Hicksville, NY—October 25, 2001—The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Ford Motor Company, and the towns of Oyster Bay and Huntington are partnering to provide a clean, green alternative for a select group of Long Island Rail Road commuters.

LIPA, NYPA and Ford’s electric vehicle group, TH!NK Mobility, today launched on Long Island the "NYPA/TH!NK Clean Commute," a commuter station car demonstration program using the TH!NK city electric vehicle (EV). The project is designed to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion as well as promote national energy independence.

"This is an excellent initiative," said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. "It's a great way to promote and demonstrate the environmental benefits of alternative energy vehicles. The program coincides with the goals of LIPA's and Governor Pataki’s Clean Energy Initiative, which is a multi-year, $170 million effort to promote energy conservation and efficiency, and develop alternative energy technologies.”

Representing NYPA Chairman Joseph J. Seymour, Luis Rodriguez, Director of Southeastern New York Public and Government Affairs, said, “The NYPA/Th!nk Clean Commute electric station car program is the largest EV project of its kind in the nation. This effort is a direct result of Governor Pataki’s environmental protection goals and clean fuel vehicle initiatives.”

The front wheel drive TH!NK CITY electric vehicle has a top speed of 56 miles per hour and a range of 53 miles (city). The TH!NK CITY electric vehicle comes complete with a radio/CD player, driver side air bags and can be recharged in four to six hours.

Ford will lease the TH!NK City EV to commuters in Nassau and Suffolk counties for $199 per month. “Clean Commute” participants will be able to use charging stations at the Hicksville or Huntington train stations where their vehicles will be repowered during the workday in reserved parking spaces and ready to go for the trip home. The towns of Huntington and Oyster Bay, working with the LIRR, will set aside parking spaces at their respective train stations for the electric vehicles. LIPA will provide and install charging stations at these parking spaces. LIPA will also install charging stations at the participants’ homes free of charge to broaden the opportunity for greater vehicle use.

The first step in applying for the NYPA/TH!NK Clean Commute Program is to fill out the application, which can be found on NYPA’s web site. The next step involves an applicant screening process. Qualified applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“The TH!NK CITY is a two passenger car designed exactly for programs such as “Clean Commute,” said Rob Stevens, president of TH!NK mobility. “Battery electric vehicles are perfect for this kind of program where limited miles are driven each day. We’re happy the State of New York continues to support alternative fuel solutions.”

“This innovative approach to relieving some of our region’s traffic congestion—and the resulting air pollution—is a welcome step in the right direction, and the energy independence it will promote is more valuable than ever,” said LIRR President Ken Bauer. “We know this project will have a positive impact, and we are proud and eager to take part in it.”

"The TH!NK CITY EV not only offers an emission-free ride, it can also provide an all-electric commute when combined with electric-powered commuter trains. MTA commuter rail and subways are powered with electricity supplied by the Power Authority, " said Eugene W. Zeltmann, NYPA’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Zeltmann also serves as Co-Chairman of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas.

"As the former ranking member of the Energy Committee and the current ranking member of the Transportation Committee, I fully understand the importance of developing new technology to make our daily commute more efficient. By promoting new energy sources for transportation, such as electric cars, we are doing our part to protect our natural resources and the environment. I applaud the efforts of the New York Power Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to provide Hicksville Commuters with these THINK CITY electric cars," said Assemblyman Marc Herbst.

“This program highlights Governor Pataki’s commitment to working with the private sector and our local government leaders to find smart innovative solutions
to improve the quality of our air and conserve energy,” Assemblyman John Flanagan said. “It is a pleasure to work with the Governor to find ways to protect our environment by conserving energy, cutting emissions and promoting the use of cleaner, more efficient energy sources.”

“This is an important step in energy reduction and fuel efficiency, and by working in partnership with LIPA, we will be able to fully demonstrate the benefits of these vehicles,” said Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone. “I am excited about the possibilities of utilizing this new technology in a variety of ways to reduce both fuel usage and emissions, two very important goals.”

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto said, “the Town is pleased to participate in this environmentally responsible program. Oyster Bay has always been conscientious of the environment and by joining this program, the Town is promoting a clean and healthy environment while offering a nimble, fun-to-drive electric powered car for our commuter residents.”

LIPA will provide $300,000 for the incremental cost of the electric vehicle infrastructure. Additional support and funding will be provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York City Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

LIPA is participating in the TH!NK CITY electric vehicle program as part of its multi-year Clean Energy Initiative, which will expend $170 million on a number of energy conservation/energy efficiency programs, as well as programs that will help develop and implement programs that use alternative energy technologies.

"Governor Pataki is a strong advocate for using the State’s resources to partner with communities and industries to preserve our environmental resources and promote economic development," said NYSERDA Chairman Vincent A. DeIorio. "This project is a perfect example of how we can achieve those goals. Electric vehicles will help us improve air quality in our urban centers, reduce our reliance on imported petroleum, and ultimately create new job opportunities in this emerging industry."

"The New York State Department of Transportation, with the fervent support of Governor Pataki, is proud to have played an integral role in the effort to offer mass transit users throughout suburban New York City an opportunity to take part in this exciting new clean commute program," New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman said. "Working together with state and local agencies and Ford Motor Company, we are confident that this program will promote both the environmental benefits of clean fuel vehicle technologies and the benefits of mass transit use."

The New York Power Authority’s electric transportation program has deployed 200 electric vehicles, ranging from full-sized transit buses to battery-powered bicycles. Last year, NYPA-deployed electric vehicles reached the "Million EV-Mile" mark. NYPA was the first electric utility in the northeast to achieve that electric vehicle benchmark.

Seeking ways to help reduce car and truck emissions on Long Island, the Long Island Power Authority has developed a program to encourage greater use of Electric Vehicles (EV’s) islandwide. LIPA's program lends EV’s, for up to three months, to businesses and governments on Long Island to demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of including electric powered cars, trucks, and utility vehicles in their respective fleets

To learn more about conserving electricity, LIPA customers can call the EnergyWise Infoline at 1-800-692-2626 or visit LIPA's Web site at www.lipower.org.

The Long Island Power Authority owns the electric retail business on Long Island. LIPA provides electric service to nearly 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.