NYPA in Central New York

In Central New York—an area encompassing the Syracuse and Rochester metropolitan areas, the Capital Region and the Southern Tier—the Power Authority operates the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage project in Gilboa, Schoharie County, and three small hydro-electric projects. Our Gregory B. Jarvis Plant is located at Hinkley Dam and Reservoir in Oneida County, and two other small-hydro facilities, on the Mohawk River, just west of Albany, are Vischer Ferry, straddling Saratoga and Schenectedy counties, and the Crescent plant in Albany and Saratoga counties.

In addition to our generating plants, NYPA facilities in the area include our Albany headquarters office, and the Frederick R. Clark Energy Center in Marcy, Oneida County, which coordinates the operation of our statewide network of power plants and transmission facilities.

It’s been said that the road to electric industry competition and customer choice runs through our Marcy substation near Utica. That’s where we’ve installed the world’s most advanced transmission control device. Our convertible static compensator (CSC) gives consumers greater access to lower cost electricity by permitting more power to be carried on existing transmission lines,  permitting an increase in power flows of 120,000 kilowatts (kw) on the heavily-used transmission lines between Utica and Albany and 240,000 kw statewide.

Economic Development and Jobs

Low-cost power supplied by NYPA protects approximately 100,000 jobs at some 285 companies and non-profit agencies in Central New York. Power for Jobs helps Utica's Matt's Brewing Company, a specialty beer brewer, stay competitive and protect jobs. We also provide some of our low-cost power to investor-owned utilities for resale without profit to their customers and to municipally owned and rural-cooperative electric systems. (Learn more about our economic development programs.)

Energy Efficiency and New Technologies

We have completed a variety of energy-efficiency projects at public facilities in Central New York, helping lower energy costs by more than $13 million a year. In the Capital District alone, we’ve invested nearly $50 million in high-efficiency lighting and other measures at facilities such as the Empire State Plaza, Albany International Airport, the State University at Albany, Schenectady City Hall and Scotia-Glenville schools. We have a long-standing partnership with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse that has included energy-efficiency upgrades, a new high-temperature carbonate fuel cell and two state-of-the-art chillers and other cooling improvements.  The combined results of these improvements save SUNY ESF about $170,000 annually and have and reduced oil consumption by 2, 500 barrels a year.A regional sampling:

• At SUNY Brockport, new developments in an existing campuswide program include chillers, boiler conversions and HVAC system upgrades in four separate buildings; and replacement of windows, air handling units, steam traps, motors and energy management system upgrades.

• At the Governor’s Executive Mansion in Albany, at the request of the Governor’s office, NYPA conducted an energy audit that has led to programming of a variety of energy-efficiency measures, ranging from installation of new Energy Star® kitchen appliances to planned lighting projects and a solar photovoltaic installation.

• Following earlier projects, work has begun on a chiller replacement project for an Albany Central Schools facility.

• In Utica and Cobleskill, NYPA officials this spring conducted orientation sessions for school district superintendents and facilities managers on the newly legislated Power To Schools program. It authorizes NYPA to assist all public and private schools statewide with energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Energy audits and feasibility studies have been planned for the Guilderland and Ballston Spa central school districts. Tentatively, a similar study, including adoption of lighting, sensors, an energy management system upgrade and boiler/burner replacements will be developed for possible application by the South Glens Falls Central School District.

• NYPA plans replacement of three burners and three boilers on the campus of SUNY Albany East, as part of the university’s ongoing statewide Energy Strategic Plan.

We have had a hand in putting more than 970 electric and hybrid- electric vehicles in service with our customers and in our own operations. Our efforts to promote electric-drive transportation are helping to create a cleaner environment. That’s true as well for our initiatives to demonstrate and advance cleaner new energy technologies such as fuel cells and solar power. One of our rooftop solar photovoltaic projects is located in Amsterdam.  (Learn more about our energy efficiency, new technology and clean transportation initiatives.)

Community Involvement

The U.S. Department of the Interior honored the Power Authority with its highest outdoor recreation award for the varied conservation, recreational and cultural facilities developed as part of the Blenheim–Gilboa project. In addition to building the 650-acre Mine Kill State Park, we restored Lansing Manor and operate it as a museum in conjunction with the Schoharie County Historical Society. We also maintain an award-winning 2 1/2-mile Bluebird trail. At the Blenheim-Gilboa project’s admission-free visitors center, we play host to over 40,000 visitors each year. Many of them are students who come to participate in energy education, electrical safety and environmental programs. In addition to staging an array of activities at the B-G project, the Power Authority co-sponsors community events and festivals in Central New York. Check our web calendar for community events nearest you.

NYPA in:

• The community

• Western New York

• Central New York

• Northern New York

• Downstate New York
   

News:

October 20, 2008 - New York Power Authority Visitors Center Set to Host Scary Halloween Event

October 2, 2008 - NYPA Set to Host Free Hiking Expedition on Schoharie Valley Trails, Oct. 11

September 29, 2008 - Photo and Caption: Clark Wildlife Festival at the Utica Zoo

September 12, 2008 - New York Power Authority to Play Host to Wildlife Festival on September 20

August 25, 2008 - New York Power Authority Announces Expanded Labor Day Weekend Schedule for its Visitors Center and Lansing Manor

July 24, 2008 - Victorian Tea Party Set for NYPA Lansing Manor

July 11, 2008 - New York Power Authority to Play Host to Antique Road and Auto Shows

June 25, 2008 - New York Power Authority Names Jefferson Resident Lynn Hait to Regional Manager (includes photo and caption)

May 21, 2008 - Power Authority Visitors to Play Host to Revolutionary War Battle Re-Enactment

May 1, 2008 - NYPA Lansing Manor Museum to Play Host to Mother's Day Quilt Show

February 26, 2008- Low-Cost Hydropower to Keep Laser-Cutting Company in Capital District and Help to Create 15 Jobs

February 7, 2008 - Airport, Delta & NY Power Authority Turn Up The “Green” (Albany Airport press release and NYPA President and CEO Roger B. Kelley's remarks)


December 17, 2007 - NYPA Assists Auburn With Use of Clean Renewable Energy Source to Heat and Cool Municipal Buildings

September 5, 2007 - Second Phase of Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Modernization Program to Begin in September All Public Recreational Activities At Upper Reservoir To Close September 10