Tag: NYPA

Power Authority develops sustainability plan

The New York Power Authority last week said it has developed a five-year plan that establishes goals and strategies to achieve the state’s climate leadership goals through a comprehensive sustainability agenda.

Progress against NYPA’s Sustainability Plan will be measured with annual sustainability reports that will detail the organization’s progress as the Authority continues to lead New York State’s transition to a carbon-free, economically vibrant New York, the agency said.

“As we at the New York Power Authority take bold steps to lead our state’s transformation to a clean energy economy, we need to do so in a transparent way that informs our stakeholders about our business decisions and priorities while keeping our commitment to sustainability at the forefront,” said NYPA Chairman John Koelmel in a statement. “We will rely on clear policies, practices and controls to guide our sustainability efforts as we continue to provide clean, affordable electricity and energy services to our customers and reliable generation and transmission for all of New York.”

The 2021-2025 Sustainability Plan serves as a roadmap to deliver on a best-in-class sustainability strategy to meet the present and future needs of stakeholders and enhance long-term ESG performance, officials said. The plan outlines the steps NYPA and its subsidiary, the New York State Canal Corporation, are committed to taking to advance sustainability efforts across 15 environmental, social and governance (ESG) focus areas. The plan will evolve as the ESG initiatives advance to support VISION2030 implementation.

“By using an ESG framework to manage and measure NYPA’s sustainability commitments and successes, we will be able to share key milestones as we advance some of the nation’s most ambitious climate targets,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones. “Everything we do as we embark on transforming our energy system for a clean energy future will be shaped by our sustainability strategy as we pursue decarbonization, foster economic growth and create an ESG blueprint for others to follow.”

Sustainability, measured through an ESG structure, is a foundational pillar of VISION2030, NYPA’s recently introduced strategic plan to help lead the state energy infrastructure’s transformation into a clean, reliable, resilient and affordable system over the next decade. NYPA will assess its business through the ESG framework, which guides long-term business investments and shows transparency and accountability.

The Sustainability Plan describes NYPA goals and strategies that have been identified for 15 key sustainability focus areas, in alignment with VISION2030, the CLCPA, state energy programs and executive orders and industry leading practices. The areas, ranging from renewable energy to employee development to risk management, are considered to have the greatest potential impact on NYPA’s business and to be of most importance to stakeholders, officials said. The plan has been developed with guidance and input from business units and department leaders across the organization, including Sustainability Advisory Council members, subject matter experts and other key stakeholders.

The report highlights NYPA’s sustainability commitments and accomplishments in 2020, including:

• Work toward a 2035 target for eliminating carbon emissions from NYPA’s small clean power plant portfolio, a significant step toward meeting the state goal of a carbon-free power system by 2040.
• The financing of hundreds of millions of dollars of customer energy efficiency and clean energy projects.
• Supporting 400,000 jobs across New York State through economic development programs.
• Supporting the development and engagement of a diverse workforce through a 10-Point Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan.
• Continuing to fund a $300 million Reimagine the Canals initiative to revitalize the Erie Canal corridor as a prime tourism and recreation destination.

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Area businesses receive NYPA economic development awards

The New York Power Authority’s board of trustees has approved economic development awards to 23 entities that will support nearly 2,300 jobs statewide.

The funding and low-cost energy will help create 870 jobs and spur more than $580 million in private capital investments, officials said this week. Some 18 organizations will receive awards through ReCharge NY energy allocations, while the remaining five will receive Niagara hydropower allocations and funding awards to enterprises in Western New York.

“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,” said NYPA Chairman John Koelmel in a statement. “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.”

In the Finger Lakes Region, ReCharge will allocate 2,456 kW of low-cost power to ABX Innovative Packaging Solutions LLC, which will invest more than $19 million in its facility in Macedon, creating 38 jobs and retaining 378. Plug Power Inc. will receive 5,100 kW of low-cost power for its West Henrietta facility. The company is investing $120 million and creating 377 jobs.

