BESICORP-EMPIRE PROJECT
November 2002 Progress Update Newsletter

November 2002
PROGRESS UPDATE

Settlement Process
Besicorp-Empire Development Company, LLC (BEDCO) officials and the Department of Public Service (DPS) have agreed to enter a 90 day settlement negotiation process, which will postpone or replace the administrative hearings that were scheduled to begin December 2, 2002. The settlement negotiation process was recommended by the DPS as a positive and constructive way to address the issues of the Active Parties outside of the adjudicatory hearing process. The settlement negotiation process has begun and includes all Active Parties.

Local Office
BEDCO is pleased to announce the opening of a storefront office in the City of Rensselaer. The office can be found at 11 Second Avenue, conveniently located across the street from the Rensselaer Post Office. The office will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 7pm or by appointment. Please feel free to stop in or call (518) 465-6751 for any information regarding the proposed projects.

Above: BEDCO’s new office which opened November 1, 2002, located at 11 Second Avenue, in the City of Rensselaer.

Upcoming Activities
Citizen's Advisory Board (CAB) - meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm (excluding holidays), in the Rensselaer City Hall. Persons interested in our proposed projects are encouraged to attend. The next CAB meeting will be November 21, 2002 at 7pm.

Public Open House Regarding Proposed Gas and Electric Transmission Lines - to be held on December 19, 2002, from 3pm to 8pm in the Rensselaer City Hall. Residents in the vicinity of the proposed right-of-ways for the gas and electric transmission lines located in North Greenbush, East Greenbush, Schodack and the City of Rensselaer are especially encouraged to attend. BEDCO and Niagara Mohawk representatives will be available to provide information and answer questions about the proposed transmission lines.

Recent Activities & Featured Events
August 26, 2002 - An Open House was held at the Rensselaer High School Cafeteria by BEDCO. The Open House allowed community members to learn more about the proposed Empire State Newsprint Projects (ESNP) in Rensselaer. To promote maximum interaction and communication, the Open House consisted of a series of information stations on various aspects of the ESNP.

The information stations were staffed with experts who had informal discussions with the Open House attendees. The information stations covered the following categories: Registration/General Information, Economics, Recycled Newsprint Manufacturing, Cogeneration, Visual, Noise, Traffic, Air, and Water.

BEDCO invited the State Agencies and other Active Parties to cover stations at the Open House as well. The DPS, CAB, and the Rensselaer County Greens each staffed stations. Channel 6 news and reporters from local newspapers were also present.

Above: BEDCO’s booth at the Rensselaer Fest/Lucky Duck Derby

September 19 thru 21, 2002 - As part of BEDCO’s continued commitment to the community, BEDCO sponsored the fireworks display for the Rensselaer Fest/Lucky Duck Derby, as well as a BEDCO information booth. The booth gave residents an opportunity to obtain information through hand-outs and visual aids. Also, a BEDCO representative was on site to answer any questions that residents may have had.

September 20, 2002 - BEDCO organized a tour of the Solvay Paperboard recycled paper manufacturing facility in Solvay, NY. The bus tour of Solvay provided elected officials, appointed community representatives and Active Parties with a much improved understanding of what a recycled paper manufacturing facility encompasses, and how it operates.

September 24, 2002 - Remediation meeting at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

As part of the City of Rensselaer’s Beautification Program - BEDCO made a donation to the City of Rensselaer Beautification Program for adding landscaping to a median on the street.

Above: BEDCO’s donation to the City of Rensselaer’s Beautification Program located at the intersection of Broadway and Third Avenue.

BEDCO also offers to do presentations regarding the proposed Electric Power Generation and Newsprint Recycling Facilities to any responsible community group.

How to reach us:

Phone: (518) 465-6751 or (845) 335-7700
Web: www.besicorp.com.

Mail: Besicorp-Empire Development Company, LLC
1151 Flatbush Road, Kingston, NY 12401

11 Second Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144
(Attention Kelly Ballard)

Citizen's Advisory Board Information

Summary of Article X/DEIS Application Supplement

For detailed information regarding the upcoming State Agency activities or
to view their official notices visit:

NYSDPS website at www.dps.state.ny.us/besicorp.htm

NYSDEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ohms/notices/index.htm#4