NYSERDA wins 2009 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year Award

March 31, 2009

Albany, New York – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has earned a 2009 ENERGY STAR ^® Partner of the Year award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and delivering energy efficiency services to residents and businesses throughout New York. The EPA will recognize NYSERDA’s accomplishments at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2009.

An ENERGY STAR partner since 1998, NYSERDA will be honored for its work to increase market share of ENERGY STAR qualified products, as well as energy efficiency services, programs and incentives for homes and businesses, through comprehensive program delivery, outreach, education, and marketing programs. Specifically, NYSERDA’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, New York ENERGY STAR Homes, ENERGY STAR Products, and the Commercial and Industrial programs will be recognized for helping New York residents and businesses save energy, lower utility costs and protect the environment.

“NYSERDA is proud of our partnership with ENERGY STAR and our contribution to increasing energy efficiency,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. “Energy efficiency is a major priority for New York’s plan to reduce the State’s forecasted energy use 15 percent by 2015. As a long-standing partner, we see tremendous value for us and our customers when it comes to participating in the ENERGY STAR program.”

ENERGY STAR is widely recognized and trusted throughout New York State due to NYSERDA's extensive consumer awareness efforts. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and New York ENERGY STAR Homes, programs designed to improve the energy efficiency of existing and new homes, respectively, have been hailed as national models 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. As a result, energy efficiency services are a vital and growing element of New York's economy.

NYSERDA provides training to retailers about the energy savings associated with ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, lighting and electronic products, and assists them in promoting the many benefits of these products to their customers. NYSERDA promotes the use of ENERGY STAR products to the business sector as well; particularly office equipment, lighting products and commercial kitchens.

Additionally, NYSERDA incorporates ENERGY STAR through its Commercial and Industrial program, which addresses energy efficiency awareness and market penetration to several business representing 21,000 participants. Specific sectors recognized for the 2009 award include commercial real estate (CRE), K-12 schools, and hospitality.

The CRE Program helps prioritize energy investments in a customer’s portfolio, identifies energy savings opportunities in individual buildings and evaluates return on investment. The program has completed benchmarking on approximately 60 building projects, representing over 44 million square feet of space. An additional 44 million square feet of space has been benchmarked under a separate initiative to promote best practices in benchmarking. As a result of the CRE Program, 10 building owners representing 8,991,390 square feet of commercial office space have identified common issues and opportunities for efficiency gains in the buildings. These 10 sites have estimated 13 million kWh in energy savings and 1,752 kW in demand savings.

The schools program has supported the benchmarking of approximately 829 public K-12 schools in 178 school districts. The average school has reduced energy consumption by 22 percent per square foot and carbon dioxide emissions by 18 percent. These schools represent 75 million square feet of space and approximately 430,000 students. The program has also facilitated 67 ENERGY STAR building labels and 12 Leaders Awards in seven districts.

With help from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other partners, NYSERDA’s hospitality program is developing a rating and certification process that includes energy efficiency standards by which a hotel, motel or restaurant may be labeled “green.” To date, NYSERDA has assisted four large hotels to benchmark their facilities, a requirement to receiving a green rating.

“EPA is pleased to recognize NYSERDA for its leadership in addressing global warming through greater energy efficiency,” said Kathleen Hogan, director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the EPA. “NYSERDA has excelled at helping its customers improve their efficiency, save money and better understand the steps they can take to help in the fight against global warming.”

The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards for Program Delivery are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy. Visit NYSERDA for more information. To learn more ways to save energy at home, visit NYSERDA's Residential page or call 1-877-NY-SMART (1-877-697-6278).

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, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. Visit ENERGY STAR.GOV for more information about ENERGY STAR or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

CONTACT:

Nancy Norman, NYSERDA
866-NYSERDA, ext 3414
njn@nyserda.ny.gov

Gayle Nowak
978-525-3742
gayle@haggman.com

Mary Ingram-Schatz
212-600-4469
mary@haggman.com