MARCY: Reliability Check Scheduled for NYPA Operations— The Power Authority has volunteered for a review by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) of NYPA’s ability to deliver electricity without interruption under emergency conditions. The December evaluation is part of a NERC-driven program established after the August 2003 blackout. The program independently reviews operations of all entities supporting the reliable operation of the bulk (wholesale) power system in North America, and determines their readiness to maintain safe and reliable operations. Evaluations identify areas of excellence and areas needing improvement. NERC representatives will evaluate operations at NYPA's Energy Control Center here, as well as in transmission planning, vegetation management, physical security, equipment maintenance, operational planning and protection units.

NORTH BLENHEIM: Project Upgrade Begins Second Phase— The Power Authority’s four-year, $135-million program to modernize and extend the life of the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project began its second phase in mid-September. The first phase began last fall and was completed in May. The plan calls for replacement of many major mechanical and electrical components of the project’s four pump-generating units. The program will allow the project to produce more power from the same amount of water and extend its record for reliable service for many decades to come. NYPA has closed the upper of two project reservoirs to all public recreational activities, including boating and shoreline fishing, to allow construction crews to mobilize.

LEWISTON: Hydropower Benefits Cited at Economic Forum— Participants in “Explore Buffalo Niagara 2007,” a regional economic development forum held at various local venues earlier this month, heard about the importance of low-cost hydropower to the local economy from NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer Roger Kelley. In his keynote address during a Sept. 14 breakfast at the Niagara Power Project Visitors Center, Kelley said Niagara hydropower can play a “critical and potentially decisive role” in the investment decisions of companies interested in locating or expanding their operations in Western New York. NYPA was the first sponsor for the “Explore Buffalo Niagara” conference, and Kelley emphasized the Power Authority’s historic commitment to economic development along the Niagara Frontier. Niagara hydropower helps support more than 44,000 jobs at about 125 Western New York companies, and an additional 77 megawatts is now available for new allocations in the region through a streamlined review process. Recent developments, including a new 50-year operating license for the Niagara project and completion of a $298 million upgrade at its main generating facility, further illustrate the benefits NYPA provides to Western New York, Kelley said.

PLATTSBURGH: NYPA Refrigerator Program Expands Upstate—The Power Authority’s successful, energy-conserving refrigerator replacement program has been expanded to three communities in Upstate New York. On Sept. 12, officials of the City of Plattsburgh joined the Power Authority in announcing the installation of more than 400 Energy Star® refrigerators in senior and other public housing units. Smaller-scale projects were completed in the villages of Lake Placid and Tupper Lake earlier this year. The new refrigerators use about one-half less energy than the older appliances. The three communities are served by municipal electric systems that receive allocations of NYPA hydropower to meet most of their energy needs. The Power Authority offers special programs and services to help the state’s 47 municipal electric and four rural cooperative systems conserve electricity. To mark completion of the Plattsburgh program, John Hamor, NYPA’s executive director for state government affairs, joined Don Kasprzak, mayor; John Brown, Plattsburgh Municipal Lighting Department manager; and Patricia Lucia, Plattsburgh Municipal Housing Authority executive director, at Lakeview Towers, one of the residences participating in the refrigerator replacement program. Since 1995, NYPA has replaced more than 186,000 refrigerators in public housing units in New York City and Buffalo, saving taxpayers more than $7 million annually in electricity costs.

CHEEKTOWAGA: Western New Yorker Gets NYPA Energy Post—Jim Bejarano, a resident of the Town of Cheektowaga, has been promoted to program manager of the Power Authority’s Statewide Energy Services Program. Bejarano, a 12-year NYPA veteran, most recently held the position of lead project engineer for implementing numerous energy-efficient lighting and mechanical energy conservation projects across Western and Central New York. Bejarano will continue to work out of NYPA’s Niagara Power Project in Lewiston, where additional staff will be added to serve the growing number of energy services projects in the region. Last year he was involved in the design and procurement of new energy-efficient light fixtures for the Niagara River rapids just above Niagara Falls.