Biz Buzz

LONG ISLAND

MesoScribe lands DOE contract

MesoScribe Technologies Inc., a St. James company that makes high-tech industrial equipment, has secured a $1 million Department of Energy grant to develop wireless sensors for power plants. MesoScribe, whose technology was pioneered at Stony Brook University, will use the grant to develop sensors to measure heat fluctuations and pressure on gas turbine engine components. The devices are designed to detect if a turbine is in danger of overheating or cracking, allowing plant operators to catch nascent problems before they cause damage. "We want to be able to predict when things go wrong," said chief executive Jeff Brogan. The company, with 10 employees on Long Island, manufactures its products in Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Joe Ryan

Electric bill aid for companies

Twenty-three businesses, hospitals and not-for-profit organizations on Long Island have been awarded breaks on their electric bills under a new state program, officials said Thursday. The aid is in return for commitments to create jobs, purchase equipment and remain in New York State for the next seven years. The aid begins July 1 when ReCharge New York replaces two other programs, Power for Jobs and Energy Cost Savings Benefit. In the second round of low-cost power allocations, the largest awards went to Henry Schein Inc., at 1,050 kilowatts, and Arrow Electronics Inc., at 696 kilowatts. -- James T. Madore

Refi to help Bethpage nonprofit

Adults & Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities Inc. plans to refinance millions of dollars in debt to reduce interest payments and generate cash for several programs. The local development corporations of Nassau and Suffolk counties Thursday each agreed to issue about $13.8 million in bonds for the not-for-profit ACLD, based in Bethpage. ACLD plans to build a 7,000-square-foot residence in Bethpage, adding to the 14 such facilities it has on Long Island. Executive Director Aaron Liebowitz said there also are plans to expand a preschool program in Bay Shore. The refinancing will save about $1 million over 10 years. -- James T. Madore

NEW YORK

Cablevision techs reject union

Cablevision Systems Corp. technicians in the Bronx Thursday rejected a bid to unionize. The workers voted 121 to 43 against joining the Communications Workers of America. That outcome contrasted with a January vote in Brooklyn, when nearly 300 Cablevision techs there approved joining the CWA, becoming the first Cablevision cable workers to unionize. The CWA blamed the Bronx defeat on "a climate of such fear and intimidation that a free and fair election was impossible." It said it had earlier withdrawn a petition to hold a union vote for a smaller, separate group for the same reason. Cablevision denied workers were intimidated, saying in a statement that employees "have spoken loudly and clearly that they value their direct relationship with the company." Cablevision owns Newsday. -- Carrie Mason-Draffen

NATION

Southwest to test TV service

Southwest Airlines plans to sell live television service on five planes and expand it to more aircraft by mid-July. The airline said Thursday that it would offer seven sports and news channels for passengers to watch on their own devices. Southwest said it will test prices from $3 to $8 during a trial period. Passengers will need a Wi-Fi-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer. Offerings will include NBC Sports, MLB (Major League Baseball), NFL Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News and Fox Business News. If the service is successful, Southwest said it will be added to all of its Wi-Fi-enabled planes by the end of the year. -- AP