MASSENA: Eel Passage Facility Activated at St. Lawrence-FDR— A $2 million eel passage facility has begun operation at the Power Authority’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, permitting American eels to pass over the project’s main dam. Several thousand eels have gone through the system since it went into service this summer. The eel facility is one of several fish and wildlife protection measures being carried out by NYPA under its new 50-year year federal license for the power project. A gentle stream of water is provided throughout the system, capitalizing on the migrating eels’ instinct to swim upstream on their 2,500-mile journey from the Sargasso Sea, near Bermuda, in the Atlantic Ocean. The eel passage facility was designed by C&S Engineers of Syracuse and built by B-S Industrial Contracting of Gouverneur, reflecting the Power Authority’s efforts to use North Country and other upstate businesses for activities related to the St. Lawrence-FDR project relicensing.

QUEENS: ‘BigBelly’ Solar Trash Compactors Deemed a Success— The world’s first solar-powered trash compactor, nicknamed “BigBelly” for the volume of refuse it can hold, is meeting high expectations. Some 44 “BigBelly” compactors, deployed last year in eight Business Improvement Districts here, have reduced trash collection frequency by 70 percent, enhancing air quality by reducing truck emissions and fuel consumption. The compactors were unveiled as part of the Queens Clean Air Project, which is supported by a $2 million grant from the Power Authority. The trash receptacles can compress the volume of refuse to one-eighth of the original size. The sun’s energy powers highly efficient motors that deliver up to 1,500 pounds of pressure.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Announces Management Moves in State—Five Power Authority managers have received new assignments. Randy Crissman, formerly the regional manager for Western New York, has been promoted to the newly created position of vice president of business development and asset management at NYPA’s administrative office here. He will develop strategies for the Power Authority’s Power Generation and Transmission business units. Horace Horton, formerly NYPA’s regional manager for Central New York, has replaced Crissman and is based at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston. Allen Schriver, formerly regional manager for Northern New York at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena, has replaced Horton at the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County. Richard Turner, the former director of maintenance productivity improvement at St. Lawrence-FDR, has been promoted to replace Schriver. Thomas Shust, superintendent of maintenance at the Clark Energy Center in Marcy, has been promoted to general manager there.

NEW YORK CITY: Authority Co-sponsors ECOFEST Sept. 3 — The 18th annual ECOFEST, billed as the largest environmental event on the East Coast, will be held at Lincoln Center here on Sept. 3 to promote awareness of urban and global environmental issues. NYPA is a co-sponsor and will exhibit a hybrid-electric vehicle, part of its clean-transportation program. A major focus of ECOFEST, along with conservation of natural resources, is innovative alternative-energy technologies. NYPA has extensive energy-efficiency programs in place, as well as projects to develop solar energy, fuel cells and other new energy sources.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA to Support Hispanic Heritage Month— The Power Authority will mark Hispanic Heritage Month by sponsoring events in New York City and White Plains. On Sept. 7 NYPA will support a reception and awards ceremony preceding the Hudson River Festival Latin Summer Concert at Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan. On Sept. 15, in White Plains, NYPA will be a major sponsor of the Hispanic Day Parade. “Work force diversity is essential to the well-being of the environment at the Power Authority,” said NYPA President Timothy Carey. “Currently, Hispanic employees make up 5 percent of the Power Authority’s work force. We are aware of the large population growth among Hispanics and applaud their major contributions to the State of New York and the nation.” As a further tribute during Hispanic Heritage Month, Carey said, the lunchroom in NYPA’s office building here will serve foods that are part of the cultures of Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

MASSENA: Energy-Saving Travel Program Cuts Gasoline Costs— The Power Authority is promoting an energy-saving 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 Lewiston and North Blenheim offer free packets of information on many nearby attractions to help plan a summer of memorable day-tripping adventures. Activities in Northern New York start with a trip to NYPA’s own admission-free Hawkins Point Visitors Center at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, and continue on to other nearby attractions. The visitors center offers a fun-filled day with its many hands-on exhibits on energy, electricity, history and the environment, plus a visit to its observation deck that provides a panoramic view of NYPA’s power dam, the St. Lawrence River and Canada. Right next door is Robert Moses State Park for hiking, camping, boating and fishing. Or visitors can have a picnic by the St. Lawrence Seaway’s Eisenhower Lock as they watch ocean-going ships pass through it. The Hawkins Point Visitors Center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Columbus Day. For more information call 315-764-0226 ext. 300, or toll-free at 800-262-NYPA for New York State residents.