on the job in Niagara and Orleans counties, Lewiston, April 24. |