Environmental Leader

New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation is in final contract negotiations with Highland, NY-based Natural Currents Energy Services to build a hybrid wind, solar and tidal-energy power plant on Randall’s Island in the East River, CityLimits reports.

The facility, paid for with U.S. Department of Energy funds, will be the first hybrid plant in the five boroughs when it starts generating power in 2009.

With the city’s overall sustainability plan due in March, the five boroughs could be on the verge of a renewable energy boom.

For instance, Staten Island borough president’s office is studying wind patterns over Fresh Kills for a possible wind power plant.

The tidal turbines Natural Currents is building will have company, too. After two years of testing, Manhattan-based Verdant Power has been lighting the Gristedes supermarket on Roosevelt Island with a tidal turbine since mid-December and plans to build five more.

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