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New Green Cable Truck Developed At Con Edison

Published in: US Fed News Service, Including US State News
Date: 2/21/2008

Consolidated Edison issued the following news release:

After working for 23 years upgrading Con Edison's electrical equipment in city streets, veteran employee Anthony F. Prettitore understood the need to develop new "green" vehicles while reducing the time city streets are closed during repair work. The outcome: A more powerful vehicle that pulls 13,000-and 27,000-volt cable more quickly and safely reducing the time streets are closed for construction work.

"In addition to making these trucks safer for our employees, all New Yorkers benefit since the vehicles expedite cable removal and installation, frequently eliminating the need to dig up streets that can inconvenience pedestrians and motorists," said John Miksad, Con Edison senior vice president, Electric Operations.

After learning of Prettitore's early suggestions, the company's automotive engineering department quickly assembled a group of employees to research and improve current vehicles. The group's suggestions rose to a new level and the company teamed up with Dejana Utility Trucks of Long Island, New York, to launch a new model for a stronger and more efficient cable truck.

The 21st century vehicle uses the most advanced technology available, including a 70- percent reduction in hydraulic fluid by incorporating a forced-air-cooled hydraulic tank and a variable-displacement pressure-compensating pump, to help create an environmentally friendly vehicle.

The new truck features wireless remote controls, giving the operator an unobstructed view between the truck and manhole, making the operation safer.

In addition, the newly designed vehicle has more pulling capacity and force (12,000 pounds for the old truck vs 20,000 pounds for the new ), making it easier to bring the older cable out from underneath the street. It also can be more easily aligned with the manhole where the cable is to be pulled.

In the tradition of Thomas Edison, who secured more than 1,000 patents, Con Edison encourages its employees to cultivate ideas with the help of the Research and Development Department. The modifications to the cable truck from the company's automotive engineering department exemplify that tradition. The applications focus on greener, smarter and safer innovations. Two trucks are using the new features with 11 more joining the fleet this year.

Con Edison maintains more than 94,000 miles of underground transmission and distribution lines in New York City and Westchester County and operates a fleet of 4,083 vehicles.Contact: Michael Clendenin, 212/460-4111

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