LIPA Donates Energy Saving Electric Vehicles to Far Rockaway

Far Rockaway, NY—September 14, 2004—In an effort to promote greater use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the region, Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Chairman Richard M. Kessel today announced the donation five electrically powered GEM cars for use by local agencies in Far Rockaway, Queens. The GEM car is manufactured by Global Electric Motorcars, a company of DaimlerChrysler, which donated the GEM vehicles to LIPA’s Clean Energy Initiative. LIPA determined that local municipalities could benefit from having the EVs in their vehicle fleets.

The five low-speed, all-electric vehicles are being donated to the Peninsula Hospital Center (2), the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) (1) and the New York City Parks Department (2).

“LIPA is committed to developing clean energy alternatives,” said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. “These GEM vehicles will be used in place of fossil-fuel burning vehicles, thus leading the way to less pollution and a cleaner environment in the Rockaways.”
The non-polluting GEM is a low-speed, limited-use vehicle that can travel at a maximum speed of 25 mph. It has a range of approximately 30 miles per charge and can be used on roads where the speed limit does not exceed 35 mph. No special charging infrastructure is required, since the GEM can be re-charged using a standard 110-volt outlet.

Robert V. Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Peninsula Hospital Center, said, “We are very appreciative of this opportunity to acquire these electric vehicles. Our hospital has always prided itself on acquiring the latest in technology to treat our patients, so we are extremely pleased to be using the latest in environmental technology.”

Peninsula Hospital Center, which received two GEMs, plans to use the vehicles to travel and patrol its large campus.

“The donation of a GEM vehicle to the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC ) shows the Long Island Power Authority’s commitment to environmentally sensitive development and their pursuit of environmental conservation,” said Curtis Archer, RDRC Executive Director. “RDRC’s use of the GEM vehicle throughout the Peninsula will alert Rockaway residents to LIPA’s dedication to the exploration of alternative fuels for the future.”

RDRC is a not-for-profit local development corporation that serves as a catalyst for the community’s revitalization by initiating community development activities that remove barriers to economic growth, stimulate the economy and create jobs. They are using their GEM car to travel the 11-mile Rockaway peninsula more efficiently.

The New York City Department of Parks is utilizing its two GEMs at Bayswater City Park and other venues in Far Rockaway. This will reduce their reliance on gasoline-powered vehicles to travel the parks and improve the overall air quality in the area.

"Electric vehicles are just one component of LIPA's Clean Energy Initiative, which is designed to foster the development and use of new energy-efficient technologies and the utilization of proven technologies," said Mr. Kessel. “Governor Pataki and LIPA are working together to foster energy independence in New York.”

LIPA’s Clean Energy Initiative is a ten-year, $355-million-dollar program devised by Governor George Pataki that is designed to promote energy conservation and the efficient use of electricity, while fostering the development and use of alternative energy technologies. The CEI seeks to help residential and commercial customers reduce electric usage and costs, while improving Long Island's environment through a wide range of programs.

Those interested in learning more about LIPA’s Clean Energy Initiative can visit www.lipower.org, or call 1-800-692-2626. For more information on the GEM visit www.gemcar.com.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric utility, owns the retail electric system on Long Island and provides electric service to nearly 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA does not own any on-island electric generation assets, and it does not provide natural gas service.

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