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NYPA approves increased funding for statewide energy efficiency improvements under Build Smart NY

by jmaloni

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Thu, Oct 16th 2014 02:45 pm

Awards $300 million in contracts to support future energy efficiency improvements at state and local government facilities

The New York Power Authority board of trustees Wednesday approved increased energy efficiency funding of $117 million in support of the Build Smart NY program, a statewide initiative resulting from a 2012 executive order by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to reduce energy use in state buildings by 20 percent by 2020.

NYPA administers Build Smart NY and related energy efficiency programs, financing and implementing energy-efficiency upgrades for state and local public facilities across the state. The approved additional funding will help support awards of up to $300 million in contracts to various firms for energy efficiency services over five years. Seven of the firms are headquartered in New York.

"The increase in funding for energy efficiency projects and the new contract awards is a double win for New York state residents, the environment and energy service businesses," said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. "Today's action by the NYPA trustees is tangible evidence of New York state's progress in advancing the Build Smart NY program for major improvements in energy efficiency, lower electric bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and job growth."

Under the Build Smart NY program, New York has achieved more than 25 percent of the governor's energy reduction goal since 2013, leading to tens of millions of dollars in cost savings on the utility bills of universities, hospitals, offices and other state government facilities - and elimination of 130,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year.

"It is wonderful that New York state continues to give the highest priority to enhancing its energy efficiency, to not only lower utility bills, but to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions," said Donna De Costanzo, director of northeast energy and sustainable communities at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The New York Power Authority's partnership with the private sector in support of the Build Smart NY program will go a long way toward reducing the state's carbon footprint while contributing to a stronger state economy."

Build Smart NY and other NYPA-administered programs, for local government facilities, emphasize cost-effective, energy improvements to lower utility bills, and cut climate-changing carbon emissions. The newly approved contracts will also support economic development and reduce demand on the state's electric infrastructure.

The competitively awarded contracts are to the following firms:

•Canon Design - Grand Island

•The Daylight Savings Co. - Goshen

•Ecosystems/LiRo Energy Group II - Syosset

•EME Group - New York City

•Eneractive Solutions - Asbury Park, New Jersey, with offices in New York City

•Energy & Resource Solutions - North Andover, Massachusetts, with offices in Troy and New York City

•The Fulcrom Group - New York City

•Guth DeConzo Consulting Engineers - Troy

•PRES Services - Getzville

•RCM Technologies - Parsippany, New Jersey, with offices in New York City and Purchase

Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "The Build Smart NY program is increasing energy efficiency and bringing new jobs to Buffalo. The increase in funding is great news for firms addressing weatherization and environmental conservation needs from the energy sector. Rising utility costs continue to burden families; utilizing Western New York's resources to create renewable energy eases that burden. I applaud Gov. Cuomo for his initiatives with NYPA and the Build Smart NY program."

Assemblyman Ray Walter said, "I'm happy to see that a business in my district has been selected by NYPA to participate in Build Smart NY. PRES Services is a leading-edge company that will play an important role in helping New York state become energy efficient."

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