Who benefits most?
The 885-megawatt (mw) Poletti project, and a new 500-mw combined-cycle power plant built directly next door, enable the Power Authority to meet the electricity requirements of its large government customers in New York City, who save hundreds of millions of dollars a year in lower energy costs by using NYPA-generated electricity. They include tax-supported schools, hospitals, municipal buildings, and the metropolitan region’s subways and commuter trains.

Because NYPA’s new combined-cycle facility is cleaner and more efficient than many older power plants in the city, plans are underway to eventually shut down the Poletti project. An historic agreement among the Power Authority, New York City officials and local environmental groups that will retire the Poletti project no later than 2010 was announced in Sept. 2002.

In addition to this agreement, the Power Authority has taken many other steps to improve the air quality around New York City. Besides making technical and operational changes involving its Astoria facilities, NYPA has also invested heavily in energy efficiency and clean air initiatives, spending hundreds of millions of dollars in all five boroughs of New York. The projects reduce electricity usage, save taxpayer dollars and also limit greenhouse gas emissions. These benefits, along with low-cost power, are examples of how the Power Authority serves the people of New York City without the use of tax monies or state credit.