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| Week of Dec. 19, 2004 |
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NEW YORK: NYPA, NYPD Mark 13-Year Energy Partnership— NYPA and the
New York Police Department (NYPD) in 2004 will complete their 13th year of
an energy partnership that now generates more than $1.5 million in annual
energy-efficiency savings for New York's Finest. The Power Authority has
invested more than $19 million in energy upgrades at 45 of the department's
76 precinct stations, the New York Police Academy training facility, the
NYPD's lower Manhattan headquarters and support facilities in each of the
city's five boroughs. NYPA recovers its costs through the energy savings.
Improvements range from energy-efficient lighting and controls to advanced
motors, pumps, boilers, chillers for air conditioning, energy management
systems, room sensors, steam traps and double-insulated windows. A NYPA fuel
cell at NYPD's Central Park station house drew international attention
following the August 2003 blackout by powering the facility without
interruption throughout the emergency. WESTERN NEW YORK: Hydropower Spurs Creation of 36 Jobs— Allocations of low-cost NYPA hydropower will help create 36 jobs at two Western New York manufacturers of precision-machined components. The Power Authority's trustees on Dec.14 approved the allocations from NYPA's Niagara Power Project to support expansion plans of the Curtis Screw Co. of Buffalo and PCB Now-Tech of Lackawanna. Curtis Screw, which manufactures components and assemblies for the automotive industry, is slated to add 16 employees to its current work force of 260 and invest $3.5 million in new equipment to manufacture power-steering racks for Ford trucks and SUVs. PCB Now-Tech, which manufactures machined components for the medical, aerospace and defense industries, plans to create 20 jobs at Lackawanna, where it now employs 60 people. The Western New York Advisory Group, consisting of the Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk, Empire State Development and the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, had recommended the allocations. An agreement signed by the group's members last year makes Niagara power allocations available on a continuous basis to maximize the project's economic development benefits. NYPA has since approved allocations under the agreement to 23 companies in the region, where Niagara power supports a total of more than 43,000 jobs. BRONX: NYPA Funds Grants for Local Environmental Projects— Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr., announced on Dec. 8 more than $2.1 million in grants funded by NYPA for local environmental projects identified by the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment (BIEE). The programs funded include energy-efficient green roofs, small-business energy surveys, community clean-ups, solar and wind technology, and tree plantings. The Bronx Borough President and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation established the BIEE to increase awareness of advanced alternative-energy technologies and encourage their use in the borough. In partnership with the Power Authority, the BIEE has created environmental, electric transportation and Greening the Bronx grants programs, along with an Environmental Revolving Loan Fund to provide interest-free loans to Bronx businesses, housing developments and non-profits for energy-saving measures, alternative-energy technologies or electric-equipment purchases. In addition to its support for the BIEE, NYPA has invested about $110 million in more than 210 energy-services projects in the Bronx since 1992, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by more than 111,000 tons annually. HERE AND THERE: NYPA Employees Capture Holiday Spirit— Power Authority employees throughout the state are demonstrating that it's better to give than to receive by organizing and supporting a variety of charitable activities that revolve around the end-of-year holidays. At some NYPA facilities, employees make one-time donations of money and gifts to support needy individuals; at other sites, staff members start contributing months in advance, with regular payroll deductions and fundraising events scheduled through the year. In 2004, more than 300 children, about 30 senior citizens and nine families were "adopted" by Power Authority employees participating in holiday charity efforts. At NYPA's St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena, staff members collected money and gifts for 52 children from low-income families, along with 30 seniors at local nursing homes. Employees there also participated in a regional holiday food drive. Niagara Power Project staff members in Lewiston raised money through the year to buy about $75 worth of warm clothing for each of 88 needy youngsters. At NYPA's White Plains office and Charles Poletti Power Project in Astoria, employees provided money and gifts for about 180 children through the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. The Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project in Schoharie County and the Clark Energy Center in Marcy have "adopted" six families, who will benefit from holiday fundraisers. And at the Authority's Albany office, three needy families will receive gifts to brighten their holiday season. HERE AND THERE: NYPA Donates More Surplus Computers— The Power Authority is ending 2004 by making additional donations of surplus computers throughout New York State. Almost 300 gently used, late-model desktop units previously operated by NYPA employees have been donated this year to various public facilities, with special emphasis on educational programs and community-service projects. Among the most recent recipients were the Otto Shortell Middle School in Wampsville, Madison County, and Somers High School in Westchester County. Additional donations are planned for the coming weeks and months. Each computer is thoroughly cleaned and furnished with 64 megabytes of memory before donation. In the Community: Visitors centers at NYPA's Niagara Power Project, Lewiston, and Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project, North Blenheim, entertained almost 1,300 people at holiday celebrations in which children received a colorful ornament and visited with Santa, Dec. 11….The Power Authority co-sponsored the Executive Order 111 - Clean and Green State Buildings and Vehicles Conference, where it provided an exhibit on NYPA's energy-services program, Empire State Plaza, Albany, Dec. 6-7. Gov. George Pataki's order, issued in 2001, mandates cuts in energy use and increased reliance on renewable energy and clean-fueled vehicles by state agencies.…Steve Colan, facilities manager at the Niagara project, was among the graduates of the Leadership Niagara program honored at a recognition dinner at Niagara University, Lewiston, Dec. 6. Leadership Niagara is a yearlong program for Western New Yorkers recognized as future leaders. The Power Authority received Leadership Niagara's Leader of the Year award in 2003 for its contributions to tourism and the local economy….Randy Crissman, regional manager for Western New York, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Old Fort Niagara Association, Youngstown. Crissman will help develop a visitors center and upgrade exhibits and programs at the 300-year old fort, on Lake Ontario.…Power Authority employees have donated nearly $70,000 to the 2004 State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) and United Way campaigns. |