Regional Lighting Efficiency Program Honored for Outstanding Achievement

February 28, 2008

NEEP recognized for collaborative energy efficiency implementation effort across seven states.

Albany, NY – Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP) has been honored by the Association of Energy Service Professionals with the Outstanding Achievement via Collaboration for Program Implementation award for its High Performance T-8 Lighting (HPT8) program.
The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) bestowed its AESP Energy Awards at its 18th National Energy Services Conference held January 28 – 31, 2008 in Clearwater Beach, FL. The AESP Energy Awards recognize individuals, teams or organizations that have either:

• Contributed to the advancement of the energy services field
• Raised awareness of an energy services program or need
• Represent the “best in class” in designing, implementing, or evaluating an energy services program, or
• Demonstrated an outstanding commitment to advancing the energy services field.

Initiated by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and facilitated by NEEP, the Northeast HPT8 promotion is a joint effort of thirteen energy efficiency program administrators (utilities and state organizations) across seven states to increase the availability and use of high efficiency commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures in the Northeast region. In its first ten months of operation, the program exceeded its goals of engaging major lighting distributors and manufacturers to stock and sell qualifying equipment – doubling the number of distributors offering HPT8 fixtures and increasing efficiency program activity by as much as fifty percent.  The program also supports the HPT8 needs of government procurement managers.

The HPT8 program - operating in New York, New Jersey and all five New England states - is implemented by:

• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
• Cape Light Compact
• Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund - Connecticut Light & Power
• Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund - United Illuminating
• Efficiency Maine
• Efficiency Vermont
• Long Island Power Authority
• National Grid-Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire
• New Hampshire Electric Cooperative
• NSTAR
• Public Service of New Hampshire
• The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Programs
• Western Mass Electric Co

"NEEP is proud to accept this award on behalf of the HPT8 program sponsors,” said Sue Coakley, executive director of NEEP. “The collaborative effort to implement positive change in the commercial lighting efficiency market not only achieves important energy savings for our entire region, but it is also good for business, good for the economy and good for the environment.”

Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA said, “The collaboration between NEEP, NYSERDA, and other sponsors demonstrates to the national community the positive effects of regional efforts in instituting best practices for lighting efficiency.  Customers that are undertaking a building retrofit or constructing a new building can be assured that the most energy-efficient fixtures are installed and will reduce operating and energy costs, while increasing the comfort and productivity of those working inside of the building.  Certainly, these efforts will assist New York in reaching Governor Spitzer’s goal of reducing electric consumption 15 percent by 2015.”

About NEEP

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc. (NEEP) is a regional nonprofit organization founded in 1996 whose mission is to promote the efficient use of energy in homes, buildings and industry in the Northeast U.S. through regionally coordinated programs and policies that increase the use of efficient products, services and practices, and that help achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system.

For more information on Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships visit: www.neep.org.

About the Association of Energy Services Professionals

AESPis a member-based association dedicated to improving the delivery and implementation of energy efficiency, energy management and distributed renewable resources. AESP provides professional development programs, a network of energy practitioners, and promotes the transfer of knowledge and experience.

Contacts

Catherine Stanley, NEEP
781-860-9177, Ext. 24
cstanley@neep.org

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