Zeltmann, NYPA President, Cites Need for Clean
New Power Plants
Contact:
Stephen Shoenholz
914-390-8165
stephen.shoenholz@nypa.gov
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March 11, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRONXVILLEWarning that a recovering economy will require additional supplies of
electricity, New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Operating Officer Eugene
W. Zeltmann said Monday that it would be "a serious miscalculation" to delay or
drop plans to build a new generation of clean, efficient power plants.
"When the economy recovers, as its apparently beginning to do, electricity
use will start shooting up again and keep on growing," Zeltmann told the Bronxville
Rotary Club. "We must use what could be a very brief respite to get ready."
Zeltmann noted that the national economic slowdown and the September 11 attacks
"have led, at least for now, to falling prices and easing of supply problems in New
York and other parts of the country." But he said new power plants will be needed
quickly both to meet anticipated future requirements and to improve air quality by
replacing old, inefficient units.
Even for this summer, Zeltmann said, the New York Independent System Operator, which
runs the state's wholesale power markets, and Con Edison predict that peak demand for
electricity will be roughly at last years record levels.
He said the Power Authority, under Gov. George E. Patakis leadership, is helping
to carry out a three-part strategy to meet power needs and protect the environment. In
addition to building clean new power plants, the approach includes strengthening the power
transmission system and promoting energy efficiency and renewable supply sources.
Zeltmann told the audience at J.C. Fogartys restaurant that Westchester County
residents and businesses benefit from the Power Authoritys installation of
10 small, clean gas-turbine generators in New York City and
of the worlds most advanced transmission control device at its Marcy Substation near
Utica.
By bolstering power supplies, the gas turbines have helped to lower the prices paid by
all Con Edison customers, including those in Westchester County. The transmission device,
called a
convertible
static compensator, is scheduled for completion later this year, but has already eased
bottlenecks in Central New York, permitting more electricity to reach Westchester and
other parts of the Hudson Valley.
Zeltmann said Westchester County taxpayers save about $30 million a year through use of
economical Power Authority electricity by the county government and about 100 other public
entities, including the Town of Eastchester and the villages of Bronxville and Tuckahoe.
"Westchester commuters also benefit," he said, "since our electricity
powers the Metro-North trains."
In addition, said Zeltmann, NYPA power supplied under Governor Patakis Power for
Jobs program and other initiatives helps to protect nearly 22,000 jobs at businesses and
non-profit organizations in Westchester ranging from Readers Digest, Coca-Cola
Bottling and Kraft Foods to St. Josephs Medical Center in Yonkers.
Also in Westchester, he noted, the Power Authority helps to meet power needs, improve
air quality and cut dependence on foreign oil by advancing energy efficiency and clean new
technologies.
"Westchester facilities and the taxpayers supporting them save more than $6 l/2
million a year thanks to our efficiency efforts," Zeltmann said. "These projects
also benefit the environment by cutting power-plant emissions by nearly 53,000 tons
annually."
In addition, NYPA has installed nine solar energy projects in Westchester, including a
unit at the Tuckahoe Library and Community Center, and a fuel cell at the county
wastewater treatment plant in Yonkers.
Zeltmann said the Power Authority has helped to put about 40 clean electric vehicles on
the road in Westchester and recently launched the "NYPA/Th!nk
Clean Commute," the nations largest electric station-car program.
"Ford is leasing the vehicles to 100 Westchester and other area commuters for $199
a month," he said. "Participants will use charging equipment at the station
lots, including those in Chappaqua and White Plains. Andin what Im told is a
matter of some importance theyll be assured a parking spot at their
station."
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