LEWISTON: Niagara Hydro Project Gets New 50-Year License— NYPA’s Niagara Power Project, the largest electricity producer in New York State, has been issued a new 50-year license by federal regulators. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the new license on March 15. The decision is the culmination of a five-year relicensing process the Power Authority conducted with input from more than 100 stakeholders representing a wide array of Western New York interests, including residents, businesses, municipalities, environmental groups and Native Americans. FERC also approved a comprehensive settlement agreement between NYPA and the stakeholders that, together with the new license, will provide a variety of economic and environmental benefits to the Niagara Frontier while assuring continued production of low-cost hydroelectricity that is linked to some 43,000 local jobs. The new license takes effect with the expiration of the project’s original 50-year license on Aug. 31. Details on the license terms and settlement agreement can be found at: www.nypa.gov.

WHITE PLAINS: Tree Power Can Help Storm-Damaged Areas—In light of recent storms that destroyed or damaged thousands of trees in some communities, the Power Authority’s Tree Power Program has taken on added importance, President and CEO Timothy Carey said. For the past 15 years, NYPA has offered a buy-one-get-one-free tree program to encourage energy conservation. Water vapor released by trees can reduce air temperature as much as six degrees. When planted near homes, they can reduce air conditioning costs as much as 25 percent. Trees supply shade in the summer and act as windbreaks in cooler weather. Working with the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association, NYPA has already provided more than 37,000 trees to members of the state’s municipal and rural cooperative electric systems. This year, the need is especially great. In a letter to program participants, Carey wrote, “Snowstorms in Western New York and elsewhere have wiped away as much as 75 percent of the trees in some communities. That means we have to plant more.” He added, “And let’s not forget that trees also help prevent erosion, protect water supplies, create habitat for wildlife and clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.”

ALBANY: NYPA Biofuels Test Highlighted at Conference—High gasoline prices, environmental protection, national security, investor interest and governmental policies are all driving the growth of biofuels industries, according to the Environmental Business Association of New York. The Power Authority participated in a March 14 conference sponsored by the association that examined status, market opportunities, governmental mandates, production facilities and other issues surrounding biofuels. The Authority provided an exhibit for the conference, and NYPA power generation specialists made a presentation on the use of biodiesel fuel in utility plant power generation. NYPA last fall tested a biofuel made from soybean oil blended with conventional fuel oil to generate electricity at its Charles Poletti Power Project in Queens. The two-day test was the first such application at a large power plant, consuming 100,000 gallons of biofuel blended with 900,000 gallons of No. 6 fuel oil. Data on the resulting emissions and combustion effectiveness are being reviewed by NYPA and the Electric Power Research Institute.

WASHINGTON: NYPA Testifies on Impact of Invasive Species—The threat of zebra mussels and other non-indigenous aquatic species to power utilities and other industries in the Great Lakes region must be addressed, according to NYPA testimony presented to a Congressional subcommittee earlier this month. “The Power Authority considers the impact on its operations by aquatic invasive species, especially infestations by zebra mussels, to be critical to the continued economic operation of these facilities,” Environmental Operations Manager John Kahabka told members of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. NYPA has installed zebra mussel controls at its two major hydroelectric facilities within the Great Lakes Basin, its pumped storage facility in the northern Catskills and several small hydro facilities. Kahabka detailed NYPA measures to control zebra mussel growth since 1990, and cautioned: “By interfering with the maximum effective operations of power plants, zebra mussels can jeopardize the reliable supply of electricity. Continued federal and state funding of invasive monitoring and control programs, and research that augments these programs, is essential,” he said.

AMHERST: Hydropower Offered to Keep Firm in WNY—Power Authority trustees have approved an allocation of low-cost hydropower from NYPA’s Niagara Power Project as an incentive for a local manufacturer to stay and expand its operations in Erie County rather than relocate out of state. Moldtech, Inc. of Lancaster is considering an expansion to nearby Amherst, where it would add 25 new jobs to its current work force of nearly 50 employees while making $3.6 million in capital investment. Another option the rubber products manufacturer is considering is a relocation to Indiana. As an incentive for the firm to remain in Western New York, NYPA trustees approved a 400-kilowatt allocation of industrial hydropower for Moldtech, with input from the Western New York Advisory Group, which helps identify local companies that may be eligible for low-cost NYPA power. Formed in 2003, the advisory group consists of NYPA, National Grid, Empire State Development Corp., Buffalo Niagara Enterprise and the Niagara County Department of Economic Development. Since its formation, the group has played a role in NYPA allocations totaling some 100 megawatts for nearly 70 Western New York firms. Overall, Niagara hydropower is tied to approximately 43,000 jobs at 120 companies in the region.

ALBANY: NYPA Project Nets SUNY $105,000 in Energy Savings—An old hot water boiler on the campus of the State University of New York at Albany has received a new lease on life, one that will help the college save more than $105,000 on its annual heating costs, thanks to the Power Authority. The $1.4 million boiler repair is just the latest in a series of energy services projects that NYPA-managed crews have performed at SUNY Albany and other state-run campuses across New York in recent years. The Power Authority has completed energy-saving initiatives at more than 100 State University facilities, making improvements that will reduce oil consumption by more than 216,000 barrels a year. At SUNY Albany, a boiler nearing the end of its expected operational life was renovated through a variety of measures, including the installation of six miles of new tubing. The end result increases the boiler’s overall efficiency, lowers its fuel consumption and lessens the need for maintenance inspections. The tubing replacement project will pay for itself in about 10 years.