HERE AND THERE: NYPA Launches Summer Travel Campaign—The Power Authority will kick off its second summer travel campaign on Memorial Day to encourage motorists to drive less on their trips by using NYPA’s “close-to-home” power project visitors centers and nearby attractions as vacation destinations. The campaign, “More Cruisin’ Less Fuelin’…No Foolin’!” promotes tourism in New York State while easing the effects of high gasoline prices on travelers. It is also designed to reduce consumption of gasoline, a prime Power Authority energy and environmental goal. The campaign suggests targeting NYPA’s three visitors centers, then branching out to see the many historic sites, state parks, campgrounds and other attractions that are in close proximity. Each visitors center offers free packets of information on nearby activities, as well as energy-saving tips. A new feature this year will be “green” information for making homes and businesses more environmentally friendly. The three visitors centers are at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston (716-286-6661 or 1-866-NYPAFUN); the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena (1-800-262-NYPA); and the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County (1-800-724-0309). The visitors centers themselves offer a variety of hands-on exhibits on energy, the environment and local history—fun for the entire family. The Power Authority also promotes use of electric vehicles as another way to conserve gasoline and fossil fuels, and clean the air. To view the Campaign go to www.nypa.gov.

TARRYTOWN: Power Authority Gets ‘Green Building’ Award— The Power Authority’s office building in White Plains was among Westchester County commercial buildings honored by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) here on May 10. The Clarence D. Rappleyea Building at 123 Main Street earned BOMA’s “Best Green Building” award for an array of energy-saving and environmentally sensitive upgrades made to the 17-story structure. President Timothy Carey accepted the award on behalf of the Power Authority. Constructed in the early 1980s, the building has a 30-kilowatt microturbine and 5.5-kilowatt rooftop solar system to reduce its demand for energy. Among other improvements are a new cooling plant, sun-shielding window film, lighting upgrades, an energy management system, an expanded recycling program, rooftop fans to contribute to fresh air flow, and water-saving features. The building was New York State’s first existing structure to receive the Gold award from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

BUFFALO: Power Allocations Help Two Companies Expand— Two Western New York companies will invest more than $6 million and create 33 jobs with the help of low-cost power allocations from the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project. The companies are Moldtech, which manufactures injection-molded rubber products at a plant in Lancaster, and ISOCHEM, which produces industrial chemicals at a Lockport facility. Moldtech will double its capacity of injection molding machines with the 250-kilowatt (kw) allocation and add 30 jobs to its work force of 45. The company has grown significantly over the past two years. The 300-kw for ISOCHEM, which now employs 93 workers, will support three new jobs and capital investment of nearly $2 million for new processing equipment.

LEWISTON: Power Authority Renews Jazz Festival Support— The Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival will again have the Power Authority as its primary sponsor when the sixth annual event gets under way Aug. 24 for a three-day gig. NYPA, the event’s founding sponsor, has renewed its commitment and will provide $70,000 for the 2007 festival, presented by the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce and the Village and Town of Lewiston. The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors, and in 2006 alone had an economic impact of nearly $1 million. “Our objective was to provide an economic boost for the community, and all indications are that we have succeeded,” said NYPA President and CEO Timothy Carey.

SARANAC LAKE: Train Depot Gets Energy-Efficiency Upgrade—The former Union Depot and Railway Express Agency building here, owned by the state Department of Transportation, will reduce its energy consumption after energy-efficiency work performed through a program administered by the Power Authority. The building, leased by the Village of Saranac Lake, will receive programmable thermostats, new thermal-pane windows and a new, efficient forced-air furnace with ductwork as a result of a NYPA energy audit. The project is funded through an $8,000 grant from the Petroleum Overcharge Restitution Fund. In recent years, Union Depot has been home to the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, a seasonal tourist attraction.

NORTH BLENHEIM: Lansing Manor Reopens for Summer—Historic Lansing Manor has reopened for the summer tourism season. This year marks the Manor House’s 30th anniversary as an admission-free museum operated by the Power Authority in cooperation with the Schoharie County Historical Society. The anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday, June 16, in a program that will include a vintage 19th-century “base ball” game as well as other festivities. Lansing Manor is on the grounds of the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project on Route 30 here. For more information call 1-800-724-0309.

ASTORIA: NYPA Supports Annual Children’s Bicycle Race—Youngsters from throughout Queens were expected to participate in this year’s Novice Children’s Bicycle Race on May 20, sponsored by the Astoria Civic Association with support from the Power Authority. Now in its 27th year, the competition has attracted more than 200 cyclists for past races, held along Shore Boulevard in Astoria Park. Distances range from 50 yards for children 4 and younger to a half-mile for older kids. Cyclists up to 11 years of age are invited to participate, with trophies going to the top five finishers in each class, and medals and tee shirts to all participants.

LEWISTON: NYPA Facility Now Has Year-Round Access— Community groups and visitors now can enjoy use of the 4,250-square-foot Community Room at the Power Vista on the grounds of NYPA’s Niagara Power Project any time of the year. Recent energy efficient upgrades that included the installation of a high-efficiency heating and air conditioning system, windows and doors will make the room cool in summer and toasty in winter, for use yera-round. Organizations such as Leadership Niagara, Niagara University, the Health Association of Niagara County Inc. and the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs are just some groups that have held events at the facility, which can comfortably accommodate 200 to 300 guests and has plenty of free parking. The Community Room, which is handicapped accessible, is also available for tour and school groups. Weather permitting, guests can also use an adjoining large outdoor patio overlooking the lower Niagara River and Gorge. For more information call the Power Vista at 716-286-6661.