Local News
SAFETY: Fuel cells enable emergency contact
Medina — HYDROGEN FUEL: Statewide implementation offers clean energy technology during emergencies.
BY MIRANDA VAGG
vaggm@gnnewspaper.com
Fuel cell technology provides efficient and clean energy.
The Fuel Cells for Emergency Communications program is a combination of efforts from the New York Power Authority and the New York State Police. The $434,000 program will be used to set up fuel cell technology enabling backup power at 22 public safety communications facilities, including one in Albion.
“These fuel cell installations will keep state communications on-line when they are often needed the most, during power outages and other emergency situations,” said Timothy S. Carey, NYPA’s president and chief executive officer in a statement released Thursday.
The implementation of hydrogen backup power for state communications facilities across New York will work to keep people informed during power failures.
The New York State Department of Transportation tower located in Albion is a communications tower utilized by both the State Police and DOT, said DOT Assistant Engineer Rich Lovelace.
The facility handles communications in Western New York and was disabled during the October snow emergency. The use of fuel cell backup power in the future would allow communications facilities to operate as normal in the event of a power outage.
“Part of it is they’ll be able to generate electricity for the tower in the event of a power failure,” Lovelace said.
The hydrogen fuel would be brought to the site in a container comparable to a propane tank, which is then hooked into a unit on the energy transmitter, converting hydrogen into energy, according to Lovelace.
Currently New York State is also working on building a statewide wireless communications network so state workers don’t have to depend on Verizon, Cingular or other wireless providers, according to Lovelace. The network would allow for open communication between crews that would otherwise not be available if communication towers are disabled and left without a backup energy supply.
“It’s been in the works for a while,” Lovelace said. “I think a lot of people are going to do this throughout the country. (Hurricane) Katrina was a pretty good lesson learned.”
The fuel cell technology that would be used to power the communications tower is a clean energy technology, according to Carey.
“The Power Authority has undertaken more than a dozen fuel cell projects, in various types of applications using different fuel sources, to demonstrate reductions in air pollution and the advantages of distributed power supply,” he said.
Unlike traditional technologies, which can be “unpredictable, expensive to maintain and harmful to the environment,” the fuel cells offer backup power without damaging the environment through emission, Carey stated.
Funding for the FC4EC program will be provided from Petroleum Overcharge Restitution funds. The money comes from proceeds of court settlements relating to oil company violations of federal price controls in the 1970s and 1980s.
Contact Miranda Vagg at (585) 798-1400, Ext. 2225.
- Local News
-
-
Teens accused of harassing mosque parishioners
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Dad gets 6 months in child's death
An Orleans County man who pleaded guilty in June to criminally negligent homicide in his daughter’s death was sentenced Monday to serve six months in jail.
-
Teens accused of harassing Carlton mosque
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Community Action helps children prepare for school
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee completed its annual back to school drive Thursday, helping more than 200 children get supplies.
-
Remembering 9/11
Each year a group gathers in Albion to remember those who lost their lives that September day nine years ago. Holding tributes and candlelight vigils, the Orleans County American Legion has hosted the event to pay tribute to those involved in 9/11.
-
Special gift pushes trust campaign over the top
The Sandstone Trust of Medina has exceeded its 2010 summer campaign goal on the strength of a very special memorial gift which was made public this week. The immediate family of the late Fern J. Blackburn (widow of Paul R. Blackburn) presented a major contribution to the Trust committee in an amount equaling 20 percent of the entire summer campaign goal of $25,000. With this support, the total of summer gifts stands today at approx. $27,000, leaders said.
-
District confirms leave of absence
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department issued an appearance ticket Aug. 21, requiring a district administrator to appear in Batavia Town Court next month to answer a charge of driving while intoxicated. The Holley Central School District can confirm that the administrator has been on leave since Aug. 3, which includes the alleged time of the incident.
-
Village improves skateboard agreement
The Village of Albion board had good news for skateboarders and Santa Clauses on Wednesday, approving the Town of Albion’s offer to help pay for skate park equipment and offering to assist with the upcoming celebration of legendary Santa Claus Charles Howard.
-
Fifty-six years strong for Camp Rainbow Fund
The Camp Rainbow Fund, which inherited its new name six months ago from the former Journal-Register Camp Fund, continued this summer to do good work on behalf of children in Orleans County. A total of $5,074 was raised from the public to send boys and girls “into the sunshine of Camp Rainbow,” located on Town Line Road in the northern part of Ridgeway.
-
Natale introduces book about spirituality, sexuality
Maintaining a relationship with God can be difficult for anyone who is tempted by the distractions of everyday life — money, sex, addictions. But faith goes deeper than the labels affixed to these indulgences and the churches people go to seeking guidance.
- More Local News Headlines
-
