February 16, 2010

NYSERDA Recognizes Northeast Parent & Child Society For Energy Efficiency Investment

NYSERDA Funding Helps New Children’s Home Reduce Energy Costs by $89,000 Per Year

Northeast Parent & Child Society today received a High Performance Building Plaque from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for the energy efficient measures incorporated into its new Children’s Home that will help cuts its energy costs by $89,000 per year.

The new Children’s Home for 70 at–risk adolescents was built using $128,000 of incentives from NYSERDA and additional financing through NYSERDA’s New York Energy $mart Loan Fund to install a variety of energy–saving features, including high performance window glazing, lighting systems, heating and cooling system, and a demand–based kitchen exhaust control system, among others.

“Northeast Parent & Child Society has added to the admirable work they do every day to protect the lives of children with this investment that will help protect the environment as well,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “NYSERDA looks forward to partnering with more non–profit organizations to help them reduce their energy costs while working to achieve the ambitious energy reduction goals set by Governor David Paterson.”

Northeast Parent & Child Society’s Children’s Home at 122 Park Avenue, Schenectady, is the twenty–fifth recipient of a High Performance Building Plaque. The plaques are presented to hospitals, libraries, schools, businesses, and organizations that have constructed buildings designed to perform at least 30 percent above the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code.

“NYSERDA has been an excellent partner in our Children’s Home project,” said Northeast Parent & Child Society President and CEO John E. Henley. “Through our new Children’s Home, we provide vulnerable youth a healthy, safe and efficient environment while preserving Schenectady’s energy resources.”

As a result of this investment, Northeast Parent & Child Society is anticipated to reduce its energy consumption by more than 419,000 kWh per year, the equivalent to the electricity consumed by approximately 65 single family homes per year. The payback time for the project, including the NYSERDA incentive, is estimated at a little over 2 years.

In the Capital Region, NYSERDA’s New Construction program has awarded High Performance Building Plaques to the Town of Malta, Clifton Park–Halfmoon Library, Woodland Hill Montessori School (North Greenbush), Fillpoint LLC (Mechanicville), and Empire State College (Saratoga Springs). The program’s goal is to effect a permanent transformation in the way buildings are designed and constructed by offering technical support to building design teams and financial incentives to building owners. In addition, the program offers services and incentives to building owners and designers to encourage green building practices, as well as commissioning, peak–load reduction, and advanced solar technologies. State and local governments, schools, healthcare facilities, and not–for–profit organizations that pay into the System Benefits Charge are eligible for incentives.

Governor Paterson’s ‘45 by 15’ clean energy policy calls for New York to reduce its electricity consumption by 15 percent through improved energy efficiency and increase the proportion of renewable energy used by New York consumers to 30 percent by the year 2015.

Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “I congratulate Northeast Parent & Child on receiving this High Performance Building Plaque from NYSERDA, and thank them for their continued service to Schenectady’s youth. Northeast Parent & Child has set a compelling example of how to take action to be more energy–conscious.”

“This is a prime example of simple measures making a huge impact. With some great foresight and upfront investment, Northeast Parent & Child Society will save on energy costs year over year, allowing them to invest even more in the children and teens they serve. Many thanks to NYSERDA for their outstanding partnership and common–sense approach to a better, cleaner New York,” said Assemblyman George Amedore.

For more information, visit NYSERDA.

Contact:

Laura Alpert, Northeast Parent & Child Society
518–579–3503; laura.alpert@neparentchild.org

Colleen Q. Ryan, NYSERDA
518–862–1090 ext. 3359;
cqr@nyserda.ny.gov