Plug Power also will receive a 10,000-kW hydropower allocation from the NYPA for its project at the Western New York Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Genesee County. The capital-region green power company intends to invest $290 million on the construction of a hydrogen fuel production facility and a 450-megawatt electric substation to serve the complex. The NYPA board also approved $1.5 million in funding for the project from the Western New York Power Proceeds program. The project is expected to create 68 jobs.

“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,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones. “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.”

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Wayne County manufacturer to expand packaging lines, add 38 jobs

Flexible packaging firm ABX Innovative Packaging Solutions plans to grow its operations in Wayne County. The company will update its existing equipment, purchase new equipment and undertake infrastructure improvements to accommodate the expansion of its green solution flexible packaging manufacturing operation.

“We offer a unique suite of flexible, sustainable packaging options for customers in consumer, healthcare and specialty markets. Flexible packaging offers exceptional environmental benefits because it uses less energy and fewer resources than other forms of packaging,” said CEO Larry Goldstein.

The Macedon manufacturer will add six new bag lines and relocate a portion of its operations to another building located at the company’s Main Street campus. The upgrades will allow ABX to better serve its customers, including a global consumer products provider of personal care and paper products that has committed to making its products 100 percent recyclable.

“These investments will support our initiatives to drive continuous improvement, higher quality and the use of post-consumer recycled resins in our products,” said company COO Jeff Godsey.

The renovation work is expected to launch this spring with target completion by the summer of 2022. ABX has committed to creating up to 38 new jobs as a result of the expansion, while 378 jobs will be retained.

Empire State Development will support the project with up to $1.35 million through the Excelsior Tax Credit program in exchange for job creation commitments. The New York Power Authority, pending approval by its board of trustees on Tuesday, is supporting the expansion with more than 2.4 megawatts of low-cost power from the ReCharge NY program. Rochester Gas & Electric, Wayne County Industrial Development Agency and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting the expansion project. The total project cost has been placed at a little more than $12.2 million.

“ABX Innovative Packaging Solutions’ growth is another example of the quality workforce in our region,” Wayne County Industrial Development Agency Director and CEO Brian Pincelli said. “ABX is recognized as an industry leader and their products are critical components of our supply chain and economy nationwide. ABX CEO Larry Goldstein recognized the culture, talent, and commitment of our workforce and we couldn’t be prouder to have them here in Wayne County.”

ABX, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, creates and delivers state-of-the-art innovative flexible packaging solutions, engineered and optimized for enhanced performance. ABX has roughly 900 employees nationwide. In addition to its Wayne County location, the company also maintains operations in Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana and Wisconsin.

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Monroe County gets its first EV fast charger hub

Monroe County has its first fast-charging station for electric vehicles.

New York state late last month unveiled the new station in the village of Fairport. The Direct Current Fast Charger hub is the sixth station completed as part of a statewide Evolve NY charging network being installed along key travel corridors and in urban areas to encourage travelers to drive electric vehicles. The New York Power Authority initiative makes charging quick and convenient and helps the state meet its ambitious clean energy goals.

“The Power Authority is building a robust network of fast, affordable and reliable public charging stations across the state while simultaneously working to raise awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones. “Fairport continues to step up as a leader in the Finger Lakes region and show a firm commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrating EVs into its community.”

The new 175 kW two-charger hub is located in the parking lot for Fairport Village Landing and is the first fast charger over 50 kW that provides non-proprietary charging in Monroe County. The hub features a dedicated Tesla adapter cable and can power any compatible electric vehicle.

In addition to the new DCFC units, which will support rapid charging of person and rideshare vehicles, the village is collaborating with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Electric Power Research Institute to install 50 home charging stations and 28 Level 2 public chargers elsewhere in the community.

“The Village of Fairport is so proud to have a long and advantageous partnership with the New York Power Authority. This latest endeavor continues to promote our mutual interest by providing green infrastructure for use by all consumers as we progress electric vehicle usage into our daily lives,” said Fairport Mayor Julie Domaratz.

Access to fast chargers, which can charge compatible EVs in as little as 20 minutes, fills key gaps to wider adoption of EVs, making them an easier and more realistic choice for drivers. Charging times vary based on the vehicles’ on-board charging equipment and the vehicle’s battery capacity. Level 2 chargers can take up to six hours for a full charge and are intended for use while drivers are working or shopping.

