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| Week of August 1, 2004 |
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MASSENA: NYPA Marks Issuance of New Project License— Power Authority
representatives joined with public officials and residents from throughout
the North Country July 27 to celebrate the beginning of NYPA's second half
century as the operator of the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power
Project here. "This is truly a red-letter day for the Power Authority and
for the North Country," said Power Authority Chairman Louis Ciminelli. "I'm
particularly delighted to see so many of the people who contributed so much
to the successful relicensing of the St. Lawrence-FDR project. It is a
credit to all who worked with us—local communities, state and federal
governments, environmental interests, business and labor. This is your
license, too." Dignitaries on hand for the festivities included Assemblyman
Chris Ortloff, Village of Massena Mayor Ken MacDonnell and Ron McDougall,
president of the Central Trades and Labor Council. The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission approved a new 50-year license for the St.
Lawrence-FDR project last October, following an innovative relicensing
process that emphasized cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders.
The project, which began operation in 1958, produces some of the nation's
least expensive electricity. WHITE PLAINS: 2004 Energy Services Projects Increase Savings— The Power Authority completed energy-efficiency improvements at 65 schools and other public facilities during the first six months of 2004, with annual savings projected at $2.3 million and 15,600 tons of greenhouse gases avoided. Recent projects have included the installation of high-efficiency lighting at public schools in New York City and Buffalo and at Nassau University Medical Center, double-insulated windows at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's New York City headquarters and a new boiler at a New York Police Department precinct house. Since the early 1990s, the Power Authority has completed similar energy upgrades at more than 2,200 facilities across New York State, saving taxpayers more than $88 million a year and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 650,000 tons annually. NYPA typically funds part or all of the projects' costs and recovers its investment through energy savings. LOCKPORT: Hydropower Allocation to Help Create 25 Jobs— An allocation of low-cost hydroelectric power from the Niagara Power Project will help make possible the relocation here of an Illinois manufacturing and distribution facility operated by Duraline Pres-On Abrasives, creating 25 jobs. NYPA trustees on July 27 approved the sale of 150 kilowatts (kw) to the company from a 250,000-kw block of Niagara power reserved for businesses and industries within 30 miles of the project. Additional job creation support was provided through a $75,000 Capital Grant from Empire State Development. Duraline makes coated abrasive products for power tools, construction equipment, floor refinishing and other purposes. The company is purchasing a 30,000-square-foot building in Lockport and plans to invest $625,000 in the new facility, where it is moving the manufacturing equipment from its Addison, Ill., facility. The company also owns another plant in Lockport. Over 45,000 jobs at more than 100 other Western New York companies are also linked to Niagara power. NEW YORK: PLM Cools Off Energy Use on Hottest Days— The Power Authority activated its Peak Load Management (PLM) program for the first time this summer on July 21 and 22. With temperatures in the upper 80s and high humidity, NYPA called for cutbacks in nonessential electricity use by participating PLM customers in New York City, which receive financial incentives of $40 for each kilowatt reduced. This is the fifth year that NYPA's PLM program has helped the city lower its demand for electricity on the hottest summer days. More than 80 large government and business customers participate, with some having earned several hundred thousand dollars in PLM incentives in 2003. Power cutbacks are achieved through such measures as turning off nonessential lighting and computers, adjusting air-conditioner settings and running fewer elevators. The NYPA program is part of a statewide effort introduced by Gov. George Pataki to reduce New York's summer peak demand by some 950 megawatts, equivalent to the output of a large power plant. MASSENA: NYPA Awards Contract for Beach Facilities— The Power Authority has approved a $3.7 million contract for construction of new recreational facilities at town beaches in Waddington, Massena and Lisbon and in Whittaker Park in Waddington. NYPA trustees, meeting at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project on July 27, awarded the contract to the J.E. Sheehan Contracting Corp. of Potsdam. Work is scheduled to begin this year and be completed by 2005. The scope of the construction is extensive, with the facilities at the town beaches at Massena and Waddington and at Whittaker Park slated to be completely rehabilitated or replaced. The Power Authority is required to provide recreational facilities as part of its new 50-year license for the St. Lawrence-FDR project, awarded by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Oct. 23, 2003. Work planned in the Town of Lisbon, where NYPA completed a new bathhouse last year, is not part of the license but is included in a separate agreement with the town. LEWISTON: NYPA Employees Nominated for YWCA Awards— Three employees at the Niagara Power Project here have been nominated for the Niagara Award, presented each year by the YWCA of Niagara County to women who have created opportunities for growth and leadership for women in the county. Among the nominees vying for recognition in one of six categories—Leadership, Entrepreneur, Front Line, Executive, Professional, and Health and Human Services—are NYPA's Renee Beachy, a security guard; Cathy Blood, senior community relations representative; and Kathy Moyer, general clerk. All three have extensive experience volunteering for community and charitable organizations. This year's winners will be announced at the YWCA's Tribute to Women Dinner, set for Sept. 29 at the Conference Center in Niagara Falls. Proceeds from the event will benefit Caroline's House, a housing project in Niagara Falls that provides a place to live for homeless women and their families. In the Community: A NYPA electric vehicle was on display at the Sanborn Farm Flea Market and Car Cruise, July 31….The Niagara Power Project's visitors center presented a concert by the True Deliverance Temple Ensemble in conjunction with the Cultural Alliance of Niagara, which promotes Western New York arts and tourist attractions, Lewiston, July 31….NYPA co-sponsored a Chuck Mangione concert as part of the Summer 2004 at the Plaza, Empire State Plaza, Albany, July 21….The Schoharie Valley Antique Auto Show at the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project's visitors center raised over $7,700 for the Schoharie County Animal Shelter. Despite inclement weather, about 4,000 people enjoyed the show, where 275 cars and trucks were on display, North Blenheim, July 18. |