WHITE PLAINS: Energy-Efficiency Investments Top $1 Billion—The Power Authority’s leadership in energy-efficiency and clean-energy initiatives reached a milestone in September, with more than $1 billion of total investment made over two decades toward nearly 1,500 projects across the state. NYPA’s energy-efficiency programs have led to reductions in oil use of 1.8 million barrels a year and avoidance of more than 750,000 tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions. Annual energy bill savings come to more than $95 million, representing a reduction in peak electricity use of some 200,400 kilowatts, or enough electricity to power about 160,000 homes. NYPA has financed most of the energy-efficiency and clean-energy projects from its own funds, recovering its costs over periods that generally run less than 10 years. Customers—typically public facilities such as schools, police precincts, fire stations, hospitals, museums, libraries and municipal buildings—keep all energy bill savings once the projects are paid off.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Launches $21 Million Hydrogen Project—The Power Authority will establish one of the world’s largest hydrogen demonstration projects, in Western New York, for harnessing hydropower to produce clean-burning, carbon-free hydrogen to fuel non-polluting vehicles. NYPA trustees on Sept. 26 approved up to $21 million for an initiative that will use low-cost power from the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston to produce hydrogen through electrolysis of water. Within three years the demonstration project, consisting of two hydrogen generation stations plus storage and fueling facilities, will produce up to 120 kilograms (kg) per day of fuel. (One kg of hydrogen has the energy equivalent of about one gallon of gasoline.) The stations will use up to 700 kilowatts of hydropower. Potential locations include Niagara Falls State Park and a site operated by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). The fuel would be used by fleets of fuel-cell-powered vehicles operated by the park and by NFTA in the Buffalo/Niagara region. NYPA selected the Western New York location because of proximity to Niagara hydropower, and to a skilled work force and state universities. NYPA officials said the hydrogen project, which also will involve other hydrogen engines, may help establish advanced technology parks in the region that could serve as business incubators and help create new high-tech jobs.

NORTH TONAWANDA: Power Allocation Helps Create Jobs— An allocation of low-cost hydropower from the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project will be used to create 15 jobs at a new $2 million manufacturing facility to be built by Silver Eagle Technology Inc. The 600 kilowatts of power will be used for converting used carbide tools and parts into tungsten carbide and cobalt powders for manufacturers in the United States and Europe. Electricity is expected to account for more than one-third of the production cost. The plant is expected to begin operating in September 2007. The power allocation will be from a block of Niagara power called replacement power which, combined with another block of industrial power from Niagara, helps to protect nearly 44,000 jobs at about 120 Western New York companies.

SYRACUSE: NYPA Chief: Environment, Economy Compatible— Energy, environmental and economic goals can be compatible and should be pursued as part of a concerted effort involving government and the private sector, Power Authority President Timothy Carey said during a panel discussion held as part of this year’s Empire Energy & Environmental Exposition on Sept. 25. Speaking to an audience of energy professionals and business and government leaders, Carey described various Power Authority programs that promote energy efficiency, new energy technologies and clean transportation. “We’ve worked with hundreds of manufacturers, contractors and other vendors on these projects,” Carey said. “The economic benefits are clear—along with those directly related to energy and the environment.” A Power Authority exhibit at the Exposition highlighted several “green” initiatives and new energy solutions that NYPA is implementing to bring New York State “toward a sustainable future.” To learn more about these initiatives or to read excerpts from Carey’s presentation, visit: www.nypa.gov.

WHITE PLAINS: Carey Named to Green Building Council Board—NYPA President Timothy Carey has been appointed to the 2007 Board of Directors of the United States Green Building Council, which encourages development of buildings that are environmentally responsible, healthy places to live and work and profitable to build and operate. Carey previously was president of the Battery Park City Authority in Manhattan, playing a leading role in construction of The Solaire, the nation’s first high-rise built under environmental guidelines. Under Carey’s direction, the Power Authority is now applying for an environmental certification from the USGBC for its 17-story office building here. At both authorities, “Under Governor George Pataki’s guidance, I have been given tremendous opportunities to show that good environmental practices mean good business,” Carey said. The USGBC is “an organization whose commitment to environmentally sustainable development I deeply share.”

MASSENA: Village, Utility Cited for Roles in NYPA Tree Program—The Village of Massena and the Massena Electric Department (MED) have been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation for their participation in a Power Authority program that encourages the planting of trees. Massena is one of only 60 communities nationwide to have this dual designation, the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The NYPA program, called Tree Power, allows municipal electric systems in the state to get a free tree for each one they purchase on their own. This year the MED took delivery of 200 trees. According to the Foundation, also receiving recognition in New York State were municipal electric systems in Bath, Fairport, Jamestown, Rockville Centre, Skaneateles and Wellsville. Data has shown that planting trees near homes and commercial buildings can reduce temperatures by as much as six degrees during the summer, decreasing use of power for air conditioning and dropping cooling costs by up to 25 percent, while beautifying an area. In winter, trees serve as windbreaks against cold, and can cut heating bills by a third. Trees also help prevent erosion, protect water supplies, create habitat for wildlife and clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Since Tree Power took root 14 years ago, NYPA’s municipal and rural cooperative customers have planted nearly 38,000maples, honey locusts, Norway spruce and other types of trees.