NYPA Press Release

FIFTY-ONE STUDENTS COMPLETE INTERNSHIPS AT NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY

Annual Career-Readiness Program Offers Mentoring and Real-life Experiences to Community College Students Interested in Clean Energy Fields

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Fifty-one college students from underserved communities celebrated the completion of six-week paid summer internships with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) yesterday by giving presentations on their experiences to an audience of mentors, trainers and supporters. The program, part of NYPA’s environmental justice outreach through the nationally respected Pathways in Technology Early College High School program, known as P-TECH, gives young people an edge in their career aspirations and helps build a workforce pipeline for New York State’s growing clean energy field.

“The Power Authority’s environmental justice summer internship program is a hands-on learning opportunity intended to motivate bright, accomplished students to learn new professional skills and pursue careers in the clean energy industry,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “Now in its fifth year, the internship program is designed to educate and energize students from underserved communities about STEM studies and new careers that will in turn support the state’s growing clean energy workforce.”

The P-TECH model of education plays a crucial role in helping students develop the skills and competencies that will directly prepare them for competitive careers in New York State’s growing clean energy workforce. This year’s students are from Western New York, Albany, Mohawk Valley and New York City.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “Paid internships are an important part of ensuring the success and upward mobility of SUNY students. The experience gained through NYPA’s summer internship program will help launch the participating SUNY students into highly competitive and sought-after jobs in New York State’s energy sector. We thank Governor Hochul for investing in these important internships, and SUNY is proud to continue partnering with NYPA on this incredible internship program. Congratulations to the students on their amazing work.”

Each intern is assigned to a team focusing on a real-life technical project led by a NYPA representative and an industry partner. They are also given one-on-one mentoring and weekly skill development sessions. Eligible participants include those in community colleges targeting two-year associate degrees in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering and math).

Participating schools include SUNY Niagara, Mohawk Valley Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, and LaGuardia Community College.

“The Power Authority is committed to using its energy and engineering expertise to help close the achievement gap and promote diversity in higher education and STEM fields,” said Kaela Mainsah, NYPA vice president of environmental justice. “Our interns gain invaluable experience by working on real-world projects that address critical challenges. Through these hands-on opportunities, students not only develop practical skills but also build confidence in their ability to innovate and lead in their future careers.”

Students in the 2025 program worked on the following projects:

Canals Carbonization: Interns supported NYPA's Sustainability team by evaluating energy efficiency, decarbonization, and on-site solar generation projects at sites along the Erie Canal. Tasks included understanding New York State’s climate law, evaluating permitting requirements, reviewing NYPA’s Clean Energy Master Plan, and analyzing opportunities to install solar systems.

Transmission Line Migration: Students worked at the Clark Energy Center and in the field to validate transmission line mileage data by comparing drawings with spreadsheet data to support insurance and wildfire mitigation efforts. Their final project was to provide updated spreadsheets to import into NYPA’s asset and work management system.

Exit Slide Gate: Building on last year’s project at the Niagara Power Project, interns worked with NYPA’s security operations team to design and build an exit slide gate for pedestrians and bicycles. They prepared a comprehensive report documenting design criteria, procurement, costs and implementation plans.

HVAC System Modification: Interns at the Niagara Power Project worked on a HVAC system modification project focused on fire code compliance, specifically addressing dryer venting issues. They reviewed fire marshal citations, performed physical assessments and proposed viable solutions, recommending the best option based on cost, ease of implementation, effectiveness and compliance.

Energy Audit: Interns worked with Macan Deve Engineers and Green Tech Leaders in New York City to perform energy audits at several business locations and apply their skills in real-world settings. They earned their Apprentice Lighting Technician and EPA-608 certifications, which qualify them for handling refrigeration systems and lighting installations.

About NYPA  

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.