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Geneva one of eight communities statewide to get EV fast chargers

The New York Power Authority and the state Department of State are collaborating on an effort to significantly expand deployment of electric vehicle fast-charging stations.

The city of Geneva will serve as one of seven communities statewide that will participate in the initial launch of downtown chargers. The fast-charging stations are capable of recharging electric vehicles in 20 to 30 minutes. The statewide initiative will make EV driving more accessible and will help advance the state’s nation-leading climate and clean energy agenda, which mandates economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2040.

The DOS is engaging Downtown Revitalization Initiative communities and securing interest in NYPA’s EVolve NY program, an infrastructure and awareness effort aimed at making electric vehicles a more accessible option for all New Yorkers. NYPA will fund, install, own and operate two EV fast chargers per selected location in DRI communities in the state’s Regional Economic Development Council regions.

“The city is excited about working with the New York Power Authority to provide this innovative technology to our residents and visitors,” said Geneva Mayor Steve Valentino in a statement last week.

The state’s commitment to the expansion of clean transportation is positioning New York as a leader in EV deployment, officials said. In conjunction with EVolve NY and EV Make Ready, other EV charging and deployment initiatives and programs designed to achieve a Charge NY goal of 10,000 EV charging stations by the end of 2021 and 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025 already are underway.

Under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Drive Clean Rebate program, more than $35 million in rebates have resulted in more than 25,000 electric vehicle purchases as of June of this year.

The “Make Ready” order, which was approved by the state Public Service Commission in July, will stimulate $1.5 billion in new public and private investments and provide more than $2.6 billion in consumer benefits and economic opportunities by using funding from investor-owned utilities to add more charging stations that will be built in key locations to support expanded EV use, with a goal of deploying more than 50,000 chargers by 2025.

Through EVolve NY, NYPA will allocate up to $250 million for public EV fast charging through 2025 to accelerate the market for electric vehicles.

“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is energizing communities across the state and NYPA is committed to capitalizing on the program’s success by adding electric vehicle fast-charging stations to our downtowns,” said Gil Quiniones, NYPA president. “NYPA’s EVolve NY EV charger infrastructure program is identifying key areas, implementing easy-to-use fast chargers and raising awareness about the benefits and ease of driving electric.

“Together, DOS and NYPA will make our downtowns more attractive, futuristic and functional while helping us make progress in lowering greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector and advance the governor’s aggressive climate protection goals,” Quiniones added.

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Thruway to install more EV charging hubs

The New York Power Authority and the New York State Thruway Authority are planning to install electric vehicle charging hubs at up to nine commuter Park and Ride lots along the Thruway system in upstate New York, the organizations said this week.

The Level 2 charging stations, provided by the organizations through the state’s EVolve NY and Charge NY programs, are designed to promote cleaner mobility and help reduce greenhouse gas pollution generated by the transportation sector. Encouraging more drivers to use electric vehicles and public transportation will help the state achieve its carbon-free electricity system goal by 2040 and expedite its transition to a clean energy economy, officials said.

“Strategically placing charging stations in Park and Ride lots along New York state’s most traveled highway will maximize use by commuters who take advantage of public transportation and help us achieve our goal of reducing overall statewide carbon emissions 85 percent by 2040,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew Driscoll. “Thruway commuters will now be able to park their electric vehicle and take public transportation or carpool to work and return to a fully charged vehicle at the end of the day. This is a win-win, environmentally friendly investment that will benefit commuters and nearby communities.”

The first four commuter lots are installed and operational and include Exit 48A, the Pembroke exit in Genesee County.

“Electric vehicles should be the easy choice for drivers and at NYPA we are leading the way in making charging as convenient as possible for New Yorkers and visitors,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones. “Installing easily accessible charging hubs along our highways will provide a major service to travelers who opt for clean transportation while helping the state achieve Gov. Cuomo’s nation-leading electrification and climate protection goals.”

