BUFFALO: Waterfront Revitalization Receives NYPA Boost— Top Western New York officials joined NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer Roger Kelley on Aug. 15 during the presentation of a ceremonial check for $2 million to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. (ECHDC). The check symbolized a second $2 million payment initiating a commitment NYPA has made to Western New York as part of the relicensing of its Niagara Power Project. Settlement agreements tied to the new 50-year license provide $279 million for revitalization projects along the Buffalo waterfront and the Niagara River Greenway in Erie County. Receiving the check were Chuck Rosenow, president, and Bill Collins, board member, of ECHDC, a subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corp. Among those participating in the presentation ceremony were Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, State Sen. William Stachowski, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Assemblyman Mark Schroeder, and Mark Boyd, chief of staff for State Sen. Antoine Thompson. Hoyt noted that NYPA’s funding is key to the waterfront’s success, saying that after years of study and planning, “we now have a resource to back up all those plans and visions.” The new license will be effective on Sept. 1, clearing the way for NYPA’s implementation of multiple settlement agreements with key stakeholders for Western New York benefits valued at $1 billion over the life of the 50-year license.

SYRACUSE: Energy Project Set for Hughes State Office Building— NYPA and the state Office of General Services (OGS) are coordinating resources on a $1.7 million energy-efficiency project that will yield annual savings of about $74,000. When the project is completed in 2008, the Hughes State Office Building will have an expanded energy management system to provide direct control of ventilation systems. Carbon dioxide sensors and automatic dampers will allow the upgraded control system to match the volume of air introduced into the building to occupancy requirements. Variable frequency drives will be installed on primary fans for more efficient transfer of air. OGS Commissioner John Egan praised the project, saying he hopes it will spur similar efforts in the private sector. “If we can do it in a building like this, and achieve savings and improved equipment, people can do it in their own homes and businesses,” Egan said. Responding to Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s energy goals, all state agencies are improving energy-efficiency practices and adopting sustainability concepts. The OGS facility houses regional offices of 23 state agencies and state legislators.

LEWISTON: Niagara Construction Veterans Hold Reunion— Fifty years ago this month President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation authorizing construction of the Niagara Power Project, and on Aug. 11 about 25 men who worked on the plant’s construction in the late ’50s returned for a tour and welcome from Power Authority officials. NYPA President Roger Kelley said that “while the proud legacy of these workers lives on today all around the project, I believe they will be interested in seeing what’s new. We’ve just completed a 15-year upgrade replacing or retrofitting almost all major components at the project’s main power plant.” Said Ken Glennon of AM General in South Bend, Ind., who organized the tour: “These are the same men who went on to construct the interstate highway system, and contributed to industrial expansion across America.”

NORTH BLENHEIM: NYPA Helps Fund Emergency Responders— The Power Authority has presented nine fire and rescue organizations in the Blenheim-Gilboa area with checks totaling $20,000, continuing NYPA’s annual contributions to area emergency groups. Allen Schriver, NYPA regional manager, Central New York, said the emergency organizations “are absolutely vital to the area,” adding that the funding is in appreciation of their help in protecting NYPA’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project and the communities where NYPA employees reside. Checks were distributed to the Middleburgh Fire Department, Middleburgh Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Conesville Fire Department, Conesville Rescue Squad, Jefferson Fire Department, Jefferson Rescue Squad, Grand Gorge Fire Department, Grand Gorge Rescue Squad and Blenheim Hose Company.

MASSENA: Hawkins Point is Site for Two Community Events— NYPA’s Hawkins Point Visitors Center at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project will be the focal point of the annual Dam 4-Miler Walk/Run on Sept. 8. The event will raise money for the Massena Nursery School. A minimum $20 donation is required upon registration, and the first 150 registrants are guaranteed free long-sleeve T-shirts. Runners take their mark at 10 a.m., followed by the walkers at 10:15 a.m.. On Aug. 25, the Massena Olde Car Club held an informal, day-long Classic Car “Cruise-In” at the Visitors Center, showcasing automobiles of the past and present. One of the cars on display was a NYPA hybrid-electric vehicle. Visitors at both events also enjoyed the array of interactive exhibits at the Visitors Center, as well as panoramic views of the power dam.

WHITE PLAINS: City Youth Bureau Sponsors Visit to NYPA— For the fourth year, city teenagers participating in a White Plains Youth Bureau program took time away from the beaches to take part in Career Days at the Power Authority’s White Plains office. Two groups of students toured the building in July and August, heard from five NYPA employees about “first job” experiences and were told about employment opportunities in the utility industry. They learned that an important part of a great career is hard work and diligence in school and were encouraged by NYPA President Roger Kelley to aim high and pursue their goals. The students met in the NYPA board room where they practiced displaying leadership skills, and later learned about electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The career program with NYPA is one of several summer programs for White Plains residents offered by the White Plains Youth Bureau.