July 28, 2010

Reduce the Use Contest to be Held in Brooklyn’s District 39

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Teams with Councilman Brad Lander and Con Edison on Energy Savings Competition

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Con Edison are joining with City Councilmember Brad Lander to hold a neighborhood energy savings competition in Brooklyn's 39th District.

A kickoff event for the competition titled “Reduce the Use in District 39” will be held August 1 from 2-5 pm, at the Old Stone House on 5th Ave. between 3rd and 4th St. in Brooklyn. There will be raffles, prizes, a face painter, a composting exhibit, and energy efficiency demonstrations to help you jumpstart your energy savings and an opportunity to talk to your local city councilmember about green initiatives.

Earlier this year, NYSERDA held an energy-saving competition between the Kensington and Windsor Terrace neighborhoods that provided education and tips on saving energy, and helped the 40 participating households reduce their energy use by approximately 6% as compared to the same three month time period from the previous year. The participants collectively saved approximately $600 over the three months for an estimated savings of $2,400 a year.

The new competition involves the six neighborhoods of Councilman Lander's district: Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, and Borough Park. In addition to competing as individual households, participants will compete on their neighborhood's “team” to help affect collective energy savings.

“Reduce the Use in District 39” will provide awards in two categories: “smallest footprint” (lowest total electrical usage), and “biggest reduction” (the greatest reduction from last year). Participants will be provided with monthly reports telling them how much energy they used, how much they have reduced from last year, and how those numbers stack up against their neighbors. They will also receive energy-saving tips specifically tailored to their home to help reduce their electricity consumption.

“The summer is the most difficult time to try to lower your electricity bill, but I challenge the residents of the 39th Council District to take steps to reduce their use. I look forward to taking steps to lower my electricity use along side my neighbors and constituents. I am confident this will be a strong first step toward a broader awareness of the importance of energy conservation and sustainability.”

“This competition shows that a little awareness can make a huge difference in the way people use energy. If we can expand the progress made in these two neighborhoods to the rest of the City and the rest of the State, we would save money while reducing our energy use and our impact on the environment,” said Francis J. Murray, Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA.

“Customers who use energy wisely save money, help their neighbors, and help protect the environment. New Yorkers want to make their homes more energy efficient and this contest is a great example of how easy it can be. Con Edison has energy savings programs available for everyone,and we encourage people to sign-up for one that's right for them,” said Rebecca Craft, director of energy efficiency programs for Con Edison.

For more information about how you can be a part of future NYSERDA sponsored energy competitions, contact competition@nyserda.ny.gov.

Contact

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