NEW YORK: Summer Load-Reduction Program Resumes—
The Power Authority's Peak Load Management (PLM) Program, an award-winning cooperative customer effort to reduce peak power use in New York City during the summer, is off and running for a fourth year. The program, which earned national recognition last year from the Peak Load Management Alliance, offers cash incentives to NYPA business and governmental customers in the city that commit to save energy when called upon during hours of high electric demand through September. Customers achieve the savings through measures such as turning off or dimming non-essential lighting, adjusting air-conditioning settings and using their own on-site generators. NYPA also participates in peak-load-reduction programs run by the Long Island Power Authority on Long Island and by the New York Independent System Operator across the state. The number of facilities enrolled in NYPA's load-reduction efforts in New York City and on Long Island has increased to more than 80, up by over 50 percent since last season, with the capability of shaving 160 megawatts from the region's peak electric demand. About two-thirds of the savings are in the city, where predicted record electric use this summer is expected to challenge tight power supplies.

ASTORIA: Construction of New NYPA Power Plant Moves Ahead— Work is progressing on schedule here for one of the cleanest and most efficient power plants ever built in New York City. Construction of the Power Authority's 500-megawatt combined-cycle plant is well under way, with some of its concrete foundations already poured and most of the structural-steel framework erected for one of its two heat-recovery steam generators, a key component. With the coming of warmer weather, activity has ramped up quickly, with more than 250 workers, representing more than 20 labor unions, on the site, adjacent to NYPA's Charles Poletti Power Project. Deliveries of equipment, by land and water, are ongoing. On June 9, a 250-ton gas turbine and a 170-ton generator arrived by barge at the project's dock on the East River. The new plant, scheduled to begin operating by the summer of 2005, will use two gas turbine-generators in conjunction with the heat-recovery steam generators and a steam turbine to significantly lower emissions and improve the facility's efficiency.

NORTH BLENHEIM: Spirit of 1778 Returns in Damp '03 Encore— About 350 men, women and children dressed as Colonial patriots, British loyalists and Native-American mercenaries camped on the grounds of NYPA's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project visitors center for a weekend of living history May 31-June 1 to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the 1778 Battle of Cobleskill. Stormy weather washed out the first day's battle re-creation, but the rain had subsided enough by the following afternoon to permit an abbreviated version of the Revolutionary War encounter, in which 22 Schoharie Valley colonists lost their lives. Other anniversary activities—including a ladies' tea, a mock demonstration of postbattle surgical techniques, a citizens' meeting and a dance—were held as scheduled in sheltered areas. More than 1,000 visitors traveled to the project over the weekend, mingling with re-enactors while touring the NYPA facilities. The Burning of the Valleys Military Association, the Continental Line and the British Brigade sponsored the event.

ASTORIA: NYPA to Donate Funds for Independence Day Event— For the 19th consecutive year, the Power Authority will help finance the Central Astoria Local Development Coalitions' Independence Day celebration, to be held July 2 in Astoria Park. Eugene Zeltmann, NYPA's president and chief executive officer, is scheduled to present a $30,000 check to Julian Wager, the coalition's president, on June 16 at the Authority's Charles Poletti Power Project here. This year's Independence Day celebration is dedicated to the men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces. It is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. with music by the Jazz Knights Band of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Fireworks are slated to follow at about 9:15 p.m.

LEWISTON: Art on Wheels Rolls Into Niagara Visitors Center—The Power Authority's admission-free visitors center at the Niagara Power Project is participating in this year's Art on Wheels exhibit, scattered across the Buffalo-Niagara region. The NYPA-co-sponsored one-time exhibit features 57 original sculptures and cars turned into works of art on display at historical, cultural and heritage host sites. At the entrance to the Power Vista, atop the Niagara River Gorge, visitors can view a kinetic art sculpture with wheel-like components that rotate in the breeze. Designed by Buffalo State College artists Robert Dray and Steve Saracino, the piece is called Trazow ("Mozart" spelled backwards and upside down). Art on Wheels will remain on view until October, when the works of art will be auctioned off. For more information, visit www.artonwheels.org

In the Community: Fathers and grandfathers coming to the Niagara Power Project's visitors center on Father's Day were scheduled to receive a NYPA baseball cap, Lewiston, June 15. Buster Bison, the official mascot of the Buffalo Bisons minor league baseball team, was slated to make a special appearance at the center on June 14….The Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project's visitors center played host to the Stamford Central School's Earth Day celebration, North Blenheim, June 10-11….The Power Authority sponsored the Seaway Trail's Family Day, Sackets Harbor, and a free concert and fireworks in the grand finale of Massena's annual Heritage Day Festival, both on June 7….NYPA representatives gave Basics of Electricity presentations to students at the Niagara Middle School, Niagara Falls, June 6; and the Big Tree Elementary School, Hamburg, June 5….A Power Authority information booth and electric vehicle were on display at Environmental Education Field Days, sponsored by the Niagara County Soil and Water District, Gasport, June 4….The Blenheim-Gilboa project's visitors center, North Blenheim, and Howe Caverns, Howes Cave, are offering free gas to motorists who visit both sites. Those who take advantage of the offer receive a $5 gift card, redeemable at any Stewart's Shop (while supplies last), for fueling their trip.…Anglers at the upper and lower reservoirs of the Blenheim-Gilboa project are casting their lines for newly stocked rainbow trout. The reservoirs are open for shoreline fishing from dawn to dusk.