LIPA Chairman Richard Kessel And Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer Dedicate Solar Powered Trash Compactors A Clean and Green Solution to Trash Collection in Rockaway Uniondale, NY-June 9, 2006-Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Chairman Richard M. Kessel and New York Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer today dedicated one of two recently installed solar powered trash compactors in Rockaway to help promote the use of clean and renewable energy alternatives in the community. The solar powered trash compactors will help to reduce the frequency of collections required and the costs (and associated carbon dioxide and pollution emissions from truck traffic) related to solid waste removal efforts. "These solar powered trash compactors store and use the power of the sun to crush up to six bags' worth of garbage into a single bag," Chairman Kessel said. "That saves even more energy because sanitation trucks don't have to empty the waste receptacle as often." The solar-powered, BigBelly Cordless Compaction System(tm) was funded through a grant from LIPA's Clean Energy Initiative (CEI). The Chamber of Commerce of the Rockaways placed one compactor at Tribute Park and the other compactor nearby in front of the A Line subway station on Beach 116th Street in Rockaway Park. LIPA's CEI is a 10-year $355-million program fostered by Governor George Pataki, and is designed to encourage energy conservation, efficient energy use and the development and use of renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal and fuel cells. "The beachfront community of Rockaway is an ideal place to showcase technology that demonstrates the use of clean energy alternatives. I look forward to continuing to work closely with LIPA to encourage energy efficiency and conservation," stated Assemblywoman Pheffer. "The Rockaway Chamber would like to thank Assemblywoman Pheffer for encouraging LIPA to choose Rockaway as the recipient of state of the art technology. We arethrilled to be on the cutting edge of an environmentally friendly way to collect trash and beautify our neighborhood for all who live, work and play here," said John Lepore, President of the Rockaway Chamber of Commerce. The solar compactor purchased under this grant is the "BigBelly" Cordless Compaction System manufactured by Seahorse Power Company. It uses a solar panel to generate energy, stores the energy in a battery pack, then utilizes the energy very efficiently, allowing industrial-strength trash compaction without using electricity from LIPA's system. The Solar Powered BigBelly Cordless Compaction System(tm): "We are committed to providing reliable electric service to the more than 100,000 people who live in Rockaway," Chairman Kessel said. "Cutting edge technology like the solar powered trash compactor will help us meet that commitment with less reliance on fossil fuels. That's a win-win for Rockaway's residents and the environment!" LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric system, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System (T&D) on Long Island and provides electric service to over 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. In terms of customers served, LIPA is the 3rd largest municipal electric utility in the nation and the 6th largest in terms of electricity delivered. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island electric generating assets. ### LIPA Contact Information: News Center Solar Pioneers Press Release 06/09/06 4:27 PM Eastern |
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