ALBANY: Governor Signs Bill Extending Power for Jobs— Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed legislation continuing two NYPA-administered power programs linked to creating or retaining about 375,000 jobs across the state. The legislation extended the decade-old Power for Jobs program, and a second Power Authority initiative, the Energy Cost Saving Benefits (ECSB) program, for another year. (ECSB applies to NYPA’s economic development, high-load factor and municipal distribution agency power programs for qualified businesses.) Each was set to expire on June 30. Power for Jobs authorizes NYPA to allocate up to 483 megawatts of power to participating businesses. Participants receive benefits either through a cash rebate from NYPA to offset their electricity costs or through a 1.7-cent-per-kilowatt-hour discount on utility delivery rates. Utilities are reimbursed for lost revenue through state tax credits. “These programs provide a springboard to job growth…While I support the extension…for another year, I believe we must advance a comprehensive long-term energy agenda to address the state’s very real energy challenges,” the governor said.

NEW YORK CITY: Authority Official Gets Diversity Award— The National Minority Business Council has recognized NYPA’s vice president of procurement and real estate for more than 20 years of support for minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs). John Hoff received the award at the Council’s 35th anniversary celebration in Manhattan on July 17. Other honorees were Donald Monks, vice chairman of The Bank of New York, and Stephen Dannhauser, chairman of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Besides pursuing its own contracts with M/WBEs, NYPA hosts an annual supplier diversity purchasing exchange that provides networking opportunities between eligible businesses and representatives of public and private entities. Since 1983, the Power Authority has conducted almost half a billion dollars in business with M/WBEs. All of New York’s state agencies have been required to meet supplier diversity goals as a result of a 1988 law.

NIAGARA: NYPA Becomes Headline Sponsor for Fishing Derby— Power Authority President and CEO Roger Kelley presented a $5,000 contribution to make NYPA the Headline Sponsor of the New York Power Authority/Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby set for Sept. 15-23 on the Niagara River. The donation is in keeping with NYPA’s continuing support for the derby over the past several years. Joining Kelley in the contribution ceremony on the NYPA fishing platform at the Niagara Power Project in July were John Percy and Bill Hilts Jr. of the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation and Horace Horton, NYPA regional manager, Western New York. The derby winners will be announced Sept. 23 during the NYPA Wildlife Festival at the project’s Visitors Center, the Power Vista.

MASSENA: ‘Power Dam Jam’ Set for Aug. 11 at Hawkins Point— The second annual St. Lawrence River Power Dam Jam will be held Aug. 11 at the Power Authority’s Hawkins Point Visitors Center, sponsored by NYPA and the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce. The event, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., includes free admission to a variety of family-fun activities, including traditional and acoustic music; a concert by the Glengarry Bhoys at 6 p.m.; arts and crafts; food; face painting; bounce houses and an inflatable rock climbing wall; horse, wagon and boat rides; and tours of the NYPA Visitors Center. The event is co-sponsored by Alcoa, SeaComm Federal Credit Union and 1340 WMSA. The Dam Jam is a revival of the Festival of North Country Folklife, which NYPA co-sponsored for more than 20 years.

WESTCHESTER/BRONX: NYPA Promotes Gas-Saving Travel—The Power Authority is encouraging motorists in the area to save gasoline by driving less on their vacation trips this summer, visiting “close to home” destinations. NYPA has many tips on local attractions listed in free, limited edition information packets available at area summer events where NYPA participates—including the Peekskill Celebration on Aug. 4. The packets also feature a wide range of energy-saving tips for homes and businesses. The packets are part of NYPA’s summer campaign, “More Cruisin’ Less Fuelin’…No Foolin’!” to promote tourism in New York State while easing the effects of high gasoline prices on travelers. To receive a packet by mail, while supplies last, please send your complete mailing address to info@nypa.gov. The campaign also highlights visitors centers at NYPA power projects in other parts of the state as destinations for residents in those regions. These projects include the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County, the Niagara Power Project near Niagara Falls and the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena.

BRONX: BE COOL Challenge Features Bronx and Manhattan—The Bronx and Manhattan have taken on the BE COOL Challenge to be the “coolest” part of the New York metropolitan area while conserving electricity and reducing air pollution. By mid-July, each borough had recorded about 300 air conditioners turned in by residents and replaced by energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® qualified systems. In each borough, that added up to an annual savings of more than 35,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, and avoided emissions of 38,000 pounds of air pollutants from generating plants. Events were held in both boroughs in mid-July to spark interest in the BE COOL Challenge, which includes all of New York City and Westchester County. ENERGY STAR® qualified systems use 10 to 25 percent less energy than new, standard models and up to 40 percent less than 10-year-old air conditioners. Participants may earn cash rewards with each purchase. The winner of the BE COOL Challenge will be the county with the highest percentage of participating residents. The program is sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York Power Authority and Con Edison. For more information, visit http://www.getenergysmart.org/BeCoolMap.aspx.