EPA Recognizes New York State Eenrgy Research and Development Authority

March 2, 2007

NYSERDA earns award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency

March 2, 2007 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded NYSERDA a 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency.  NYSERDA's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington , D.C. on March 21, 2007 NYSERDA, an ENERGY STAR partner since 1998, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency through improving New York's environment, especially in relation to the emissions associated with the generation and consumption of energy.  NYSERDA offers New York State's residents and businesses programs to assist them in saving energy and reducing energy costs.  There are programs and incentives to provide a helping hand to businesses, homeowners, renters, multifamily building owners, and managers.  By assisting in making residential and commercial buildings more energy efficient, NYSERDA achieves an important goal for New Yorkers.  The end result is a building that is more energy efficient, more comfortable and healthier, as well as better for the environment.

“NYSERDA continues to protect the environment through our use of innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems,” said Peter R. Smith, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “We make energy efficiency a major priority, and as an ENERGY STAR partner we see the value it brings to us and our customers. Participating in ENERGY STAR plays a vital role in our organization and in protecting the planet. ”

A key aspect of NYSERDA's programs is the tie to ENERGY STAR, a symbol widely recognized and trusted throughout New York State due to NYSERDA's extensive consumer awareness efforts.  Programs such as Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, designed to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes, and New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes, designed to improve the energy efficiency of new construction, have been hailed as national models of successful programs leading to permanent changes in the way homes are built and maintained.  The focus of these market-based programs is on education, training and certification, and as a result, energy efficiency services have now become a vital and growing element of New York's economy.  NYSERDA also provides training to retailers about the energy savings associated with ENERGY STAR appliances, lighting and electronic products, and assists them in promoting the many benefits of these products to their customers.  In addition, NYSERDA is promoting the use of ENERGY STAR products to the business sector - particularly office equipment, lighting products, and commercial kitchens.  Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are continuing to promote energy efficiency through participation in ENERGY STAR.  Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $14 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 25 million vehicles.  As well, NYSERDA's efforts leverage the national investment in ENERGY STAR^® by incorporating it throughout its portfolio of its Commercial/Industrial (C/I) Programs.  NYSERDA's C/I Programs are designed to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and load management and provide tools and resources to effect changes in energy decision making by building owners and operators. C/I Programs address the efficient use of electricity and limiting peak demand by providing customers with comprehensive, attractive incentives and financing packages. 

The 2007 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership consistently. These winners have set and achieved aggressive goals, employed innovative approaches, and shown others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

“Partners like NYSERDA are outstanding leaders in protecting our environment through energy efficiency,” said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.  “As one of the 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence winners, NYSERDA has taken energy efficiency to new heights year after year and we all benefit.”

About NYSERDA

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) was established by law in l975 as a public benefits corporation.  In 1998, the New York Energy $mart^sm  program was created to continue energy efficiency, research and development, and environmental protection programs during the State's transition to electric retail competition, and is a key element in the restructuring of New York's electric utility industry.  The program offers a wide range of consumer education and assistance programs to bring energy efficiency to homes, businesses, and industry.  NYSERDA provides energy-related technical and financial packaging assistance to businesses and institutions to promote energy efficiency and economic development, as well as providing energy research and development programs that promote safe and economical energy production efficiency technologies in New York State.  NYSERDA also analyzes the effect of New York's energy, regulatory and environmental policies on the State's business, institutional, and residential energy consumers.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Contact:

Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA,
518-862-1090, ext. 3359 or cqr@nyserda.ny.gov