ALBANY: Two Western New York Firms Get Low-cost Power— Two companies in Western New York will receive low-cost Power Authority electricity from the Niagara Power Project in return for commitments to create 53 new jobs. Invitrogen Corp., a pharmaceutical and biotech company in Grand Island, and American Axle and Manufacturing in Cheektowaga are undergoing multimillion dollar expansions that will be supported by the allocations, which were approved by Power Authority trustees at a meeting here. The power allocations are the latest in a series that have been made since early 2004 under an enhanced process for making the low-cost power available to encourage investment and job creation in Western New York.

NEW YORK CITY: Electric Trucks to Join Postal Fleet in Queens— Two new zero-emission electric delivery trucks are scheduled to join the U.S. Postal Service fleet in October for service at the Flushing, Queens, post office, with funding supplied by the Power Authority. They will be added to a fleet of 30 other electric delivery trucks already being used at postal facilities around New York City. The vehicles replace diesel-powered trucks used to transport mail and bulk packages between central distribution facilities and neighborhood post offices. The electric trucks are part of a $23 million voluntary initiative by NYPA, a leader in alternative-fuel transportation, to offset the emissions from a series of small, clean power plants installed four years ago to address power shortages predicted for downstate New York. The electric trucks have a range of 40 miles on a complete charge, with a top speed of 60 miles per hour.

ALBANY: Albany Airport Gets “Green” Support Vehicles— NYPA is participating in a federal program to supply electric-powered ground support vehicles to the Albany International Airport to help reduce air pollution and operating costs. NYPA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will fund the purchase of 10 electric vehicles, including electric baggage tractors and an electric charging station. The station is capable of charging several vehicles quickly at the same time, reducing downtime for the busy machines. The FAA money is part of its Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) program, to replace older diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles. The Albany airport is among the first in the nation to receive funds under the VALE program. The Power Authority hopes to spark interest in the program at other major airports in New York State.

NIAGARA FALLS: State Park to Test Electric Utility Vehicle— The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has agreed to test a NYPA all-electric utility truck on the grounds of Niagara Falls State Park starting this month. Six rechargeable batteries power the vehicle itself, custom-designed by golf car maker Club Car. The vehicle can travel about 13 miles before a six-to-eight hour recharge is required. A separate on-board bank of six batteries provides AC power for electric outdoor power equipment in remote areas. NYPA supplied the truck to the park with a mulching electric lawn mower, a leaf blower/shredder, a brush trimmer, hedge trimmers and an electric chain saw. The quiet-running truck, to be tested at the park for a year, will demonstrate how electric equipment can eliminate pollution created by gasoline-powered grounds-keeping equipment, particularly power mowers. Each gasoline-powered mower produces as much pollution as 40 late-model automobiles. The truck drew considerable attention while on display as part of the NYPA exhibit at the New York State Fair in Syracuse in late August.

NEW YORK CITY: NYPA Takes Center Stage with ‘Green Roof’— The Power Authority has joined Silvercup Studios, home to such popular TV shows as the “Sopranos” and “Sex in the City,” in a major production that’s being billed as “the largest and most ambitious green roof project ever realized and scientifically monitored in New York.” Roughly 35,000 square feet of urban rooftop in Long Island City has been transformed into a living, breathing system of colorful vegetation that will insulate the building, conserve energy and reduce air pollution. The roof will make its debut on Sept. 29 with a Hollywood-style gala featuring cocktails, food, entertainment and the Manhattan skyline. Some $510,000 in NYPA funding, administered through the Queens Clean Air Project, a venture of Clean Air Communities, helped to make possible the project, which will aid a team of scientists in studying the benefits of implementing green roof technology in the city. The green roof installation was designed by Balmori Associates in collaboration with the Long Island City Business Development Corporation, Silvercup Studios and Earth Pledge.

GREEN ISLAND: NYPA Assists in Purchase of Hybrid Vehicle— The Green Island Power Authority, which receives NYPA electricity, has purchased a Ford Escape hybrid-electric sport-utility vehicle under the growing Municipal Electric-Drive Vehicle program. Green Island joins municipal electric systems in Boonville, Fairport, Rouses Point, Spencerport and Springville as participants in the program, established by NYPA and the state Municipal Electric Utilities Association (MEUA). Under the program, NYPA has established a $1.2 million loan fund to help the state’s 47 municipal utilities and four rural electric cooperatives—all NYPA customers—in the purchase of low-or-no-emission electric or hybrid-electric vehicles. The MEUA itself has also purchased a car. The Escape operates on a 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery and a 2.3-liter gasoline engine. The battery is recharged by the gasoline engine and also by capturing energy released during braking. The SUV runs only on electric power at low speeds, cutting back on most emissions during short-distance trips.

ROME: Rowing Regatta Draws Greater Numbers of Enthusiasts— The Power Authority once again is a key sponsor for a popular weekend rowing competition on the historic Erie Canal, scheduled this year for Sept. 24-25 at the Rome Rowing Center on Muck Road. Some 600 rowing enthusiasts were expected to take part in the annual event, which is officially billed as the “Head of the Erie” and is organized by the Erie Canal Rowing Club. A “head race” is one in which the crews start at different times and race against the clock, with the best time determining the winner. The competition is open to those of high school age and up, and has even attracted one octogenarian, according to Gerry Lacy, president of the rowing club and regatta director. Participation has increased yearly since the first race in 1998. Past contestants have included teams from nearby Liverpool, Nottingham and Cazenovia high schools, as well as college teams.