Executive Speeches

Remarks of Eugene W. Zeltmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority, at the dedication of the convertible static compensator (CSC) Phase II, Clark Energy Center, Marcy, New York.

June 29, 2004

Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for coming. I’m Gene Zeltmann, the New York Power Authority’s president and chief executive officer. Welcome to the Frederick R. Clark Energy Center and our ceremonies to mark the completion of the world’s most-advanced transmission-control device—located right here at this facility.           

Our program begins with the arrival of Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue after lunch.

Meanwhile, I want to recognize several people in our audience who’ve worked closely with us on behalf of the Mohawk Valley and its local communities (Introductions Subject to Confirmation of Attendance):

•  Assemblywoman Roanne Destito

•  Assemblyman David Townsend

•  Assemblyman Marc Butler

•  Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo

•  Utica Mayor Tim Julian

•  And Rome Mayor James Brown

            Also:

• John Kennedy, president, IBEW local 2032

• Roger Clough, business manager, local 2032

• And David Devendorf, vice president and chief engineer, National Grid USA.

We’re delighted you could make it today.

For now, I hope everyone enjoys their lunch, after which we’ll begin the program

(Break for Lunch)

Good afternoon. We’re honored to have with us today Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue. Governor, thank you for joining us.

I also want to introduce the other speakers on our program: New York Power Authority Chairman Louis Ciminelli. Former NYPA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer C.D. “Rapp” Rappleyea. Ric Rudman, executive vice president and chief operating officer of EPRI, the electricity industry’s science and technology development organization. And Al Woelfle, director, Business Administration and Finance, Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution.  Thanks to all of you for being here today.

We’re going to begin today’s event with the singing of our National Anthem by Terri Goff, one of our security guards here at Clark.

(Terri Goff sings National Anthem)

Thank you, Terri.

Today, we celebrate completion of the second and final phase of the convertible static compensator—our pioneering transmission control device.

Three years ago this month, in June 2001, we gathered at this site to mark completion of the first phase of the CSC project. So this may seem like déjà vu for some of us. But each stage of the project has produced distinct benefits for New York State’s electric power system, including service reliability and economical power.

Now, I know the name, convertible static compensator, doesn’t sound too exciting. I’m sure if Madison Avenue had a crack at it, they could have jazzed it up. While the name might be a mouthful…the project’s purpose says a great deal about the direction set by Governor Pataki for use of advanced technologies to meet the energy challenges of the Empire State.

Lieutenant Governor Donohue knows quite a bit about this. In fact, she was on hand for the CSC groundbreaking back in 1999 and helped us inaugurate the project’s first phase in 2001. It’s my distinct honor to introduce Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue.

(Lt. Governor Donohue’s Remarks)

Thank you, Governor. We’re grateful for the direction and support you and Governor Pataki have provided for this cutting-edge, transmission-control equipment and for the other things we do to lower electricity costs and improve system reliability and air quality.

The CSC would not have happened without an extraordinary effort by the salaried and union employees at this site, and others from our corporate operations, including engineering, project management, system planning, and R&D, as well as people from EPRI and Siemens. And the project was carried out while this facility—the Clark Energy Center—continued as the nerve center of the Power Authority’s extensive generating and transmission facilities.

In other words, it’s been a major collaborative enterprise that’s involved considerable dedication, flexibility, ingenuity and hard work. Please join with me in giving those employees a round of applause.

One of the individuals whose contributions stand out is our former chairman, “Rapp” Rappleyea. He made the critical decision to embark on the CSC project.

“Rapp” recognized its value—both as a landmark work of engineering and as a serious, substantial commitment to the future of NYPA operations here in Marcy.

The vision he demonstrated in seeing the significance of the CSC project is evident in much of the success NYPA achieved during his tenure.

In 1997, “Rapp’s” decades of experience in the state legislature contributed to the successful adoption of Governor Pataki’s Power for Jobs program, which has helped to protect some 300,000 jobs across the state.

He also played a significant role in helping to introduce competition in the state’s electric power industry. And he contributed greatly toward the Power Authority’s sale of its two nuclear plants by facilitating a remarkable turn-around that preceded a transaction with the Entergy Corp. and a new benchmark price for such plants.

When “Rapp” left NYPA in January 2001, after 5-1/2 years of service, Governor Pataki said, “As chairman…’Rapp’ Rappleyea has helped New York State respond assertively to an array of economic, energy and environmental challenges. His strong leadership guided the New York Power Authority through a period of sweeping changes in the electric utility industry.”

We continue to be inspired by his leadership, and we are exceptionally pleased to have him with us today to mark this special occasion. So let’s all welcome our former chairman, “Rapp” Rappleyea.

(Rappleyea Remarks)

Thank you, “Rapp.” We’re grateful for the leadership you provided for this cutting-edge enterprise.

I now want to introduce NYPA Chairman Louis Ciminelli, under whose leadership the Power Authority has conducted the CSC Phase 2 work. Chairman Ciminelli…

(Ciminelli Remarks)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

One organization that is an essential part of the CSC story is EPRI, whose work in the early 1990s laid the technological foundation for our new transmission-control equipment. EPRI is represented today by Ric Rudman,  its executive vice president and chief operating officer. Ric…

(Remarks by Ric Rudman)

Thank you, Ric. I should note I recently had the honor of being elected to a one-year term as EPRI’s chairman, after serving as its vice chairman. So I have a pretty good sense of the importance this nonprofit organization holds for our industry, in science and technology development, and partnering with organizations like ours.

Today’s event would not be complete without Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution, the manufacturer of the CSC. The close working relationship we formed with Siemens was integral to the project’s success. I’m delighted to introduce Siemens Director of Business Administration and Finance Al Woelfle.

(Remarks by Al Woelfle)

Thank you, Al.

And thank you, to everyone, for joining us on this red-letter day for New York State’s energy industry.

For those who’d like more specifics on the CSC’s operation, there’s a van outside that will drive you a short distance to the building housing the equipment. Thanks again, and have a great afternoon.