WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Notes To Discontinue Printed Publication—This is the final printed edition of NYPA Notes. Starting with the Jan. 13 issue, the Power Authority will no longer distribute printed copies, but will instead limit publication of the biweekly newsletter to an electronic version that will be available either through e-mail or via the NYPA website. As part of ongoing efforts to promote the website, www.nypa.gov , and to advance environmental responsibility, NYPA is reducing the amount of printed materials it produces, and is using recycled paper products whenever possible. Currently, NYPA Notes has approximately 2,000 subscribers statewide, including media outlets and individuals who are interested in Power Authority operations. To continue receiving NYPA Notes, subscribers should send their e-mail addresses to info@nypa.gov . Those who have already sent in their e-mail addresses do not need to send them again.

HOLTSVILLE: Major Overhaul Completed at Flynn Plant— The Power Authority staff has completed a major overhaul at NYPA’s Richard M. Flynn Power Plant, ensuring that the 150-MW facility will continue operating as one of Long Island’s most efficient power producers. As part of the five-week Life-Extension outage, the plant’s original gas turbine was overhauled as were many other key components in the combined-cycle facility, which runs primarily on natural gas, with low-sulfur oil as a backup fuel. Normally expected to last for 100,000 hours, the gas turbine actually logged in 125,000 hours before its Life Extension overhaul, a job that started in early October. The gas turbine is now qualified for another 100,000-hour life. The Flynn plant began commercial operation in 1994 to provide electricity to customers of the Long Island Lighting Co., predecessor to the Long Island Power Authority. Since 2001, Flynn plant staff members have also been responsible for NYPA’s small clean power plant in Brentwood, also built to meet the growing need for electricity on Long Island. Both facilities have met their availability requirements more than 95 percent of the time, and there were no interruptions of Brentwood service during the Flynn plant outage.

MASSENA: Annual Relicensing Payment Made in North Country—Communities and school districts within the boundary of NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project have received the latest annual payment of $2 million in connection with the hydropower project’s relicensing. Since the new federal license was received in 2003, NYPA has fulfilled its annual commitment to communities and school districts involved with the relicensing. Payments are made each year from a Community Enhancement Fund established by NYPA to the towns of Louisville, Massena and Waddington; the villages of Massena and Waddington; the Massena and Madrid-Waddington school districts; and St. Lawrence County. The funding, made available this year on Nov. 30, will continue throughout the 50-year term of the new license. Other relicensing-related benefits being provided by NYPA to the North Country include major improvements to state and local parks and the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area; the return of lands, not required for hydropower operations, to local communities and residents; fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects; environmental research; and shoreline erosion control measures.

QUEENS: Natural Gas Assured for NYPA’s Astoria Plant— Three contracts, approved by Power Authority trustees late in November, will assure reliable and economical supplies of natural gas for NYPA’s 500-megawatt power plant in Astoria. Colonial Energy, UBS Energy LLC and Virginia Power Energy Marketing will provide the fuel for a two-year period starting Jan.1, 2008. The contracts, equaling 35,000 MMBtu (35 billion British thermal units) per day, will cover about half of the gas requirements of the Queens plant, which NYPA placed in commercial operation in December 2005. The other half will be satisfied through short-term, spot-market purchases as part of a balanced supply portfolio. The three companies will be responsible for transporting the natural gas from the Texas Louisiana region via an interstate pipeline network connecting with a local pipeline system operated by Con Edison. The Astoria plant uses combined-cycle technology for capturing heat normally lost in the production of electricity. Natural gas powers two turbine generators to produce power; the resulting hot gases are then harnessed to create steam to drive a third turbine generator. The facility, equipped with the most advanced emission controls, is located on a 47-acre East River site shared by NYPA’s Charles Poletti Power Project.

LEWISTON: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Gets NYPA Money— The Power Authority is making a payment of $485,389 to the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper as part of a settlement agreement related to NYPA’s receipt of a new 50-year federal license for the Niagara Power Project. The funds will be used by the local environmental organization to hire staff and assist NYPA with the implementation of habitat improvement projects in the area of the Niagara River Basin. “The Niagara River is a major environmental, economic and recreational asset of Western New York,” Roger Kelley, NYPA president and chief executive officer, said. “We commend the work of the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper in protecting this vital resource and are pleased to support these efforts.” The Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper was established to protect and enhance the natural and historical environments of the Niagara River Basin and the surrounding areas for the benefit of the local community. The one-time payment is part of the financial support and other benefits that NYPA will provide in Western New York over the term of the Niagara project’s new license under various settlement agreements.

GILBOA: NYPA Computers to Benefit Central School District— Four refurbished computers, donated by the Power Authority under the state’s Computer Recycling for Education and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) program, will support education programs at the Gilboa-Conesville Central School District. The district enrolls some 400 students in grades kindergarten through 12 in a single Northern Catskills facility. NYPA donates surplus computers to schools throughout the state under the CREATE program and has reconditioned some 500 machines since 2002. Reconditioning includes thorough cleaning of the equipment, replacement of broken or missing parts and installation of a new operating system and at least 128 megabytes of memory. The donation was announced by Assemblyman Peter Lopez.

NORTH BLENHEIM: Evergreens in Holiday Bloom for Festival—More than 15 evergreen trees are decorated in a variety of holiday themes during the fifth annual Festival of Trees now through Jan. 2 at the admission-free visitors center at the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project. Several groups, including Jefferson Seniors, Stamford Historical Society, Summit Seniors, Summit Red Hat Society, Jefferson Central School, Roxbury Central School and Gilboa-Conesville Central School District, are participating in the tree decorating. Tinsel and lights are abundantly evident. NYPA staff members are on hand to dispense energy tips for the holidays. The visitors center, which features numerous hands-on exhibits on electricity, is located in a restored 19th-century dairy barn on Route 30, 17 miles south of Middleburgh. School groups and community organizations are welcome. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the festival except for Dec. 24 and 25 and Dec. 31 and New Year’s Day. For more information, call 1-800-724-0309.