Projects in Progress

The Power Authority has a tradition of troubleshooting New York's toughest energy challenges and delivering essential utility services that others can't or won't.  This tradition took root in the 1950s, when we harnessed the hydroelectric energy potential of the St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers to produce some of the nation's least expensive electricity. And it continues today with our nationally recognized efforts to advance energy efficiency, clean technologies and other initiatives that promote sustainability. 

Here’s a quick look at some of our current projects in progress that benefit the Empire State:

• Habitat Improvement Projects

Habitat Improvement Projects benefit protected species of wildlife, including these common loons, shown on the St. Lawrence River.

Protecting and enhancing the environment is a major element in the relicensing of large hydropower facilities, including NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR project (relicensed Nov. 1, 2003) and Niagara project (relicensed Sept. 1, 2007). Included in the terms of the new St. Lawrence-FDR license is NYPA’s commitment to construct 10 Habitat Improvement Projects (HIPs) to benefit terrestrial and aquatic species along the St. Lawrence River. For the Niagara relicensing, NYPA will build eight HIPS along the Upper Niagara River. Additional funds will be made available at both locations for future HIP work as well. Input on these projects comes from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, environmental groups as well as other stakeholders.
 

• Toward a Sustainable Future

Installing tinted window film in the White Plains office to help regulate inside temperatures

With renewable hydropower accounting for some 80 percent of NYPA’s electricity production, the Power Authority is already considered one of the cleanest electric utilities in the nation. NYPA has also become a national leader in promoting energy efficiency and alternative energy technologies at its own facilities and in partnership with its customers. Every area of Power Authority operations is being examined in relation to a “triple bottom line” that encompasses environmental stewardship, social equity and economic prosperity. An important milestone was reached in early 2007 when NYPA’s White Plains office building was recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council for its clean and green characteristics. Some of these attributes will be incorporated at other Power Authority sites around New York State; NYPA customers can also tap this knowledge base to make their own operations more sustainable, for both economic and environmental benefits.

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• Life Extension and Modernization
   

  St .Lawrence-FDR welcomes the arrival of its eighth new 43-ton, 19-foot diameter turbine runner.

  The Power Authority takes seriously its role as steward of some of New York State’s invaluable power generating resources. That’s why we have embarked on life extension and modernization (LEM) projects at several of our generating facilities. We started with our Niagara Power Project in 1991.  By December 2006 we had replaced the turbines and retrofitted other components of the 13 generating units at a cost of $298 million. We are currently midway through a similar program at our St. Lawrence-FDR generating station.  That project, estimated to cost $281 million, began in 1997 and is scheduled for completion in 2013. A LEM program underway at our Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Project is currently 50 percent done, and scheduled for completion in 2010.

• Tri-Lakes Reliability Project

  Due to the efforts of elected and municipal officials, and interested residents of the Tri-Lakes Region, the Villages of Lake Placid and Tupper Lake are working with NYPA and National Grid to install a power line to help improve electric reliability, significantly weakened by increased electric use during severe winter weather, for the health and safety of area residents. A permit was approved on March 9, 2006 by the Adirondack Park Agency for the construction of the new 46 kv (kilovolt) power line. NYPA and its partner, National Grid, have begun work on the detailed design and engineering for the line. National Grid will build, maintain and operate the line, which will be owned by NYPA until it is transferred to National Grid at the end of 2011. Construction began in September 2007. The new power line is expected to be in service by winter 2008/09.

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Keep watching this page for news on other Power Authority initiatives.