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Photo credit: Staff
NYPA Installs Clean Energy Fuel Cell at White Plains Office
By: Lenny Girrier
Published: March 03, 2010
 The New York Power Authority has established a Sustainability Action Plan for 2010-2012. One of the first actions is the installation of a clean operating fuel cell at the NYPA office at 123 Main St. During the “start-up” ceremony, NYPA President and CEO Richard Kessel told Mayor Adam Bradley that the next fuel cell installation would be at White Plains City Hall. A date for that future installation has not been set.
The fuel cell is a demonstration model of a new generation of fuel cells (PureCell System) developed by South Windsor, Conn.-based UTC Power, a division of United Technologies Corp. It is expected to generate 200 kilowatts continuously, or about 1.6 million kilowatt-hours annually, to supply approximately 20 percent of the NYPA building’s annual energy requirement. Waste heat from the unit will be used to heat and cool the office’s lobby areas. The fuel cell’s operation is expected to offset 1,116 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Sub Head: How the Cell Works
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat, and water. In the UTC Power PureCell System this is accomplished in three stages. Natural gas is fed to a processor where it is reformed to hydrogen gas. In a fuel cell stack the hydrogen gas and air are combined in an electrochemical process that produces direct current (DC) power, pure water, and heat. The byproduct water is utilized in the operation of the power plant. The usable heat is available for other energy requirements such as hot water, space heating, air conditioning and cooling. In the final stage, the DC power is conditioned to high quality alternating current (AC) power output.

Sub Head: The Sustainability Plan
According to NYPA the term “sustainability” refers to the practice of meeting economic, environmental and social needs in ways that do not harm future generations. The new plan, titled “Generating Sustainability,” is comprised of five sections representing NYPA’s major areas of activity: workplace, community, environment, marketplace, and operations. The plan includes 21 key focus areas ranging from health and safety to stakeholder engagement to climate change adaptation.
In 2006, the NYPA White Plains office building received Gold-EB (existing building) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program for performance in the areas of sustainable site development, energy efficiency, water savings, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. NYPA also installed a solar system and microturbine that generate energy used in the building.
Among the planned focus areas for 2010-2012, NYPA will continue attention to Green Workspaces the keep work environments healthy for NYPA employees and building visitors. The office uses environmentally friendly cleaning products and materials. In addition, the plan seeks to develop green guidelines for office renovations, which will incorporate LEED Commercial Interior standards that are being implemented in the renovation underway on the building’s fifth floor. The White Plains office building is viewed as a model for other business and government agencies in the region to follow.
The NYPA is a public agency that uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity.
For more information about NYPA visit nypa.gov; UTC Power visit utcpower.com

Photo credit: Staff
A Day On. Not A Day Off.
Making the Most of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
By: By Pat Casey
Published: March 03, 2010
 In 2010, amid cutbacks for social services and a financial climate that has fostered a growing divide between those who have and those who have not, the theme –A Day On. Not a Day Off—of the 17th Annual Thomas H. Slater Center Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast hit right to the mood of our time.

Held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Jan. 18, the tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti was fresh on everyone’s mind and the sentiments of reflection and commentary focused on living a “committed life.”

There were moving presentations of Rev. King’s speeches, hymns sung, and a call to “Remember, Celebrate, and Act.” The room was packed with people from White Plains from all walks of life. The resounding bond was their involvement in one way or another with a local not-for-profit effort. This included members of city and county government who expressed their need to answer a call to action on behalf of others.

Keynote speaker, Rev. Zelda Robinson, co-founder of Made In His Image Ministries, Inc., left the room in silent contemplation as she completed her passionate talk about the value of all persons. “The handshake is a short ritual,” Rev. Robinson said. “It symbolizes trust, balance, and equality. We also extend the right hand when we are lending support to another; when we extend a hand to someone in need.”

Rev. Robinson emphasized that we all have to extend a hand, that we all have something to give, and that when we extend our hand to someone in need we give them hope and we let them know they are still “useful.” “Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has battle wounds and scars. If someone had not prayed for me, had not extended a hand for me, then where would I be? Put all you are celebrating today in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. into an action,” she said. “This is not a day off.”

Other members of the interfaith community in White Plains expressed their concern that community rise to the occasion to do what is right.

 

For more information about the Slater Center visit slatercenter.net

Photo credit: Staff
City Rallies for Haiti Relief
$32,000 Raised for Doctors Without Borders
By: Pat Casey
Published: March 03, 2010
 
Shortly after the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti on Jan. 12 the White Plains city administration met with members of the clergy, several non-profit organizations, and city staff to determine how White Plains could assist the victims. The resulting joint effort was called “White Plains Cares: Haiti Relief 2010.” It was determined at the time that because of the urgent need for medical attention, Doctors Without Borders was the most obvious organization to receive funds. On March 1, a check for $32,000 was presented.
In a last minute surprise, students from White Plains High School announced they were contributing $9,000 to the $23,000 raised by White Plains Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 274 ($13,000), children, youth, families and staff of the White Plains elementary schools ($5,000), and the Youth Bureau’s 5th Annual Dance Benefit ($5,000).
With thousands of White Plains residents having ties to Haiti, the call to action hit close to home. “Supplies for Haiti” will be the focus throughout March and will be organized through the French Speaking Baptist Church, Haitians for Haitians of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and AFYA.
There is a specific list of items being gathered. Drop off points include White Plains Fire Houses, White Plains City Hall (255 Main St.), Dept. of Recreation and Parks (85 Gedney Way)., and Ebersole Ice Rink (53 Lake St.) Call 211 or visit whiteplains.ny.gov for a list of the items requested by each of the local relief organizations.
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