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Albany, N.Y. — May 5, 2016 — The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Office of General Services (OGS) have completed energy efficiency projects at Empire State Plaza and the Harriman State Office Campus that will save $760,000 in annual energy costs and remove more than 5,700 tons of greenhouse gases every year, the equivalent of taking nearly 1,200 cars off the road.
The project is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY program, a comprehensive statewide initiative to increase energy efficiency in public buildings. It is a key program underpinning his Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a cleaner, more affordable and resilient energy system that supports the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and its mandate for 50 percent of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.
BuildSmart NY, which NYPA administers, was launched in 2012. It calls for an increase in energy efficiency in state government buildings by 20 percent by 2020.
“Through his REV program, Gov. Cuomo is focused on reducing greenhouse gases, which also helps save taxpayer dollars,” said OGS Commissioner RoAnn Destito. “OGS focuses on energy efficiency every day on projects at our buildings and those we conduct on behalf of other agencies. Partnering with NYPA allows us flexibility to undertake many important upgrades and improvements.”
The upgrades include:
• The installation of centralized lighting controls and occupancy sensors throughout Empire State Plaza.
• LED lighting in several parking garages.
• New chilled water meters and steam meters that will allow OGS to accurately track and trend energy usage at both locations.
NYPA implemented the project and is providing about $7.8 million in financing for the upgrades. The project also received more than $800,000 in rebate incentives — which will offset the payback costs for OGS — from the federal Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
NYPA is the nation's largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit, instead financing its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. For more information, visit www.nypa.gov.
