May 19, 2010

NYSERDA Presents Energy Efficiency Award to Foothills Performing Arts Theater

NYSERDA Funding Helps Reduce Theater’s Energy Costs by $65,000 Per Year

Officials from The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) were joined by State Senator James L. Seward today to present a High Performance Building Plaque to the Foothills Performing Arts Theater, Inc., in recognition of energy efficient measures incorporated into the new performing arts theater that will help cuts its energy costs by more than $65,000 per year.

The 25,000 square foot addition to the Performing Arts Theater on Market Street, to house a theater, stage and scenery area, and large atrium, was a three-year project supported by $140,000 of incentives from NYSERDA.  This funding supported a variety of energy-saving measures, including high performance wall and roof insulation, high efficiency lighting and daylighting controls, heat recovery system, and high efficiency motors, among others.  In addition, the collaborative work between NYSERDA, Foothills Performing Arts Theater, and Novus Engineering helped to minimize adverse environmental impacts associated with the construction project.

“For several years, the Foothills Performing Arts Theater has enriched the Oneonta community by providing cultural programming and stimulating the local economy.  Today, we recognize the Theater for its important work to benefit all New Yorkers through energy conservation,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA.  “NYSERDA looks forward to partnering with more institutions to help reduce their energy costs while working to achieve the ambitious energy reduction goals set by Governor David Paterson.”

“Foothills plays an important part in the economic growth of Oneonta and the surrounding region as an up and coming member of the arts community.  As the NYSERDA High Performance Building Plaque illustrates, Foothills is also a forward thinking environmental leader,” said Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta).  “Reducing energy consumption and striving for efficiencies wherever possible are environmentally sound and fiscally responsible.  I am pleased to see Foothills taking a leading role in this key area.”

“The Board of Directors of the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center thanks NYSERDA for accepting Foothills into this special program.  We acknowledge the efforts from Towne Engineering, Novus Engineering and SAIC for helping to make these awards possible,” said Doug Resser, President of Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center.  “Foothills is proud to be part of only 33 projects statewide to receive this award.  The nearly $1.1 million energy cost savings over the next 20 years is an essential contribution to the financial viability of the future for Foothills.”

Foothills Performing Arts Theater is the 33rd recipient of a High Performance Building Plaque statewide.  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.  The Foothills Performing Arts Theater’s energy conservation is rated at more than 50 percent above code.

As a result of its investment in energy efficient technologies, Foothills Performing Arts Theater is anticipated to reduce its energy consumption by more than 172,000 kWh per year, the equivalent to the electricity consumed by approximately 27 single-family homes per year, and to realize a payback after NYSERDA’s incentive of four years.

NYSERDA’s New Construction program has awarded High Performance Building Plaques to Tompkins County SPCA (Ithaca), Cornell University (Ithaca), Corning Incorporated (Coring), Aspen Dental Management (Syracuse), and ICM Controls (Cicero), among others.  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 energy storage.  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.

For more information, visit NYSERDA.ny.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jeffrey Gordon, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext. 3544
jrg@nyserda.ny.gov