Executive Speeches

Excerpts from remarks of Angelo S. Esposito, senior vice president, energy services and technology of the New York Power Authority, at an event marking completion of the final initiative in the Queens Clean Air Project, Astoria, New York. 

April 9, 2008 

I’m very pleased to be here on this significant occasion for the New York Power Authority and for our neighbors in Northwest Queens.  And I want to say a special thanks to Borough President Helen Marshall, whose leadership and vision have been invaluable in bringing us to this point. 

Back in 2002, the Borough President joined with several environmental groups and the Power Authority to conclude a landmark agreement.  Its premise—and its promise—were that critical energy and environmental goals need not be in conflict, but could be addressed together as part of a comprehensive, balanced approach. 

The agreement opened the way for the Power Authority to build its nearby 500-megawatt, combined-cycle power plant-–one of the cleanest and most efficient in New York City’s history. 

One of the provisions also called for NYPA to make available $2 million in funding for local programs to improve air quality and public health in this part of Queens.  From this arose the remarkable partnership known as the Queens Clean Air Project—which has been administered so successfully by Debbi Edelstein and her colleagues at Clean Air Communities. 

Today we mark the completion not only of the electric vehicle initiative here at Astoria Park, but of the Queens Clean Air Project itself since this is the last of its five elements. 

The individual projects represent a variety of approaches.  Besides the nine clean electric vehicles that have replaced polluting gasoline- and diesel-fueled models here, they include a green roof at Silvercup Studios, solar-powered “Big Belly” trash compactors, emissions reduction equipment for New York City garbage trucks, and electric ground support equipment for Delta Airlines at La Guardia Airport. 

But, despite their differences, all help to clean the air—the Astoria Park project by itself will annually eliminate more than 15 tons of emissions—mainly greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.  Most help to save energy.  And the electric vehicle projects here and at La Guardia help to reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. 

All this is very much in line with national energy and environmental priorities.  And it’s in keeping with Governor Paterson’s objectives for New York State. 

The New York Power Authority is playing a key role in meeting those statewide goals.  In Queens alone, we’ve completed energy efficiency projects at some 230 schools and other public facilities.  These projects reduce annual greenhouse-gas emissions by close to 80,000 tons and save nearly 190,000 barrels of oil a year.   

We’ve also installed a fuel cell at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Corona facility and rooftop solar energy projects at the Hall of Science and the Queens Botanical Garden.  And—counting the ones here and at La Guardia—we’ve helped to put about 70 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles into service in various areas of the borough. 

The Queens Clean Air Project has enabled us to focus on creating a cleaner, more energy efficient future for Astoria and nearby communities.  We appreciate the efforts of our QCAP partners and the local officials and residents who have joined in supporting this vital endeavor. 

Thank you.