NEW YORK CITY: Clean School Bus Programs Rated High— New York State is among the top 16 states making significant progress toward reducing harmful tailpipe emissions from school buses, according to a national study. The Union of Concerned Scientists rated New York State’s efforts “above average,” noting an active program to retrofit buses with pollution controls and use cleaner fuels, which includes the Power Authority’s initiative with the New York City Department of Education. That effort funded installation of emission-reduction equipment on 1,426 city school buses owned by the independent fleet operators participating in the program, and introduced the use of cleaner-burning diesel fuel in 2,800 buses. The Education Department said the NYPA program has been effective in reducing emissions of particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides and hydrocarbons, and has proved that the technologies are effective. “Our strategy supports Governor Pataki’s view that government has a responsibility to lead by example,” said NYPA President Timothy Carey.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Expands Municipal Energy Programs— The 51 municipal and rural cooperative electric systems in the state are now eligible for NYPA’s statewide energy services program. They may obtain low-interest financing from NYPA, expanding their financing options to help implement energy-efficiency programs for their business and residential customers. The latest eligibility announcement builds on conservation programs NYPA has extended to the 51 systems, including an electric vehicle purchase program and energy-efficiency projects. NYPA will review municipal and co-op energy-efficiency measures, analyze savings estimates, provide technical assistance and, if requested, provide financing. Statewide, similar NYPA-directed programs save public facilities close to $93 million annually in energy costs; have reduced energy consumption of equipment such as lighting, boilers, and heating and air-conditioning, and introduced solar power and fuel cells.

TARRYTOWN: NYPA President Profiles Westchester Power Role—In remarks to the Lower Hudson Valley Energy Forum here on June 8, Power Authority President Timothy Carey outlined NYPA’s role of providing low-cost power for the past 30 years to Westchester County government and more than 100 municipalities, school and water districts and public entities such as government buildings, streetlights and commuter trains. NYPA power will save customers about 30 percent compared with other sources. In the Lower Hudson Valley, the Power Authority’s other energy activities include one of the world’s first fuel cells to run on anaerobic digester gas, at a wastewater treatment plant in Yonkers; solar power projects at 10 locations in Westchester and Orange counties; and nearly 225 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles deployed in the region. Carey said NYPA is helping Gov. George Pataki’s initiative to develop a clean-coal power plant in New York State; a program to demonstrate plug-in hybrid vehicles; and a study on using hydropower to produce hydrogen. In the Lower Hudson Valley, NYPA has invested more than $60 million in energy-efficiency programs at more than 280 schools and other public facilities, saving energy, taxpayer dollars and more than 150,000 barrels of oil each year. The Energy Forum was sponsored by NYPA, the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance and the Westchester County Business Journal.

MASSENA: Authority Transfers Excess Lands in Town of Lisbon—The transfer of ownership from the Power Authority to adjoining landowners in the Town of Lisbon has begun for the first of about 600 acres of land that was previously within the boundary of the Power Authority’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project. The transfer of excess lands to adjoining property owners or municipalities was part of the comprehensive settlement agreement reached during the relicensing of the power project. The landowners will pay fair market value for the parcels, determined by an independent appraisal. Initial transfers are taking place within Lisbon. Adjoining landowners seeking available parcels previously in the project boundary in Massena, Louisville and Waddington are currently reviewing independent appraisals. In 2005, the state attorney general determined that NYPA must charge fair market value to adjoining landowners for any land transferred out of the project boundary.

WHITE PLAINS: Purchasing Expo Taps Minority Vendors– In keeping with its mission to promote economic development statewide, the Power Authority will once again host its annual Purchasing Exchange for minority- and women- owned suppliers, and large buying organizations, on June 22, from noon to 4 p.m., at its corporate offices at 123 Main Street in White Plains. For 16 years the event has provided an environment for suppliers to exchange information and procurement opportunities with each other and with representatives from NYPA, other utilities, trade associations, state agencies and authorities, and corporate entities. Participants this year will include Hertz, Colgate Palmolive, KeySpan, Con Edison, Time Warner and more. Since its inception in 1983, the exchange has proved to be a powerful networking event, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to qualified M/WBEs for various products and services. For more information or to register, go to www.nypa.gov/calendar.

SCARSDALE: Annual Spring Event A Little Greener This Year— The Power Authority was among 13 exhibitors on June 11 as the Greenburgh Nature Center held its 25th annual “Springfair” day of family fun. This year’s event included a “Growing Green Expo” featuring exhibits on ways to make one’s home and lifestyle more environmentally friendly. NYPA representatives demonstrated how hybrid-electric vehicles contribute to cleaner air quality and fewer trips to the gas station, and distributed information on home energy conservation. Other exhibits featured the use of hydrogen fuel for automobiles, photovoltaic cells for producing electricity from sunlight, and a variety of “green” home building and maintenance products. The Nature Center is attempting to use green building design and technology as it renovates its 1918 manor house museum and related facilities.

ASTORIA: Power Authority Supports Queens July 4th Tradition—Helping to support the Queens Independence Day Celebration for the 22nd year, the Power Authority made a $35,000 contribution to the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition. NYPA President Timothy Carey presented the contribution, noting NYPA’s continuing efforts to be a good neighbor around its Charles Poletti Power Project in Astoria. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Freedom.” It will be held on June 29 at Astoria Park, beginning at 7:30 p.m. with a Marine Corps color guard followed by a performance from the old-time rock ’n’ roll band Risky Business. Fireworks are set to start at 9 p.m.

In the Community: Speakers bureau members spoke to the Yorktown Rotary Club on NYPA programs in Westchester County, June 14, and to the Ossining Women’s Club on electrical safety in the home, June 1…NYPA displayed one its electric-drive cars at the Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District Field Days, Gasport, June 7; at the Springhurst Elementary School, Dobbs Ferry, June 5; at the Astoria Health Fair in Queens; and at the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, Niagara Falls, June 3…The Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce awarded the Power Authority the Chamber of Commerce Chair Award, recognizing outstanding commitment to the quality of life in the region, Niagara Falls, June 2.