"New York State is leading by example in the fight against climate change because there is no time to waste." said Cuomo. "State and local government buildings must be at the front of our effort to reduce energy use and emissions. This investment in energy efficiency improvements at government facilities is critical in achieving New York's energy goals and reducing our carbon footprint."
The NYPA board authorized investing in a wide variety of energy technology and renewable energy services, including energy audits, project engineering, design, installation and construction management. This strategic support will ensure that NYPA continues to meets its goal of substantially reducing energy usage by investing $300 million annually on energy efficiency and renewable measures at public facilities.
NYPA President and CEO, Gil C. Quiniones, said, "For New York to achieve the goals laid out in the Governor's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, we must significantly reduce our energy use. NYPA will continue its partnerships under BuildSmartNY with state and local governments to complete energy efficiency projects throughout the state and move New York closer to a clean energy economy."
BuildSmartNY energy efficiency projects include high efficiency lighting retrofits, occupancy and daylighting lighting sensors, building and energy management systems, boilers, chillers, air-handling systems, thermal storage, micro-grids, solar photovoltaic systems, digester gas systems, and emerging energy technologies. NYPA provides upfront financing with full cost recovery by its customers.
Over the last 20 years, the NYPA board has approved nearly $4 billion in spending on energy efficiency projects with state and local governments across the state. That money has supported hundreds of energy-saving projects. Those projects are directly linked to the fulfillment of BuildSmart NY and Executive Order 88, which calls for an increase in energy efficiency in state buildings by 20 percent by 2020.
