MASSENA: Relicensing Accords Filed With Federal Regulators—The Power Authority's efforts to obtain a new federal license to operate its St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project moved a major step forward this month with the completion of a series of agreements among NYPA, government agencies and various stakeholders, including communities near the project. The comprehensive settlement package, filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Feb. 6, provides for the return of additional land to local communities, the establishment of a $115 million fund for localities and school districts, and various other actions to protect and enhance the environment and expand recreational opportunities. NYPA's original 50-year license for the project expires on Oct. 31. The settlement agreements mirror proposals in NYPA's license application. Further information is available at www.stl.nypa.gov.

STATEN ISLAND: NYPA-Installed School Boilers to Cut Pollution—The Power Authority has begun the installation of two new natural gas-fueled boilers and other energy-efficiency upgrades at P.S. 13 in Rosebank. The work at the elementary school is part of a NYPA program to offset air emissions from its 10 small natural gas-fired turbine-generators in New York City, including one on Staten Island. The school is expanding, creating an opportune time to replace its inefficient 20-year-old boilers with clean dual-fueled models, reducing emissions by 2.5 tons a year. NYPA's $2.2 million program at the school includes a climate control upgrade to improve distribution of chilled air and chilled water in its computer labs. A lighting system upgrade will provide better illumination and trim the school's energy costs by close to $17,000 a year. The project is scheduled for completion by November.

MASSENA: St. Lawrence Project Revitalization Moves Ahead— The second turbine-generator unit to be refurbished as part of a $254 million Life Extension and Modernization (LEM) effort at the Power Authority's St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project is back in service. Workers spent slightly more than nine months repairing and replacing parts of the power-producing unit, returning it to service on Jan. 23, as scheduled. On Feb. 3, NYPA crews began to dismantle the third of the project's 16 turbine-generators, which will be overhauled as part of the multiyear improvement program. The entire LEM effort at St. Lawrence-FDR is scheduled for completion by 2013, improving the efficiency and extending the operating life of the Power Authority's first generating facility, which began producing electricity in 1958. The 800,000-kilowatt St. Lawrence-FDR project generates some of the nation's least-expensive electricity and is a cornerstone of the Northern New York economy.

QUEENS: NYPA to Donate Computers to Two More Schools—The Power Authority will provide surplus computer equipment to two schools here as part of its program to make refurbished computers available to schools statewide. NYPA will deliver 10 computers to P.S. 84 in Long Island City and 10 computers to Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria. The Power Authority utilizes about 1,700 computers in its normal operations and replaces about 400 to 500 each year. The surplus equipment has been thoroughly cleaned and tested, and a new operating system and a minimum of 64 megabytes of memory have been installed. Any missing or broken parts have been replaced. NYPA previously provided surplus computers to schools in Niagara Falls and the Bronx.

WADDINGTON: NYPA Assists With Purchase of Rescue Device—The Power Authority has contributed $15,000 toward the purchase of a thermal imaging camera by the Waddington Volunteer Fire Department. The camera uses state-of-the-art technology that allows firefighters to "see" through haze and smoke. The devices have proved useful in locating victims and protecting fire and rescue personnel from dangers obscured by smoke. "This equipment will help save lives, enhancing the fire department's ability to see during search and rescue operations while minimizing safety risks to our firefighters," Waddington Village Mayor Liz Phillips said.

NORTH BLENHEIM: World Travelers, Get Your Passports—If you've put off a winter trip in order to save for a new roof or repair the family car, there's an economical and efficient way to see different parts of the world—and even travel back in time—while avoiding long lines at the airport. Pack light but bring the family to the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center, where the World Travelogue Series will continue on March 2 with a program presented by Bea Mizerak on Canada's Maritime Provinces. On March 9, Bill Massoth will present Tin Horns and Calico, a documentary on America's Anti-Rent Wars in the colonial era, and on March 16, Karen Brueck will present a film of her trip Cycling Through America. The series will conclude on March 23 with a documentary, The Lewis and Clark Expedition, presented by Peg and Bob Farrell. All programs are free, begin at 2:30 p.m. and include light refreshments. Reservations are required. For more information, call (800) 724-0309.

In the Community: The Niagara Power Project's visitors center played host to the kick-off reception for the American Cancer's Society's Relay for Life event, Lewiston, Feb. 19….Employees at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project donated 32 pints of blood in a Red Cross blood drive, Massena, Feb. 11….NYPA sponsored the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner, Utica, Feb. 11….Skip Hodge, a NYPA conservation program engineer from the Bronx, was among those honored at Gov. George E. Pataki's annual Tribute to African-American Leaders in State Service, Albany, Feb. 4….The Power Authority's video production unit has won an Award of Excellence from The Communicators Awards, an international awards program recognizing excellence in audio, video and print-media communications, for a 22-minute video on the construction of the Niagara project.