#digitalutility

[nypaenergy]

Governor Cuomo Unveils New Utica Museum Dedicated to the Past, Present and Future of Energy in New York State as Part of Earth Week

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the completion of a new 15,000-square-foot New York State museum of energy in Utica. Located next to the Utica Zoo, the newly constructed, admission-free John S. Dyson New York Energy Zone, designed and financed by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), will open to the public on May 10. The facility’s dedication rounded out a number of events statewide recognizing Earth Day 2021.

Gil Quiniones, NYPA President and CEO, remarked, "The Utica area is home to many of NYPA's dedicated and talented employees and today we recognize them and invite them to share this crown jewel of energy and electricity education and interactive, hands-on exhibits with their friends and families. I'm honored to dedicate this building in honor of John S. Dyson, a distinguished former chairman and trustee of the Power Authority. This New York Energy Zone is the embodiment of John's legacy of public service and his record of improvements to New York's energy system. We at NYPA hope that people of all ages will visit the Energy Zone to learn the fascinating history of power in New York State and will look with promise toward the future as we continue to move toward a clean energy economy."

Anthony J. Picente Jr., NYPA trustee and Oneida County Executive, commented, "Utica is a natural location for this museum of energy because it complements the work of our Frederick R. Clark Energy Center, NYPA's system-wide energy transmission complex in Marcy. I am grateful to my colleagues at the Power Authority for their vision in conceiving and developing this magnificent facility in Oneida County that will inspire our next generation of energy leaders and benefit all New Yorkers for decades to come."

All visits to the new John S. Dyson New York Energy Zone will follow New York Forward COVID-19 safety precautions. For more information or to schedule a time to visit after May 10, please visit NYPA's New York Energy Zone webpage. More details can be found here.

[nypaenergy]

NYPA 2020 Annual Report Highlights Resilience Through Pandemic and Significant Accomplishments

This week NYPA issued its 2020 Annual Report, highlighting its resilience through COVID-19 while sharing a summary of the past year’s key accomplishments. The report details how NYPA maintains its position as the leading provider of low-cost electricity for economic development for the State of New York as well as being a leading energy efficiency and clean energy advisor. 

The report provides examples of NYPA's perseverance through the pandemic, recognizing the essential workers who sequestered for weeks at Power Authority facilities to ensure the uninterrupted flow of electricity throughout New York while also noting the success of NYPA’s ongoing digitization efforts as hundreds of NYPA employees seamlessly transitioned to continue to work remotely. 

The Power Authority’s priority was to protect the health and safety of its employees, never exceeding a COVID-19 positivity rate of more than 0.5% — much lower than the statewide average, which at its peak exceeded 5% across New York. 

Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president & CEO, remarked, “I am so proud of the many ways in which NYPA and Canals staff responded to the unpredictable and pervasive pandemic crisis throughout 2020. That hard work and commitment has continued into 2021. We are guided by our new VISION2030 plan and we will continue to adapt, invent, deliver and lead with our customers’ needs at the forefront, to benefit every New Yorker, and future generations.” 

Much more can be read in NYPA's press release here.

[nypaenergy]

Governor Cuomo Announces New York Power Authority's Economic Development Awards to Support 2,292 Jobs Across New York State

This week Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that NYPA's Board of Trustees approved economic development awards to 23 entities that will support 2200+ jobs across New York—with 870 jobs being newly created—and spur more than $580 million in private capital investments. Eighteen entities are receiving awards through ReCharge NY energy allocations, while the remaining five are receiving Niagara hydropower allocations and funding awards to enterprises in Western New York.

NYPA Chairman and Buffalo resident John R. Koelmel commented, "NYPA is supporting some very exciting projects today with these economic development incentives—especially in Western New York—and I'm pleased that we are able to stand with New York businesses and communities as we attempt to turn the page from this crippling pandemic. NYPA hydropower and funding will lead to the creation of 870 jobs today by providing businesses critical financial relief and long-term security as they expand and grow right here in New York."

NYPA President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones mentioned, "Today's economic development awards will help to energize the New York economy as we all move to safely rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic. The low-cost power from NYPA's hydroelectric plants is the backbone to the state's economic development efforts and we are eager to leverage it to support businesses in need right now."

Details and a breakdown of the allocations can be found here.

[nypaenergy]

YPA Partners with Town of Tonawanda and City of Tonawanda to Install More Than 7,600 LED Streetlights

NYPA, along with the Town of Tonawanda and the City of Tonawanda, announced this week the installation of energy-efficient LED streetlights as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Smart Street Lighting NY, a statewide program that calls for at least 500,000 streetlights throughout the state to be replaced with LED technology by 2025.

The project includes the installation of more than 7600 LED streetlights, improving light quality and neighborhood safety while reducing energy and maintenance costs. Greenhouse gas emissions will also be reduced by 1330 metric tons, the equivalent of removing 285+ cars from the road. The installations are expected to begin in March with completion by the end of the year.

