WHITE PLAINS: NYPA, Partners Earn National R&D Honors— A first-of-its-kind device to improve the performance of hydroelectric power generators, developed jointly by NYPA, Toronto-based Iris Power LP and the Electric Power Research Institute, has been singled out by R&D Magazine as one of the “R&D 100” technical innovations of the year. The Hydro Flux Monitor detects faults in the rotor performance of generators by continuously analyzing magnetic flux patterns, and provides an alarm when a fault is detected. No similar technology was available before its development. The monitor allows measurements to be made without the time and expense of sending personnel to the plant, reducing overall test costs while improving staff utilization. “It promises increased reliability and cost reductions for NYPA and many other utilities relying on hydrogeneration,” said Ed Welz, NYPA senior vice president and chief engineer, Power Generation. The first monitors are being installed at each of the 16 hydroelectric generating units at NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR hydroelectric project in Massena, and will be installed at other Power Authority hydroprojects. For more than 40 years the “R&D 100” awards have identified the most technologically innovative products introduced each year, assessed by an independent judging panel and the magazine’s editors.

LEWISTON: NYPA Sponsors Energy-Saving Travel Program— The Power Authority has launched an energy-saving summer travel campaign focusing on destinations near the visitors centers at its major power projects. The campaign, “More Cruisin’ Less Fuelin’…No Foolin’!” encourages local travelers to visit destinations close to their homes, to reduce energy use and better cope with high gasoline prices. NYPA visitors centers here and in Massena and North Blenheim offer free packets of information on a host of nearby attractions to help plan a summer of memorable day-tripping adventures. Activities in Western New York start with a trip to NYPA’s own admission-free Power Vista, the visitors center at the Niagara Project, and continue on to other nearby attractions. The Power Vista offers a fun-filled day with many exciting hands-on exhibits on energy, electricity, history and the environment, plus a visit to its observation deck that provides a bird’s-eye view of the Niagara River and Gorge 350 feet below. The Power Vista is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for some holidays. While at the Power Vista, visitors can pick up a free packet of information on a host of nearby attractions for families right in their own backyards. For more information on the Power Vista and a schedule of events, call 716-286-6661 or 1-866-NYPA-FUN. To learn about the travel program at all the visitors centers, go to www.nypa.gov.

PEEKSKILL: ‘Celebration’ Includes NYPA-Sponsored Event—NYPA will help sponsor the kickoff concert for the 10th Peekskill Celebration, scheduled for Aug. 4-6 in Riverfront Green Park and Downtown Peekskill. The Friday night concert, featuring Creole jazz by the group Buckwheat Zydeco, will be co-sponsored by Local 21 of the Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVACR Service Union. The Power Authority will also exhibit a low-emission hybrid-electric vehicle. The Peekskill Celebration will also feature arts and crafts shows, a classic car show, a farmers market, community and business exhibits, public safety displays, main stage entertainment, a flea market and a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday night.

MASSENA: Hawkins Point To Host ‘Power Dam Jam’— NYPA’s Hawkins Point Visitors Center is gearing up to play host to the First Annual St. Lawrence River “Power Dam Jam” scheduled for Aug. 11 and 12. Organized by the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce, with the Power Authority as the major sponsor, the Power Dam Jam revitalizes the 20-year NYPA-sponsored Festival of North Country Folklife. Other event sponsors are SeaComm Federal Credit Union, Alcoa and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Community Partnership. Music groups will include the bluegrass Gibson Brothers Band and a Celtic music ensemble, the Brigadoons. Also on the bill are concerts and performances featuring country music, fiddle tunes, gospel, bluegrass, ethnic folk music and more. Arts and crafts booths and local culinary treats will be featured, along with a series of workshops on music, instruments and songwriting. Admission will be $5 for the entire event. The Power Dam Jam will take place under a tent, so will be held rain or shine.

LEWISTON: Volunteer of Year Lights Up Many Lives— A photographer at the Niagara Power Project has been named the Power Authority’s Volunteer of the Year for 2006, for her years of community service. Anne Dykstra wowed her colleagues by helping to produce “Electric City,” a NYPA-sponsored multi-media 3-D presentation commemorating the 100th anniversary of Buffalo’s Pan-American Exposition of 1901. The exposition celebrated the “new” achievement of transmitting hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls to downtown Buffalo 25 miles away, illuminating the city and its 350-acre fairground. Dykstra’s long hours and work-filled weekends with other volunteers over a two-year period paid off. The acclaimed production was set to run for three months, but was extended to 18 months and had more than 113,000 viewers. Dykstra has also helped promote programs in her local school district, taught youngsters about fashion and photography, and arranged field trips and student fashion shows. Her current activities include knitting children’s caps and blankets to donate to local hospitals, helping out at the Niagara County YWCA’s shelter for battered women, and serving as secretary to the Niagara Power Employees Association, which raises money for needy families at holiday time.

QUEENS: NYPA Assists in Neighborhood Effort Against Crime— The Power Authority will support the National Night Out Against Crime on Aug. 1. The event at Astoria Park in Queens will run from 5 to 8 p.m., organized by Astoria’s 114th Precinct Community Council in conjunction with the local chapter of the National Association of Town Watch. NYPA will have a Ford Escape hybrid-electric vehicle on display, and more than 40 area vendors, local businesses and community organizations will participate. There will be music, hot dogs and beverages, and giveaways for youngsters. The National Night Out is a crime/drug prevention event that strengthens neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Police officers will offer free fingerprinting for kids and staff a dunk-tank for the kid in everyone. There will be a song and dance performance by members of the Boys & Girls Club of Queens.

In the Community: The Power Authority provided information booths about the Niagara project’s Visitors Center at the St. George's Orthodox Church Second Annual Mediterranean Festival, Lewiston, July 14-16, and at the Buffalo Bison game, Dunn Tire Park, Buffalo, July 8...NYPA representatives spoke to children at the St. Luke’s Mission Day Camp on the basics of electricity, Buffalo, and to the Wednesday Men’s Club, Temple Israel of New Rochelle, on new energy technologies, July 5…The Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitors Center, North Blenheim, hosted the annual New York State Rural Electric Cooperative Association meeting, July 27…Sobeida Cruz, director of public and governmental affairs for the Lower Hudson Valley, spoke to the Alliance of Green Schools and Communities on the Power Authority’s energy-efficiency programs, Mamaroneck Public Library, July 19…NYPA representatives were on hand with an exhibit on the Niagara Power Project’s Visitors Center at the “Tuesday in the Park” concert series at Artpark in Lewiston. NYPA is also sponsoring the children's activities that take place during the summer-long concert series.