The New York Power Authority (NYPA) plans to utilize cleaner energy sources in an effort to cut dependence on foreign oil, combat global warming and assure reliable, affordable energy.
The NYPA is helping to implement an initiative to encourage private-sector development of one or more clean-coal power plants in New York State and is planning a "Hydropower to Hydrogen" program in which hydroelectric power will be used, in an emission-free process, to produce hydrogen as a fuel for transportation, according to the NYPA. In addition, NYPA has installed 14 fuel cells and 25 solar photovoltaic projects.
NYPA's large hydroelectric projects on the St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers, which share water resources with Ontario Power Generation, and the Authority's 765-kilovolt transmission line from Quebec are major sources of clean energy that help to reduce New York State's reliance on oil for electricity production. The hydo projects supply about 19 percent of New York State’s electricity.
In addition to developing clean power sources, the NYPA is committed to promoting energy efficiency and the development of green buildings designed to save energy and water, improve the environment and protect the health of occupants.
The NYPA has invested more than $1 billion over the past 15 years in energy efficiency and clean energy projects at government buildings, schools and other public facilities throughout New York State and is on target to spend $100 million for such purposes in 2006.
Completed projects reduce peak demand for electricity by more than 200 megawatts and annually save taxpayers almost $100 million through reduced energy and maintenance costs, avoid the burning of more than 1.8 million barrels of oil and cut greenhouse-gas emissions by nearly 760,000 tons, according to the NYPA.
"It is my goal," says NYPA president and CEO Timothy S. Carey, "to make the Power Authority the cleanest and greenest electric utility anywhere."