The $7.5 million lighting upgrade in the Town of Tonawanda will be implemented by NYPA and include the replacement of nearly 6170 streetlights with energy-saving LED fixtures. The town is financing the lighting installation and the more than $12 million purchase of the lights from National Grid through a municipal bond.

"This is a win for reducing energy costs and improving public safety while saving money for taxpayers," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The installation of 7600 new LED streetlights in the Town of Tonawanda and City of Tonawanda will also increase efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we work to build back better, cleaner and more resilient for the post-pandemic future.”

“Under the Smart Street Lighting NY program, NYPA is in the process of replacing tens of thousands of streetlights across the state and fully expects to exceed the Governor’s goal of replacing 500,000 lights by 2025,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “This impactful program is helping municipalities like the Town and City of Tonawanda to reduce energy and maintenance costs and improve safety, while also protecting the environment.” 

More details can be found here.

[nypaenergy]

City of White Plains Breaks Ground on 6.8MW Community Solar Portfolio

The City of White Plains and Distributed Solar Development (DSD) have broken ground on a nine-project, 6.8MW community solar portfolio of city-owned sites that will triple the amount of solar energy produced in Westchester County.

When done, the White Plains community solar portfolio will be the largest municipal renewable energy deployment in Westchester County, producing enough energy to power more than 700 homes annually, or equivalent to removing over 1300 cars from the road.

Construction on is expected to conclude before the fall of 2021. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has acted the city's energy advisor. NYPA provided White Plains with the greatest possible energy, environmental, and economic benefits.

"This project is a win - for our residents, the City, and the environment," said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach. "DSD's ability to own and maintain the system enables White Plains institutions and residents to save money on energy and contribute to positive environmental outcomes. Over the 20-year term the City anticipates collecting more than $20 million in rent from hosting these installations.” 

Find more info here.

[nypaenergy]

Governor Cuomo Announces New Regulations Adopted to Accelerate Renewable Energy Projects Across New York State

This week Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that adoption of new regulations to dramatically accelerate the siting and construction of major renewable energy facilities across New York State.

Projects advanced under the new regulations, part of the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act, will help the state combat climate change and jumpstart its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Act and its implementing regulations will also drive progress toward the Governor's far-reaching clean energy and climate goals -- including the directive to obtain 70 percent of the state's electricity from renewables by 2030 -- as required under the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

"We're working against the clock to protect New York State from the effects of climate change, and cutting red tape so that renewable energy sources can be built and distributed more easily is part of that effort," Governor Cuomo said. "These new regulations will dramatically reduce the time it takes for government to approve transformative renewable projects, helping us save the environment and fostering new jobs and investment to bring our economy back from COVID-19. New York has long been a national leader on the climate change front, and this is next in a series of concrete steps our state has taken to protect the planet."

More info can be found here.

[nypaenergy]

New York City to Install Rooftop Solar Arrays on 47 Public Schools, Wards Island Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, and Mid-Hudson Locations

NYPA and the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) last week announced the selection of two firms to install rooftop solar arrays on 50 public schools across New York City's five boroughs, the Wards Island Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in Manhattan, and three other water treatment facilities in Westchester, Delaware, and Ulster counties.

The solar arrays will generate as much as 22 megawatts of solar power, enough to supply 5600 residences, and subtract nearly 7000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent each year, equating to the removal of about 1500 cars from city streets.

Several of these facilities are expected to include energy storage systems for use during periods of peak electricity demand, when prices increases typically occur and dirtier energy sources are activated. Ameresco, a Framingham, Mass. headquartered clean technology integrator, and ENGIE North America with national headquarters in Houston, have been selected as the project developers.

“Solar plus storage projects, especially on such a scale as these, will help both New York State and New York City work in lockstep to boost the availability of renewable power and achieve our mutual green energy goals,” said NYPA President & CEO Gil Quiniones.

“Bringing solar energy to New York City facilities in diverse neighborhoods will help supply affordable, clean and reliable electricity throughout the five boroughs and support the state mandate for a 100 percent carbon-free electricity sector by 2040.”

More details are available in NYPA's press release.

[nypaenergy]

NYPA Trustees Advance Multi-Year Infrastructure Upgrade Projects to Strengthen Clean Energy Generation and Transmission Assets

This week NYPA's Trustees authorized several initiatives to further advance programs designed to upgrade and extend the operating life of its generation and transmission infrastructure.

Additional spending and contract awards were authorized for multiple initiatives, including the following infrastructure programs: 

Transmission Life Extension & Modernization Program

Communications Backbone Program

Next Generation Niagara

Marcy to New Scotland Transmission Upgrade project

“The Power Authority is very proud of the work we are doing to help prepare New York State’s generation and transmission assets for the zero-emission energy grid of the future,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “NYPA’s Board of Trustees shares Governor Cuomo’s sense of urgency to move the state toward a green energy economy, and these authorizations will help New York meet its aggressive energy and environmental goals.” 

Find more detailed info on NYPA's future infrastructure plans here: https://www.nypa.gov/news/press-releases/2021/20210127-multiyear.