NEW YORK CITY: Trade Center ‘Goes Green’ With NYPA Help—Gov. George Pataki’s announcement this month about new energy and environmental measures that will be part of the World Trade Center (WTC) redevelopment includes significant contributions from the Power Authority. The Freedom Tower and WTC Office Towers 2, 3 and 4 will be fueled in part by four 1.2-megawatt fuel cells to be acquired by NYPA, making this one of the largest fuel cell installations in the world. The fuel cells will provide emission-free, on-site generation and help to make the buildings less dependent on the power grid. NYPA will also provide 93 million kilowatt-hours of Renewable Energy Credits and finance $30 million worth of energy efficiency measures for the WTC site. “This redevelopment will be a global example of ‘green’ building design and a constant reminder of our commitment to break the cycle of dependence on foreign energy,” said Pataki, who has directed state agencies and authorities to be more energy efficient and environmentally aware.

NIAGARA FALLS: Energy-Efficient Lighting for Niagara Rapids—A NYPA-installed lighting upgrade to better illuminate the Niagara River’s roiling rapids just above the falls will save Niagara Falls State Park more than $60,000 a year in electricity, bulb replacement and maintenance costs. The Power Authority contributed a team of lighting experts as well as new lighting technologies for the installation of the more energy-efficient HID (high-intensity discharge) shoreline lamps for a higher level of controlled lighting. Precision reflectors help direct the light output with greater accuracy, reducing extraneous glare on the river’s Goat Island. The team replaced 1,000-watt lamps with 150- and 250-watt metal halide lamps that equal the light output of the older bulbs. Lamp life of the new fixtures is more than twice that of their predecessors, and replacement costs have been reduced 10-fold.

ALEXANDRIA BAY: Energy Efficiency Key to Independence— Power Authority President Timothy Carey called for development of clean energy technologies and a strong commitment to energy efficiency as “essential to cut our dependence on foreign oil.” He spoke to the state Municipal Electric Utilities Association’s (MEUA) 76th annual conference in Alexandria Bay on Sept. 12. He said NYPA and the MEUA are jointly working on energy efficiency, clean transportation and other measures. Earlier this year NYPA approved participation by municipal systems and rural electric cooperatives in its statewide energy services program, enabling the systems to receive financial and technical assistance from the Authority for energy-efficiency projects. The municipal systems and cooperatives have used a total of $460,000 in NYPA loans to purchase 19 electric or hybrid-electric vehicles, helping further to clean air and reduce dependence on oil.

NEW YORK CITY: NYPA Helps Exhibit Hybrid-Electric Vehicle— The latest in clean transportation technology, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), is being unveiled in New York State this fall. DaimlerChrysler’s PHEV Sprinter van is considered a “next generation” prototype, combining the best of both electric and hybrid-electric technologies. NYPA, in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute, is helping to introduce the vehicle at a series of events that started this month. On Sept. 14, Power Authority President Timothy Carey joined Battery Park City Authority President Jim Cavanaugh in demonstrating the Sprinter van on the streets of Lower Manhattan. On Sept. 19, a Sprinter van was displayed at Niagara Falls State Park, and other appearances are scheduled around the state. By next year, a Sprinter van is expected to take part in a fleet demonstration project at The New York Times. The battery in the plug-in is larger than ones used in standard hybrid-electric vehicles and thus the van can travel farther in an all-electric mode between charges. The Sprinter van has a zero emission, all-electric range of 20 miles, making it ideal for use in urban areas and/or parks.

SYRACUSE: Energy/Environmental Expo Set for Sept. 25-26— NYPA is a major sponsor of one of New York’s largest environmental business conferences, the Sixth Annual Empire Energy and Environmental Exposition (E4), hosted by the Environmental Business Association of New York State, and scheduled for Sept. 25 and 26 at the Oncenter Complex here. E4 will feature more than 50 exhibits and is expected to attract hundreds of professionals, business leaders, policymakers and government leaders from across the state. NYPA President Timothy Carey will participate in a morning forum on Sept. 26 along with regional leaders, state Assembly members and others. The conference goal is to stimulate business development, awareness and growth opportunities in the energy and environmental sector. E4 will also serve as a launching point for the development here of a $20 billion retail entertainment complex being billed as one of the “greenest” projects in the country. For more information go to www.eba-nys.org.

NEW YORK CITY: Hydrogen-Fuel Exhibit Planned for NextFest—Details on a plan to produce emission-free hydrogen fuel from electricity generated at NYPA’s Niagara Power Project will be part of an exhibit at NextFest, the annual technology fair hosted by WIRED magazine. To be held at the Javits Center from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, NextFest will showcase the latest developments in areas ranging from health and security to energy, entertainment and communication. NYPA’s exhibit at the event’s Green Pavilion will explain its hydropower-to-hydrogen initiative. NYPA will be joined at NextFest by other state agencies promoting environmentally friendly technologies. To learn more about state efforts to advance hydrogen production and use, visit: www.nypa.gov. Information about NextFest, including admission hours and ticket prices, can be found at: www.nextfest.net.

YONKERS: NYPA’s History Shared With Yonkers Viewers— The Power Authority’s 75th anniversary commemorative video, “Bold Dream…Shining Legacy,” is being aired on the City of Yonkers’ government access station, channel 78 on Cablevision of Westchester, twice daily, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., through Oct. 11. NYPA officials worked with Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone and members of the City Council to arrange for the airing of the 43-minute feature that was produced in-house by NYPA’s video production staff. The video tells the story of the struggle to create the Power Authority and its inception in 1931; construction of the power projects that have made NYPA the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility; and recent work in areas such as energy efficiency and new energy technologies. NYPA is working with other cable access markets for other airings around the state.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA’s Annual Report Wins Industry Award—The American Public Power Association (APPA) has given an Award of Merit to the Power Authority for its 2005 annual report. Entries were judged on quality of writing, design, photography, organization and creativity. The report marked the Power Authority’s 75th anniversary, and examined how NYPA’s efforts to promote new energy technologies such as fuel cells, clean transportation, solar power and hydrogen fuel may contribute to renewable, environmentally sound energy in the decades ahead. This is the fourth time the APPA has recognized the Power Authority’s annual report.