Power Authority Board Elects
Kessel President, CEO
Contact:
Christine Pritchard
518-322-9143
christine.pritchard@nypa.gov
September 23, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority’s (NYPA)
Board of Trustees today elected Richard M. Kessel to serve as
President and Chief Executive Officer. NYPA, a non-profit,
public-benefit energy corporation, is the largest state-owned
electric utility in the nation.
“Richard Kessel has extensive experience in both
the energy industry and in consumer advocacy, and has the vision and
leadership essential to advancing the Power Authority’s mission of
providing clean, economical and reliable energy,” said Michael J.
Townsend, NYPA’s acting chairman. “I am confident that Mr. Kessel
will lead NYPA in achieving its critical goals in advancing
renewable energy, addressing New Yorkers’ energy needs through
aggressive energy efficiency initiatives and partnering with other
state officials to use its resources for job creation and retention
throughout the state.”
Mr. Kessel, an expert on New York energy issues,
served as chief executive officer of the Long Island Power Authority
(LIPA) from 1997 to 2006, and chairman of the LIPA Board of Trustees
from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Kessel was responsible for several notable
achievements during his tenure at LIPA.
Mr. Kessel successfully negotiated LIPA’s
acquisition of Long Island Lighting Company, which contributed to an
immediate reduction in utility rates on Long Island. Mr. Kessel also
improved the safety of the State’s power transmission infrastructure
when he led the decommissioning of the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant,
the first closing of a commercial nuclear facility in the United
States. Mr. Kessel received regional and national recognition for
LIPA’s commitment to the next generation of clean energy
technologies such as fuel cells and wind power.
Mr. Kessel began his career in public service as
Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board
from 1983 to 1995, where he successfully negotiated rate freeze
agreements with Consolidated Edison, Niagara Mohawk, and Orange and
Rockland Utilities. Mr. Kessel was a Professor of Consumer Studies
at Five Towns College from 1995 to 1997.
He served on the Board of Trustees for Nassau
County Community College from 1981 to 2000, and was appointed to
serve on the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority from 2000 until
2007.
Mr. Kessel received a bachelor's degree from New
York University and his master's degree from Columbia University.
Mr. Kessel will join the Power Authority on October
14, 2008.
About NYPA:
■ NYPA uses no tax money or state
credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and
revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■
NYPA is a leader in promoting energy efficiency, new energy
technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is
the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18
generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than
1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. ■ For more
information, please go to www.nypa.gov.
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