The stations are part of a package of major clean transportation initiatives statewide to expand the use of electric vehicles. A “make ready” order approved by the New York State Public Service Commission will advance the state’s commitment to cleaner mobility by using funding from investor-owned utilities to increase the electrification of the transportation sector, which is the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gas pollution.

Charging stations will be built in key locations to support expanded electric vehicle use with the goal of deploying more than 50,000 chargers by 2025.

The Park and Ride installations began in July and are scheduled to be completed this fall. Each installation will support two electric vehicles charging simultaneously. On average, a Level 2 charging station will fully charge an EV battery in four to five hours.

“The transportation sector is now New York’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and electrifying transportation is critical to meeting the state’s aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals,” said state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Increasing the number of charging ports at publicly accessible locations makes charging more convenient and will help support growth of electric vehicle markets while expanding infrastructure to support a smarter, more sustainable clean energy future.”

In addition to the new EV charging stations at commuter lots, NYPA also plans to install six Level 3 DC fast chargers at Thruway service areas in Western New York and the Finger Lakes region by the end of this year. The chargers are being donated by Nissan North America.

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Reimagine the Erie Canal gets task force, new goals

More than two centuries after the first shovels hit the ground to build a 363-mile channel connecting the East Coast to areas in the Midwest, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is launching a major initiative to explore the reimagining of the Erie Canal as a catalyst for economic growth.

A sweeping new initiative will examine ways in which to boost local economies, inspire new opportunities for tourism and creation and strengthen environmental resiliency along the Erie Canal.
A sweeping new initiative will examine ways in which to boost local economies, inspire new opportunities for tourism and creation and strengthen environmental resiliency along the Erie Canal.

The sweeping initiative will examine ways in which to boost local economies, inspire new opportunities for tourism and creation and strengthen environmental resiliency along the historic waterway. A key pillar of the initiative is Cuomo’s Reimagine the Canal Task Force.

“The Erie Canal Corridor is one of New York’s most iconic assets and remains a key economic driver for the region and the state,” Cuomo said in a statement Friday. “The canal helped make New York the Empire State and this initiative will reimagine the canal and adapt it for new uses in upstate communities, furthering Upstate New York’s unprecedented growth.”

The initiative will:
• Identify potential new uses for the Erie Canal aimed at improving the quality of life for New Yorkers;
• Evaluate how the canal can support and enhance economic development along the canal corridor;
• Find new opportunities to enhance recreation and tourism along the Erie Canal;
• Assess how the canal can help mitigate impacts from flooding and ice jams to improve resilience and restore ecosystems in canal communities; and
• Identify opportunities for using the Erie Canal infrastructure to expand irrigation for Western New York farms.

The task force is an outgrowth of the Reimagine the Canals Competition, which was held last year by the New York Power Authority and its subsidiary, New York State Canal Corp. The competition rewarded the best ideas to enable New York’s canals to serve as an engine of economic development or spark new forms of recreation.

Submissions for the competition came from nine states and seven countries, including India and Vietnam.

“The New York Canal System is not only an iconic recreational destination, it is also an essential part of our economic past, present and future,” Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “As we kick off the 2019 canal season we launch the next phase of Reimagine the Canals with a task force to guide bold and innovative new ideas.”

The task force—which will be chaired by Joanie Mahoney, New York State Thruway Authority chair and former Onondaga County executive—will explore many of the ideas that the competition has already produced. Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Inc. president and CEO Bob Duffy will serve as regional co-chairman in Western New York.

“I am honored by this appointment from Gov. Cuomo to serve as a Reimagine the Canals regional chair,” Duffy said. “The Erie Canal helped spark the surge of the upstate economy and remains an important part of New York’s history. This initiative will identify ways for our canal system to further support the economy now and into the future.”

The panel is expected to examine how canal infrastructure can be used to increase the reliability of the water supply to farms in Western New York—which now draw water from the canal—and can enable additional land to be used for agriculture.

“The Erie Canal is an important water source to a number of farms along its western banks,” state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said. “This task force offers the opportunity to now look at expanding the use of the canal to minimize the risk of drought on our farms and support the production of high-value crops, specifically fruits and vegetables.”

