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Manhattan takes the BE COOL challenge

July 17, 2007

Borough President Stringer helps launch air conditioner campaign to save energy and reduce carbon impact

New York, NY - July 17, 2007: Who is the coolest community in New York? When it comes down to the BE COOL Challenge between New York City's five boroughs and Westchester County, air conditioners will be the deciding factor.

To make it easier for New Yorkers to save electricity this summer, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Con Edison are launching BE COOL, a campaign that promotes the purchase of energy efficient room air conditioners. On Wednesday July 18, 2007 at 11 a.m. at City Hall Park, Borough President Scott Stringer will host a media event that challenges all Manhattan residents to turn in their old air conditioners and replace them with ENERGY STAR® qualified models. The BE COOL Challenge winner will be the community with the highest percentage of residents participating in the campaign.

“For many New Yorkers, the recent scorching days we've all endured would be downright dangerous without air conditioning. But while air conditioning keeps us comfortable and safe from extreme heat, it also adds to the pollution heating up our planet. That's why, when we need it, we should all use air conditioning judiciously,” said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. “I'm urging New Yorkers, whenever possible, to switch to using a fan. And when you do need your air conditioner, please - use it at the most efficient setting. Turn it off when you don't truly need it. And take advantage of this great opportunity to get a rebate on a more energy efficient, less polluting model.”

“BE COOL represents a huge opportunity for New Yorkers to reduce their energy use. The program is an important component of Governor Spitzer's comprehensive policy to reduce carbon emissions,” said Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “We want to tap into that New York pride with the BE COOL Challenge and see who will be the coolest community this summer.”

“This campaign reminds the residents of each borough and those in Westchester County that lowering energy use helps us all. To BE COOL this summer, shift your energy use to evening hours and take a look at the incentives for an energy-efficient air-conditioner,” said NYPA Chairman Frank S. McCullough, Jr.

“I urge all New Yorkers to take advantage of these programs to make saving energy even more cost-effective,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “By taking these easy steps in their homes, New Yorkers can lower their electricity bills, help prevent blackouts, and help prevent climate change. Helping consumers save energy is a key component of our plaNYC effort to build a greener, greater New York, and we are proud to be working with NYSERDA on this program.”

Single- and multi-family residential customers of Con Edison electric service in New York City and Westchester County who turn in their old, working room air conditioner may earn $35 when they purchase a new window unit or $100 when they purchase a through-the-wall unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR®.

“It's fantastic that so many of our customers are participating in this energy saving program and we are happy to see that our customers in Manhattan are getting involved,” said Rebecca Craft, director of energy efficiency programs for Con Edison. “Although summer is almost here, it's not too late for our customers to replace their old window and through-the-wall air conditioners and participate in the BE COOL Challenge.”

ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners use 10 to 25 percent less energy than a conventional new model or up to 40 percent less energy than a 10-year-old unit. To earn the incentive, residents just need to bring their old unit to an authorized drop off site or retailer location, where the units will be properly recycled and residents will receive a mail-in application for the incentive. Managers of multi-family buildings may contact NYSERDA directly to complete a change-out of all the units in their building.

Encouraging residents to take simple actions can have powerful results, Tonko added. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if one out of 10 families in the United States used cooling and heating equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR, the change would keep more than 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air.

New Yorkers who are not eligible for the incentive can beat the heat and still save energy by using timers on air conditioners and lights; closing shades or curtains on windows that receive direct afternoon sun; using ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) instead of heat-generating incandescent bulbs; and always looking for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing appliances and air conditioning products. Shifting energy-intensive tasks such as dishwashing and clothes washing to cooler early morning or late night hours can also help reduce mid-afternoon heat build-up and make sure there is enough electricity for everyone during the hottest part of the day.

Visit NYSERDA Get Energy Smart or call 1-877-NY-SMART (1-877-697-6278) for more information about BE COOL and other summer energy saving tips.

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NYPA is the nation's largest public electric utility and provides energy-saving services and clean energy technologies to public institutions such as schools, hospitals and universities. Visit www.nypa.gov to learn more about the New York Power Authority.