WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Sponsors ‘Green’ Building Workshop—Representatives from city and state agencies gathered in early June at the Power Authority’s main office here for a NYPA-sponsored workshop on how to gain environmental certification for public buildings. The NYPA building is the first existing building in New York State to achieve the LEED® Gold-EB (existing building) designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The session also prepared attendees for a test to earn LEED accreditation so they can direct efforts to secure LEED certification for a building. NYPA previously held the LEED workshop at four locations around the state; combined attendance has been more than 200. LEED performance standards cover five key areas: sustainable site development, energy efficiency, water savings, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

UTICA: NYPA Travel Campaign Highlights Mohawk Attractions—The Power Authority is bringing its second annual summer travel campaign to the Mohawk Valley. Free packets with tourism brochures, energy-saving tips and summertime safety ideas are being distributed at prime locations, including the Gems Along The Mohawk Visitors Center off the New York State Thruway at Exit 30 and at the Rome Chamber of Commerce, with other locations pending. Each folder also contains a “can cooler” to keep soda or juice cool on steamy summer days. NYPA’s campaign, “More Cruisin’ Less Fuelin’…No Foolin’!” promotes tourism in New York State while easing the effects of high gasoline prices on travelers by encouraging them to visit the many “close by” attractions in the Utica area. The concept also reduces gasoline use, a prime Power Authority energy and environmental goal. In other parts of the state, the campaign suggests targeting one of NYPA’s three visitors centers, then branching out to see the many historic sites, state parks, campgrounds and other attractions nearby. 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 to conserve gasoline and fossil fuels, and clean the air. To view the summer travel campaign, go to www.nypa.gov.

LEWISTON: Travel Campaign Also Promotes Western New York—NYPA’s summer travel campaign also shows motorists in Western New York that they can counter high prices at the pump by driving less if they use NYPA’s “close-to-home” Niagara Power Project Visitors Center—the Power Vista—and nearby attractions as vacation destinations. In addition to its many hands-on exhibits on energy, the environment and local history, from July 2 to July 16 the Power Vista will feature an art exhibit by participants in the Health Association of Niagara County Inc. (HANCI). While there, pick up the free packet of information on nearby activities and energy-saving tips for a summer full of economical vacation and home energy ideas. Traveling later? The Power Vista is a perfect starting point for the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, scheduled for August 24-26. For more information, call the Power Vista at 716-286-6661 or 1-866-NYPAFUN. You can get an up-close look at a hybrid car at the Power Vista as NYPA also promotes use of hybrid electric vehicles as another way to conserve gasoline and to keep the air clean.

BROOKLYN: Agencies Urge Residents to ‘BE COOL’ in Summer—One of the “coolest” things residents of New York City and Westchester County can do this summer is to turn in their old, inefficient room air conditioners, replace them with ENERGY STAR® qualified models, and start saving electricity and reducing air pollution. As an added incentive, Con Edison is offering participating customers in these areas $35 (for a room unit) or $100 (for a through-the-wall unit) toward the purchase of a new, more-efficient model. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Power Authority kicked off the “BE COOL” Challenge last week in Brooklyn, which at that time led the competition with 565 air conditioners turned in. That number saves 88,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity and eliminates 96,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually through reduced need to generate electricity. The county with the highest percentage of participating residents will be honored as the “coolest.” ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners use 10 to 25 percent less energy than a conventional new model, or up to 40 percent less than a 10-year-old unit. Residents may bring their old units to an authorized drop-off site or retailer, and receive a mail-in application for the incentive.

NORTH BLENHEIM: Antique Merchandise, Autos on Display—Things old and older will be the order of the day July 15 at the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitors Center when the Power Authority sponsors two shows dealing with antiques. An “Antique Road Show” featuring “merchandise of the past” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appraisers will be present to estimate the value of two items for $5, and vendors are welcome. An Antique Auto Show and Flea Market with several hundred cars will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A 1911 Roadster and 1929 Packard will be on display, along with antique tractors and gas engines. Food vendors also will be on site. The Visitors Center is on Route 30 in North Blenheim. For more information, call 1-800-724-0309. WHITE PLAINS: Power Authority Annual Report Now Online— The Power Authority’s Annual Report for 2006 is now available for viewing online. The Annual Report details NYPA’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability, including improvements to its 17-story administrative office building here that won a national environmental award. The report also describes NYPA’s programs to expand environmental principles to its facilities statewide, and to help its customers and other governmental agencies to promote environmentalism in their own facilities. In addition, the Annual Report reviews major NYPA events for 2006, and contains the financial report. The Annual Report may be viewed by visiting www.nypa.gov.

UTICA: Power Authority Sponsors Annual Boilermaker Race— The Power Authority will help sponsor the 30th annual Boilermaker, a 15-kilometer foot race through Utica, on July 8.The event attracts runners from around the world and thousands of spectators, and pumps more than $1 million into the local economy. Included in the day’s activities are wheelchair (15k), walker (8k) and novice-runner (5k) contests.