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| Week of June 8, 2008 |
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NIAGARA FALLS: 500 ‘Green Collar’ Jobs Coming to Niagara— A major
allocation of low-cost Power Authority hydropower will bring 500 new “green
collar” jobs to Niagara County and spur capital investment of $60 million in
the solar energy industry. Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. will receive 40
megawatts (mw) of electricity from the Niagara Power Project over five years
and up to $25 million in Empire Zone benefits for up to 10 years. The
economic development package was conceived by Empire State Development and
the Power Authority and will serve as the linchpin for the reopening and
expansion of a Globe manufacturing facility. Globe is a leader in silicon
manufacturing that is used to create solar panels. Twenty-five percent of
Globe’s Upgraded Metallurgical Grade Silicon production from a new Niagara
Falls plant will be used to attract new solar panel manufacturers to New
York State, furthering the development of the “green collar” industry in
Western New York. “Green collar” industries produce environmentally positive
products or services. “In these fiscally tough times, these are the kind of
collaborative investments of state resources that we need to spur economic
development in communities throughout New York,” said Gov. David Paterson.
NIAGARA FALLS: More Niagara Industries Receive Power—Allocations of low-cost Power Authority electricity will help three Niagara Falls manufacturers create a total of 139 jobs and spur $20 million in capital investments. “It is critical that we maximize the considerable cost benefits of hydropower to fortify industries and spur additional jobs in Western New York, and these allocations demonstrate my Administration’s commitment to do just that,” said Gov. David Paterson. Saint-Gobain—Advanced Ceramics, whose ceramic products include armor materials for U.S. soldiers, will receive 700 kilowatts (kw) for plans to add 14 new jobs to its current work force of 178. Ceres Crystal Industries, which manufactures zirconia crystal for the gem-cutting industry, was approved for 2,000 kw to double its Niagara Falls work force from 50 to 100. Ashland Advanced Materials, a new company, will receive 3,500 kw for the creation of 75 jobs and an investment of $8.5 million for manufacturing graphite products and providing high temperature, heat-treating services. The allocations were approved May 20 by Power Authority trustees. NEW YORK CITY: NYPA Assists With Two Solar Projects— The Power Authority is partnering with two government organizations on high-profile solar energy projects. NYPA will facilitate the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) installation of a six-megawatt complex of solar panels atop MTA facilities such as bus depots, warehouses and other large-roofed structures, the largest solar power project in New York State history. This and other projects together are expected to provide about 7 percent of the MTA’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2015. At the Queens Botanical Garden visitors center, NYPA contributed a rooftop solar panel that generates 15 kilowatts, or about 20 percent of the building’s electricity needs. The installation includes a touch-screen kiosk in the main lobby to monitor electricity production. The American Institute of Architects has named the visitors center one of the nation’s top 10 examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions. The building uses about 40 percent less electricity than others its size. MASSENA: Contract Authorized for New Wilson Hill Dike— NYPA trustees have authorized a contract for the engineering and design of a new dike to be constructed within the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area at the Power Authority’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project. Construction of the dike began last September, but the discovery of an asphalt-covered and submerged log road at the construction site made the original design unsuitable. The previously unknown log road was built in or before the 1860s. The contract, in the amount of $435,000, was awarded to Gomez and Sullivan, Engineers, of Syracuse. WHITE PLAINS: ‘Stay Cool’ Campaign to Return this Summer—The Power Authority will work again this summer with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to encourage consumers to use energy wisely and purchase energy-efficient products when replacing household appliances—especially air conditioners. NYPA trustees in May authorized a contribution of up to $900,000 to support the return of the statewide “Stay Cool” summer energy-saving campaign and to promote the use of energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® air conditioners. Last summer, the program achieved a peak load energy reduction of 1.5 megawatts (enough power for nearly 1,000 homes). The program was launched in summer 2001, and ENERGY STAR® air conditioners now account for more than half of all room air conditioners sold in New York State. Another component of “Stay Cool” is “Have an Energy Smart Summer,” suggestions on how homeowners can reduce energy bills with programmable thermostats and by operating large appliances after 8 p.m., using fluorescent bulbs, turning off lights, planting shade trees and implementing other ideas. More information can be found at www.GetEnergySmart.org. NORTH BLENHEIM: Vintage Baseball a Sure Sign of Summer—Once again this year, a vintage baseball game will bring the sights and sounds of a 19-century summer to the grounds of the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitors Center, complete with hot dogs, soda, popcorn and ice cream for sale. The game, scheduled for June 14 at noon, will feature the Roxbury Nine playing The Mountain Athletic Club. Free caricatures will be available until 2 p.m. Afterwards, visitors may tour Historic Lansing Manor, a restored 19th-century estate on the Visitors Center grounds. On July 20 the Visitors Center will be the host for an Antique Auto Show and Flea Market and an Antiques Road Show. For more information call the Visitors Center at 1-800-724-0309. The Visitors Center is located on Route 30 in North Blenheim, five miles north of Grand Gorge. |