ALBANY: Delta Introduces Electric Support Vehicles at Airport— A “positive step to utilize clean, safe and economical electric- and natural gas-powered vehicles at Albany International Airport” was announced Feb. 7 by Airport Chairman David Langdon during ceremonies launching a fleet of electric vehicles that will haul baggage and cargo for Delta Air Lines’ flights at the airport. NYPA President and CEO Roger Kelley said the vehicles “reduce the use of diesel fuel, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions.” Projections indicate a reduction of greenhouse gases by nearly 400 tons per year or 87 percent, compared with diesel fuel use, and annual cost savings of about 75 percent. The fleet includes six baggage tractors and three belt loaders, purchased by Delta, and a 10-vehicle electric rapid-charging station installed through a $190,000 NYPA grant. “Delta is pleased the Albany International Airport and the Power Authority were able to bring this to our Albany station,” said Fred Acunto, station manager for Delta. “This program will help to expand upon our sustainable business practices and achieve significant operational and environmental benefits.”

WHITE PLAINS: Electric Vehicle Report Summarizes Success— The number of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles placed in service by the Power Authority stood at 980 at the end of 2007, with about half of them currently in use, according to a year-end report. The vehicles have covered a total of 8.6 million miles and are in use in 34 of New York State’s 62 counties. Last year alone, the vehicles traveled in excess of 2 million miles, reflecting an increased use of hybrid vehicles in NYPA’s fleet and those of the Authority’s customers. In most instances, the all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles replace conventional vehicles, reducing harmful air emissions and dependence on foreign oil.

LEWISTON: State Uses Power Vista to Announce Lake Project— NYPA’s Power Vista, the admission-free visitors center at the Niagara Power Project, was chosen by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) last month as a site to announce plans to restore the fisheries of Lake Ontario and its tributaries. The revitalization effort announced by DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis will be funded with money from the 2006 settlement of a lawsuit against Occidental Chemical Corp. involving pollution that affected sport fishing in Lake Ontario and the Niagara and St. Lawrence rivers. The $12 million resolution is one of the largest in the nation for a natural resources damages claim based on recreational fishing losses. In addition to numerous projects with lake-wide benefits, 10 projects are planned in Niagara County, including improvements to the Niagara Falls Aquarium and several public access sites along the Niagara River.

NIAGARA FALLS: Computer Donation Boosts Student Program—The Power Authority has donated four surplus computers to the Niagara Falls Housing Authority’s Packard Court Community Center for its before- and after-school programs. State Sen. Antoine Thompson requested the donation, and helped present the computers to students during a Feb. 8 visit to the community center. The facility offers a universal pre-kindergarten program free of charge through a grant provided by the Niagara Falls Board of Education. It also offers after-school “I Can Read” and homework assistance programs for students between the ages of 5 and 18. The Power Authority uses about 1,700 computers in its normal operations and replaces about 400 to 500 computers each year. The surplus equipment is thoroughly cleaned and provided with a minimum of 64 megabytes of memory. The computers are tested with a new operating system and missing or broken parts are replaced.

MASSENA: Four Municipalities Reach Recreational Agreements— NYPA has entered into agreements with four municipalities for continued operation and maintenance of recreational facilities near its St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project. “Each year, NYPA-owned recreational facilities like the Massena Town Beach, the Waddington Town Beach and Whalen Park in Louisville are used by thousands of local residents and tourists visiting the region,” NYPA President and CEO Roger Kelley said. “The operation and maintenance agreements with local municipalities will ensure that the facilities continue to provide quality recreational opportunities for years to come.” Kelley noted the Power Authority undertook nearly $8 million in improvements to the recreational facilities, as provided for under the federal relicensing of the St. Lawrence-FDR project in 2003. The new agreements are with the towns of Massena, Louisville and Waddington and the village of Waddington. NYPA had provided lump-sum annual payments to the municipalities since 1991 for this purpose. The newly negotiated agreements will allow the communities to be reimbursed for their actual costs, with NYPA expecting to provide more than $300,000 a year.