Helping guide the task force will be the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, a part of the State University of New York. It will work to engage stakeholders and canal communities, a process that will include a series of public meetings across the state where residents, business owners and municipal leaders can provide input on the canal’s future.

The reimagining initiative builds on other state efforts to invest in the canal corridor, including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Taste NY, which have attracted new industries, businesses and housing in canal communities. Hochul also noted that a new vessel has been dedicated in honor of suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

The Erie Canal was an engineering marvel when it opened in 1825, linking the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. The New York State Canal System, formerly known as the Barge Canal, opened May 15, 1918.

The Canal Corp. notes that in 1829, some 3,640 bushels of wheat were transported down the canal from Buffalo. By 1837, this figure had increased to 500,000 bushels; four years later it reached 1 million. In nine years, canal tolls more than recouped the entire cost of construction.

The navigation season on the canal system, which includes the Erie Canal, was postponed in some areas due to high water flows stemming from heavy rains and snow melt. The season officially opened Friday and will continue through Oct. 16.

Fees have been waved for recreational vessels for the third continuous year.

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NYPA adds funding for electric vehicle loans

The New York Power Authority has approved an additional $3 million in funding to continue a zero-interest loan program for municipalities and cooperatives to purchase electric vehicles.

Photo: City of Rochester
Photo: City of Rochester

The funding, approved last week, builds on the $8 million dedicated since 2003 for the agency’s Municipal and Rural Cooperative Electric Utilities Electric-Drive Vehicle Program, which provides financial assistance to replace less fuel-efficient vehicles in municipalities and rural electricity co-ops.

“NYPA has created an effective program that has successfully integrated dozens of electric vehicles and hybrids into municipal fleets,” NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones said in a statement. “This additional funding will allow us to continue these clean energy partnerships as part of our expanding effort to encourage EV use and lead infrastructure expansion across New York State.”

NYPA plays a pivotal role in moving the electric transportation sector forward, as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide 40 percent by 2030 and make the state 100 percent carbon-neutral by 2040 as part of his Green New Deal.

Municipalities and rural electric co-op utilities apply to the NYPA for zero-interest financing to purchase passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, off-road specialty vehicles and heavy-duty utility bucket trucks, officials explain. The vehicles are used by the utilities’ personnel or their affiliated municipal agencies to carry out their functions.

Officials said the savings from zero-interest financing, reduced fuel costs and lower maintenance expenses can be passed on to ratepayers. Since 2003, 73 clean-technology vehicles have been placed with 24 towns and villages statewide.

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Reimagine the Canals winners announced

(Photo: Velvet Spicer)
(Photo: Velvet Spicer)

Two vastly different plans to drive economic growth and tourism on the state’s 524-mile canal system will receive funding through the Reimagine the Canals competition.

The $1.5 million award recipient was the team of Madison County Planning Department, STREAM Collaborative and Camoin Associates, whose project involves Canalside Pocket Neighborhoods.

The winners said the idea for the project stemmed from the realization that the canal has transformed from its original purpose—to transport goods from the East Coast to the Great Lakes and beyond—to more recreational uses.

The winning program calls for creating “pocket neighborhoods” that would take advantage of the beauty of the Erie Canal and trailway. Homes would surround a common greenspace and have direct access to the canal to respond to the “growing preference of millennials, families and seniors” to live somewhere that’s walkable to shopping, restaurants and other amenities.

New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a gathering in Rochester Wednesday to announce the winners of the Reimagine the Canals competition. (Photo: New York Power Authority)
New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a gathering in Rochester Wednesday to announce the winners of the Reimagine the Canals competition. (Photo: New York Power Authority)

The pilot will take place in the Madison County Village of Canastota, east of Syracuse, officials said. Canastota Mayor Carla DeShaw said the program will bring both commerce and people to the State of New York.

The second place, $500,000 winner of the competition was the team of Parks & Trails New York, AREA4 and Joe Gustainis, whose plan is for an Erie Armada, a multi-day festival and boat race with beer at its center.

The plan calls for custom human-powered boats created by breweries racing in teams. The boats will feature items you might see in bars, while the festivities will include music and food from local food trucks and restaurants, as well as new beers created for the armada by the competing breweries.

