WESTERN NEW YORK: Forum to Focus on Regional Economy—The Power Authority is a lead sponsor for a new economic development forum planned for Sept. 12-14. NYPA recently donated $50,000 to help kick-start “Explore Buffalo Niagara 2007…An Economic Development Secret to Discover.” It is the first step in a strategic effort to advance the Western New York region by inviting businesses to expand or relocate in Erie or Niagara counties. Forum participants, expected to include executive managers from around the nation and world, will receive customized, industry-specific agendas during the three-day event, which will take place at various locations in the two counties. It will feature site tours of successful companies, panel discussions on economic issues and meetings with local business leaders. The availability of low-cost hydropower from NYPA’s Niagara Power Project for eligible enterprises will be highlighted as well. More information is available at: www.explorebuffaloniagara.com.

MASSENA: Wood Pellet Plant Gets Boost From Power Authority— A planned wood pellet manufacturing facility at Massena Industrial Park, which will create 23 jobs, has received an allocation of low-cost Power Authority electricity through the Massena Electric Department. NYPA trustees approved an allocation of 1,840 kilowatts for Curran Renewable Energy, which had considered locating in Canada but now plans to purchase two buildings in the industrial park and make $10 million in capital expenditures. The plant, which could be in operation by year’s end, is expected to produce 100,000 tons of wood pellets annually for wood stoves and other heating sources, a growing market in Northern New York.

WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Names New Chief Technology Officer—Richard Hackman, a 30-year veteran of the electric utility industry, has been named chief technology development officer for the Power Authority. He is responsible for formulating, developing and implementing innovative and new technology solutions for NYPA’s generating and transmission facilities and for various customers. Hackman replaces Shalom Zelingher, who died in January and had been a leading figure in the electric power industry. Hackman previously was a program manager in NYPA’s Energy Services and Technology business unit. He recently led a team that secured a national environmental award for the Power Authority’s administrative office building here, and serves on the Electric Power Research Institute’s Research Advisory Council.

QUEENS: Airport Electric Vehicle Project Wins EPA Award— Delta Air Lines is among 16 “environmental achievers” that were honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in April for outstanding efforts to protect the environment, in a project facilitated and financed by the Power Authority. The airline replaced its fleet of 15 traditional ground support vehicles with electric counterparts at the Marine Air Terminal at La Guardia Airport—seven electric baggage carriers, six electric belt loaders and two electric aircraft tractors. Delta also installed a computer-controlled rapid battery charging system. The changes result in a 98 percent annual reduction of emissions, removing 19.2 tons of harmful pollutants from the atmosphere each year, and avoid the use of more than 61,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year. The Power Authority is currently working on similar projects at three other airports.

LEWISTON: NYPA Hosts Honors for Gift of Life Donors— Close to 200 organ and tissue donor family members gathered at the Power Authority’s Power Vista in April to honor the memories of Niagara County residents who gave the Gift of Life in 2006. Niagara Power Project families were among those honored. Upstate New York Transplant Services conducted the ceremonies. Headquartered in Buffalo, UNYTS is one of the few centers nationwide and the only one in New York State to house laboratory services and organ, tissue and eye procurement in one location. The non-profit agency serves eight Western New York counties, helping donor families, coordinating the donation process and increasing awareness within the community.

HOLTSVILLE: Long Island Power Plant to Get Overhaul— NYPA trustees have allocated more than $8.6 million for a major overhaul this year of the Power Authority’s Richard M. Flynn Power Plant here. The 135-megawatt, highly efficient and clean natural gas-fueled plant recorded a milestone in 2005 when it became the first model of its kind to reach 100,000 operating hours. The funding will facilitate work on the project’s gas and steam turbines and other components, as part of a life extension program for the 13-year-old facility.

WHITE PLAINS: Engineer Honored for Biofuel Advance— Bill Louer, a Power Authority research and technology development engineer, has been recognized by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for leading a team that last fall conducted the nation’s largest use of biofuel and the first test to be done by a major electric utility plant. Louer received a 2006 Technology Transfer award from EPRI for directing the testing of soybean-derived biofuel at NYPA’s Charles Poletti Power Project in Queens. The test involved using 100,000 gallons of biofuel blended with 900,000 gallons of No. 6 fuel oil to fire the plant’s generators. Results showed efficiency gains from the mixed fuel along with significant emission reductions. Biofuel is expected to reduce the nation’s reliance on imported oil and contribute to improved air quality through a reduction in a variety of pollutants. Louer expects to direct further testing at the Poletti project later this year.