Executive Speeches

Remarks of Eugene W. Zeltmann, president & chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority, at the the announcement of an agreement to expand Visy Paper, Staten Island, New York.

June 23, 2003

The New York Power Authority—under Governor Pataki’s leadership—is proud to have played a key role in Visy’s decision to build its new corrugating facility right here on Staten Island.

The Power Authority has provided low-cost electricity to the New York City Public Utility Service for resale to Visy since 2001.  That power is used in the company’s waste paper recycling mill—where it helps to protect some 160 jobs.

Now—again working with our partners at NYCPUS—we will provide additional power for the new facility.  That will bring the total allocation to NYCPUS for Visy to more than 20 megawatts—and the company’s job total on Staten Island to 285.

Overall, our power helps to protect nearly 200,000 jobs at businesses and non-profit organizations throughout New York City.  And—Mayor Bloomberg—we want to work with you and your administration to keep adding to that total.

We’re also continuing our efforts to benefit the city’s environment through our energy-efficiency projects at more than 940 schools and other public facilities and our clean-energy and electric transportation programs.  We’re now installing eight fuel cells that will produce virtually pollution-free electricity at four city wastewater treatment plants—including Oakwood Beach on Staten Island.

It’s particularly meaningful for us that the Visy plant will contribute to both economic development and environmental protection—two prime objectives of Governor Pataki and the Power Authority.  On behalf of the Governor, we wish Mr. Pratt and everyone at Visy the very best as this project moves forward.