NYPA Announces Opening of NY Energy Zone in Utica on May 10

For Immediate Release: 05/06/21

Contact: media.inquiries@nypa.gov | (914) 681-6770

COVID-19 Safety Precautions in Place; Reservations Required

 

See Photos of the New NYPA Visitors Center

WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority today announced the opening of its newly constructed NY Energy Zone, an admission-free NYPA visitors center in Utica that provides an immersive, interactive, state-of-the-art museum experience focused on the past, present and future of energy in New York State. Beginning on Monday, May 10, and in accordance with New York State Indoor Family Entertainment Centers guidelines, the facility will be open for small, guided tours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

The 15,000-square-foot facility is designed for visitors of all ages and features unique exhibits that simulate flying a drone to check power transmission lines, controlling electricity on a model energy grid, operating a simulated power plant, and building a table-top micro power grid, along with many other activities designed to teach visitors about energy and electricity in New York State.

 

Visitors can also experience “Imagination!”—the first movie of its kind utilizing 3-D MAGI film generation, by famed cinematographer and director Douglas Trumbull, who is known for his visual effects photography in the films 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and Blade Runner (1982), among others. The 3-D movie aims to enlighten viewers about Nikola Tesla and his lasting contributions to the electricity system of today.

 

NYPA has added a reservation system that allows for scheduling limited, 60-minute guided tours. To reserve a tour, you can also call 315-792-8720 or email EnergyZone@nypa.gov.

 

To protect visitors and NYPA employees, the Power Authority has implemented safety precautions that include state-of-the-art indoor air filtration systems, visitor health screenings and temperature checks, and between-tour facility cleanings. For the safety of visitors, all the hands-on exhibits will be demonstrated by tour guides. All visitors must wear masks; tour guides will wear masks as well. Further information on health and safety entry requirements are available online.

 

The visitors center, which is affiliated with the Power Authority’s Frederick R. Clark Energy Center—the hub of its statewide power transmission control center, located in Marcy—was dedicated to former NYPA Chairman John S. Dyson at a naming ceremony held on April 23.

 

Last week, the Power Authority announced the limited reopening of its other three visitors centers around the state: the Niagara Power Vista in Western New York, the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center and Historic Lansing Manor in Schoharie County, and the Hawkins Point Visitors Center in the North Country.

 

Due to changing conditions in response to COVID-19, up-to-date information regarding all of the Power Authority’s visitors centers will be available at nypa.gov/VisitorsCenters.

 

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state electric utility in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit‑miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information, visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.