“This project will remind people that canals aren’t just a nice place to visit but a great place to live,” said Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of the NYPA, which operates the state canal system as a subsidiary.

The Reimagine the Canals competition, announced a year ago in Syracuse as part of the World Canals Conference, was designed to solicit programs and initiatives that promote the canal system and its trails as tourist destinations, locations for sustainable economic development and support the long-term financial sustainability of the New York State Canal Corp.

“We believe that competitions are the best way to bring the greatest minds together,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who joined Quiniones and Canal Corp. Director Brian Stratton in Rochester Wednesday to make the announcement. Hochul said she was unsure if the competition would be an annual event.

The Erie Canal was an engineering marvel when it opened in 1825, linking the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. The New York State Canal System, formerly

NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones in Rochester Wednesday. (Photo: NYPA)
NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones in Rochester Wednesday. (Photo: NYPA)

known as the Barge Canal, opened May 15, 1918.

“As an Upstater who lives near the Erie Canal and frequent visitor to canal communities, I know how Reimagine the Canals can unlock even more potential to make this a major tourism magnet,” Hochul said. “The part of history that I love most about the Erie Canal is not just the flow of water and the flow of commerce, but it’s the flow of ideas.”

The New York Power Authority and Canal Corp. received 145 entries from seven countries. Quiniones said the organization next year will announce a long-term strategy for the canal system, and those entries would be the basis for further discussion.

“Our commitment to the canals will not waver,” Quiniones said.

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First electric vehicle charger rebate available

Blink DC fast charger (photo by ECOtality)
Blink DC fast charger
(photo by ECOtality)

The State of New York has made $5 million available as part of the first rebate designed for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the new Charge Ready NY initiative provides a $4,000 rebate per charging port for public or private employers, building owners, municipalities and nonprofit organizations to install Level 2 charging stations.

Level 2 charging stations provide up to 25 miles of electric range per hour of charging.

“New York continues to lead the nation in reducing our carbon footprint by aggressively investing in clean transportation methods,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “By expanding public access to electric vehicle charging stations, this program will make it more affordable for New Yorkers to make the switch to an environmentally friendly electric vehicle, resulting in a cleaner, greener New York for all.”

The rebate is designed for public parking lots that have at least 10 parking spaces and are open to the public at least 12 hours per day, five days per week. Workplaces that have at least 10 parking spaces that serve a minimum of 15 employees who work at or near the lot, such as office buildings and schools, also are eligible to apply for the rebate. Multi-unit housing facilities qualify for the rebate if they have at least eight parking spaces that primarily serve a building with five or more housing units.

“Through initiatives like Charge Ready NY, Gov. Cuomo is helping New Yorkers join the clean transportation revolution that is taking place in our state,” NYSERDA CEO Alicia Barton said. “Combined with the Drive Clean Rebate, which provides rebates for the purchase of electric vehicles, this initiative is helping reduce emissions by making cleaner modes of transportation a possibility for more and more drivers.”

The installation of charging stations for public use supports the governor’s ambitious clean energy goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. The Charge Ready NY rebate can save up to 80 percent of a typical charging station’s installation cost.

“The buildout of an extensive electric car charging network is key to getting more New Yorkers to drive low-emission vehicles and bringing New York State that much closer to its clean energy goals,” New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil Quiniones said. “Our new EVolve NY electric vehicle initiative focuses on addressing infrastructure barriers and our ongoing joint efforts with NYSERDA will help bring more fast chargers to qualifying businesses and nonprofits through our workplace charging programs across the state.

Announced in May, EVolve NY is a $250 million investment by the NYPA to expand an electric vehicle initiative. The initial phase of funding directs $40 million to be allocated to three primary new programs through the end of 2019, including interstate fast chargers, airport fast chargers near John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports and EV model communities.

In March 2017, the state launched its Drive Clean Rebate program, which provides residents with a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase or lease of a new plug-in hybrid or battery electric care. More than 6,600 New Yorkers have received rebates in the last year for 35 different types of cars; since its launch, more than 9,000 New York residents have received rebates totaling more than $12 million.

