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| Week of May 18, 2008 |
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ROME: Energy Efficiency Improves Water Filtration Plant— An
energy-efficiency project at the City of Rome Water Filtration Plant will
save taxpayers more than $11,000 a year in energy costs and reduce carbon
emissions by 71 tons annually through reduced electricity demand. The
$235,000 upgrade, which included new heat pumps and a new radiant heating
system, entailed replacement of a gas furnace and air distribution equipment
that caused heat losses and uneven heating. The filtration plant processes 9
million to 16 million gallons of water per day. NYPA provided about $160,000
in financing, with the remaining $75,000 cost of the project paid for from
grant money the Power Authority administers for New York State. NYPA will
recover its financing costs over a 10-year period, after which the city will
keep all of the energy savings. WHITE PLAINS: Power Authority Joins Climate Registry— The Power Authority has announced steps to help protect the environment, conserve energy and raise public awareness throughout the state regarding energy issues. To advance its commitment to environmental sustainability, NYPA has become a Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry, a non-profit organization that measures and publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions. NYPA will continue to expand its efforts to measure and manage its “carbon footprint,” using procedures established by the Registry. The Power Authority also launched a webpage describing its many environmentally friendly efforts, including sponsorship of Earth Day celebrations at its power project visitors centers and participation in such events in nine communities; “Envirothon” competitions for students; and NYPA’s recent energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. NYPA is committed to advancing Gov. David Paterson’s “15 by 15” energy policy to reduce electricity use statewide by 15 percent from forecasted levels by 2015, and will dedicate $1.4 billion to the effort. WHITE PLAINS: NYPA Receives First-Place Safety Award— For the seventh time in 10 years, NYPA has earned the American Public Power Association’s top Electric Utility Safety Award for safe operating practices, placing first in its category in 2007. Categories are determined by numbers of employees, and the award is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses. “The safety of NYPA employees is a top priority, and this reward reflects our commitment to safe operating practices,” said Roger Kelley, NYPA president and CEO. NORTH BLENHEIM: Mock Battle Commemorates Revolution— A re-enactment of the Battle of Cobleskill will take place at the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitors Center on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, to commemorate the Revolutionary War battle’s 230th anniversary. The re-enactment will include forces of the Crown (British) and Congress (American) engaged in Revolutionary War battle tactics near and around Lansing Manor, a restored 19th-century estate on the Visitors Center grounds. A “Committee of Safety” meeting will provide a glimpse of the politics of the day, and a surgeon will tend to the wounded. Camp life for the Loyalist and American troops will be depicted, with a camp laundry open on Saturday and cooking and craft demonstrations throughout the weekend. Entertainment will include a dance Saturday evening and an 18th-century cricket game on Sunday. The estimated 250 to 300 individuals participating in the re-enactment will be clad in period-appropriate clothing, representing the Loyalists, British Regulars, American Continental soldiers and civilians. For more information call the Visitors Center at 800-724-0309. SYRACUSE: Hearing on Hydropower Contracts Set for June 4— A public hearing has been scheduled for June 4 here on proposed 18-month contract extensions for the sale of low-cost hydropower from the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project in Lewiston and its St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena to National Grid, New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric. Under the extensions, NYPA would continue to provide the upstate utilities with 455 megawatts (mw) of firm power and 360 mw of firm peaking power through 2009 for resale to their residential and rural customers without profit. Following the hearing, agreements will be submitted to Gov. David Paterson for his consideration. The current contracts expire on June 30. Firm power is defined as power available at all times, while firm peaking power is used during hours of greatest demand. The power is among the lowest-cost in the country. The hearing will be at 10:30 a.m. at Syracuse City Hall, 233 East Washington St. Copies of the proposed agreements are available at www.nypa.gov. NORTH BLENHEIM: NYPA Visitors Center Rated in ‘Top 25’—The admission-free Visitors Center at NYPA’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project has been ranked 13th on the Capital District Business Review’s Top 25 Tourism and Attractions List for 2007. With figures showing that more than 42,000 people visited during the past year, the center is listed along with much larger public facilities, including the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, the New York State Museum in Albany and Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady. The Visitors Center, which opened in 1973, is housed in a restored 19th-century dairy barn that is part of the historic Lansing Manor. The Visitors Center offers a variety of educational interactive displays on electricity and often plays host to community events and meetings. |