With strong feelings of discontent for the inconveniences that The New York Power Authority's (NYPA) Niagara Power Project has laid upon the citizens of Niagara County, NYPA is in the finalization process of an aid package that has the potential to grant over $100 million for large scale economic development projects throughout the county. Although the scale of the package has not been officially released NYPA President and CEO Richard Kessel has compared it to the sum that Buffalo received for the development of the Erie Canal Harbor/downtown waterfront which totaled $105 million.
The Water Quality Improvement Program, a program within the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Environmental Protection Fund, has awarded $61.5 million for water quality improvement and pollution reduction projects. The funding will cover more than 3/4 of the total costs for more than 40 projects throughout New York State. In order to reduce surface runoff Syracuse has been granted $3 million for the development of green infrastructure on civic strip. In Rochester, $2 million has been allocated for the construction of green roofs, which will filter storm water and reduce surface runoff while providing superior building insulation.
On November 8th and 9th more than 1,300 people gathered at the New York Hilton in New York City for the Advanced Energy 2010 conference which showcased emerging clean technologies in New York State, the entrepreneurs involved in their development and state characteristics that have catalyzed such progress. The conference, which was put on by the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center at Stony Brook University, proved New York to be a critical hub of technological innovation as well as possessing a unique network of resources/assets to support the growth of clean technology businesses. Such resources include a highly developed educational infrastructure, supportive public agencies, incentivizing policies and an extensive network of investors. After the conference Governor David Patterson, who has recently released a climate action plan of his own, announced that "New York's unique qualities will ensure that the State's clean energy economy continues its significant growth", a viewpoint shared with the future governor, Andrew Cuomo.
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division has contracted ATK, an aerospace and defense company, to design and build two hydrogen fuel cell powered utility vehicles for military use. Although headquartered in Minnesota, the project will take place at ATK's Center for Energy and Aerospace Innovation in Ronkonkoma, NY. To develop such vehicles ATK has partnered with Toro, a landscaping equipment manufacture that has recently completed a NYSERDA funded project to develop, manufacture and test three hydrogen powered utility vehicles.
The Raymond Corporation, a company specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of lift trucks, has developed a hydrogen fuel cell powered stand-up counter balance lift truck. The company, which is headquartered in Greene, NY has a history of producing some of the most energy efficient lift trucks on the market. Due to rapid refuel times and sustained power hydrogen lift trucks have the potential to dramatically improve warehouse productivity while emitting only water.
Precision Flow Technologies Inc., a global leader in the manufacture of high tech equipment for solar, semiconductor and LED production equipment suppliers has received a $1.5 million grant from NYSERDA. The funding will enable the company to increase its capacity to manufacture solar thin film and LED production equipment. The company is headquartered in "Tech City" a clean technology commercial/light industry complex in Kingston, NY.