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