Details about this story

• Source: Syracuse Post-Standard
• Date: March 26, 2006
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: Michelle Breidenbach
• Topics: State Government , Utilities
• Data Types: State Data
• Description/Excerpt: Today's NYPA also serves as an ATM, providing the governor with millions for economic development and energy-efficiency projects. The authority subsidizes the power bills of hundreds of businesses. NYPA also has spent millions on green technology, including a fuel cell for a Bronx Zoo exhibit for lemurs, tortoises and hissing cockroaches. NYPA has handed out 798 electric and hybrid-electric cars, trucks, buses and mowers. Because the authority needs community support for its power plants, it pays for soccer clubs, music festivals, fireworks and fire departments. Its visitor centers screen "Star Wars" movies and host photo sessions with Santa and the Easter Bunny. The authority also budgets almost $1 million a year for executives to hand out to charitable causes as they see fit.