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State to commit $250 million to support electric vehicles

stock-photo_electric-car_585x329The State of New York plans to invest $250 million to expand an electric vehicle initiative statewide.

EVolve NY, in conjunction with the New York Power Authority, also will seek public/private partnerships through 2025 to aggressively accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles throughout New York. NYPA will launch several new initiatives to co-invest with private sector partners, collaborate with partners on identifying new business and ownership models and increase customer awareness about EVs and charging.

“New York has an incredible opportunity to move the needle on greenhouse gas reduction and get more electronic vehicles on the road by building more charging stations to ensure New Yorkers can drive them from one end of the state to the other,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday in a news release. “With the NYPA EVolve NY initiative we are making a significant move to make driving an electric car a viable choice and an affordable option that can make significant strides in cleaning the air for all New Yorkers.”

The investment aims to expand New York’s fast charger infrastructure and make EVs more user-friendly for all New Yorkers, officials said.

“The electric vehicle charging industry is growing and with this unique initiative, we will better leverage public dollars and partner with innovators and businesses to build an electric car and charging infrastructure across New York,” said Richard Kauffman, state Chairman of Energy and Finance. “Under Gov. Cuomo, we want to ensure that EV driving New Yorkers and visitors alike are able to travel across New York and the neighboring Northeast corridor confident that they will have a charging station at every turn.”

Over the next seven years, NYPA will commit up to $250 million and partner with the private sector and other stakeholders to attract longer-term private investment and collaborate on programs that will amplify the governor’s Charge NY 2.0 program.

The initial phase of funding, which was approved May 22, directs $40 million to be allocated to three primary new programs through the end of 2019, including interstate fast chargers, airport fast chargers near John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports and EV model communities.

“Electric vehicles are critical to achieving New York’s clean energy goals and the Power Authority is uniquely positioned to make long-term investments to fill market gaps and help catalyze and accelerate EV adoption across the state,” said NYPA CEO and President Gil Quiniones. “We are looking to partner with private businesses in the EV space to help eliminate range anxiety for EV drivers. We will address infrastructure barriers while educating our customers and the public about the many benefits of driving a lower-emission electric vehicle.”

In March 2017, the state launched its Drive Clean Rebate program, which provides residents with a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase or lease of a new plug-in hybrid or battery electric care. More than 6,600 New Yorkers have received rebates in the last year for 35 different types of cars.

“The future of electric vehicles in our state will have an important impact on the environment and the economy,” said Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, who also serves as Assembly Transportation Chairman. “The Governor’s plan to expand infrastructure will make low emission vehicles an option for more New Yorkers. I strongly support his efforts to move our state forward.”

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SUNY Brockport gets energy efficiency training grant

The State University College at Brockport received a grant of more than $220,000 from the state, it was announced on Thursday, (Feb. 8) to fund a training program for facilities workers to become more knowledgeable in energy efficiency.

Brockport will develop a training program for using the digital energy data management system, known as New York Energy Manager, or NYEM, which is located in Albany and operated by the New York Power Authority. The grant comes from the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority.

“Sustainability and strategic partnerships are two themes within my vision for SUNY, and this training program is an example of these themes at work,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina J. Johnson. “Thank you to President (Heidi) Macpherson and the SUNY College at Brockport team for creating a training program that is scalable throughout SUNY, and will have a significant impact on our ability to reach state and national benchmarks in energy efficiency.”

Johnson noted that SUNY represents more than 40 percent of all state-owned buildings, making the colleges a fitting place to demonstrate new methods of energy conservation.

“We anticipate a reduction in our annual energy spend by at least 5 percent as a result of this project, saving approximately $260,000 per year,” Macpherson said. “One of our strategic goals is to be a sustainable institution for the 21stcentury, and this program moves us further down that road.”

NYEM gathers energy-use data from participating buildings and performances an analysis on hidden costs and inefficiencies of energy usage and also provides guidance on becoming more efficient. Johnson said the training program could be offered throughout the SUNY system later on.

Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of NYPA, said the organization is “excited to partner with SUNY on this initiative, which will enable us to further leverage New York Energy Manager to reduce energy use for our customers across the state.”

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N.Y. receives 145 ideas for improving canal system

rs-eriecanalThe New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corp. have received 145 entries in their global competition to find the best ideas to reimagine the state canal system in order to drive economic growth upstate and grow tourism.

The Reimagine the Canals Competition was announced last fall at the World Canals Conference in Syracuse, as the state celebrated the Erie Canal’s bicentennial.

“I am excited at the positive response to our Reimagine the Canals competition,” NYPA President and CEO Gil Quiniones said in a statement. The NYPA operates the canal system as a subsidiary. “It’s apparent that this competition has sparked a lot of creative thinking about how to ensure New York’s canals can prosper today and in the decades to come.”

Submissions for the competition came from nine states and seven countries, including India and Vietnam. Eight finalists are expected to be announced in April, with the final winning entries slated to be named in September.

The goals of the competition include soliciting programs and initiatives that promote the canal system as a tourist destination and recreational asset, and as a source of sustainable economic development. Initiatives also were sought that uphold the heritage of the canal system, as well as the long-term financial sustainability of the Canal Corp.

Entries were submitted on two separate tracks, one for infrastructure; the other for programs that have the potential to increase recreational use and tourism.

A global panel of judges will select up to eight finalists, who will receive up to $50,000 to further develop their proposals for the final round. The judges then will recommend two or more winners, who will receive $250,000 to $1.5 million, depending on the scope of the project.

“This is a rare opportunity to forge a new direction for an iconic asset that shaped not only the history of this state, but the nation as well,” said Brian Stratton, Canal Corp. director. “I’m confident many great ideas will emerge from this competition that point toward a bright future for our canals.”

Two centuries after Gov. DeWitt Clinton was convinced by a bankrupt farmer to build a 363-mile channel connecting the East Coast to areas in the Midwest, the Erie Canal was the center of attention last summer, as towns and villages, businesses and community leaders came together to celebrate the engineering marvel.

The first shovels hit the dirt in Rome, Oneida County, on July 4, 1817. Dubbed “Clinton’s Folly” and “Clinton’s Big Ditch,” the Erie Canal was built mostly by immigrants and opened eight years after construction began.

The Canal Corp. notes that in 1829, some 3,640 bushels of wheat were transported down the canal from Buffalo. By 1837, this figure had increased to 500,000 bushels; four years later it reached 1 million. In nine years, canal tolls more than recouped the entire cost of construction.

With growing competition from railroads and highways, commercial traffic on the canal system declined dramatically during the 20th century. But the New York State Canal System is enjoying a revival as a recreational and historic resource.

This week the Canal Corp. board of directors approved a plan to waive tolls for recreational vessels in 2018, as the state continues to commemorate 200 years of Erie Canal history by marking the 100th anniversary of the current 524-mile canal system’s opening in 1918.

This is the second year that tolls—normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel—have been waived. Last year, recreational boaters traveled for free to celebrate the bicentennial of the start of construction for the Erie Canal. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Barge Canal’s first opening to traffic.

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State money for geothermal exploration available

Two state authorities are making nearly $4 million available to help schools, government buildings and health care facilities install large-scale geothermal energy systems.

The $3.8 million Geothermal Clean Energy Challenge was announced jointly Wednesday, Dec. 6, by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York Power Authority. The initiative is part of the state’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent across New York by 2030.

“Geothermal energy can be an ideal, cost-conscious, and clean solution to heating and cooling buildings in New York,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “NYPA is excited to partner with NYSERDA on this initiative. We look forward to seeing the implementation of clean geothermal systems at many sites throughout the state as this Challenge gets underway.”

The challenge can help facilities determine if they’re good sites for installing geothermal pumps that transfer heat to and from the ground to save on energy costs. Up to 75 applications will be accepted, through March 30. Each application will receive a free summary report analyzing the viability of a geothermal system for the applicant. Up to 25 applicants will be eligible to receive up to $125,000 in matching funds for design studies. Other funds are available for project construction, if approved. Applications can be submitted online through the Geothermal Challenge website. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].

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