September 01, 2010

New York Named a Leading State for Energy Efficiency by Center for American Progress

Report Cites Work by NYSERDA, New York City and Utilities, and in Working Towards “Aggressive, Multifaceted Approach” to Reducing Energy Consumption

New York has been named one of the leading states in the nation for energy efficiency by the Center for American Progress.

Noting that energy efficiency can serve as a “national engine of reinvestment and job creation,” the report says "The state of New York is a great example of officials at the state level and municipal level taking an aggressive, multifaceted approach to energy efficiency.”

Energy efficiency measures are the most cost-effective tools needed to reduce energy usage in businesses and residences. Highly effective energy efficiency programs authorized by the Public Service Commission and administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as well as the major investor-owned utilities help to save consumers money while making energy efficiency an integral part of New Yorkers' everyday lives. These initiatives are part of broader state policies designed to develop a clean energy industry and an efficient and competitive economy.

The Public Service Commission adopted a goal articulated by Governor David Paterson to reduce electricity usage by 15 percent by 2015.

The report notes that most of the state's energy efficiency programs are run by the NYSERDA and cites the Authority's work to establish financing programs to fund efficiency retrofits, and providing audit funding and grants for retrofit projects that significantly reduce energy consumption. The report also recognizes that NYSERDA is currently evaluating mechanisms to significantly increase retrofit financing alternatives.

The report says that investor-owned utilities also are becoming involved in running energy efficiency programs, and cites the extensive work being done by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and city officials in retrofitting commercial and multifamily buildings in New York City through PlaNYC. The report cites the legislation to significantly increase efficiency in New York City buildings, including mandatory lighting upgrades and other measures.

Governor David Paterson said, “My administration has placed a high priority on increasing our energy efficiency to both build our clean energy economy and create a cleaner environment for the future. I hope this report will highlight to the rest of the nation the need to increase commitments to energy efficiency for the future.”

NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray said, “Energy efficiency is the key to creating jobs in the clean energy economy while reducing our carbon footprint and strengthening our energy security. Working in partnership with the public and private sectors, NYSERDA will continue to advance innovative solutions to help provide New Yorkers with more options to increase their energy efficiency in ways that help our environment and economy.”

Public Service Commission Chairman Garry Brown said, “Great progress continues to be made in terms of meeting the goals Governor Paterson has set for our energy efficiency efforts. The investments we are making to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and businesses will play an integral role in developing a clean energy economy. These are real, measurable steps that will create jobs and help control energy costs for New Yorkers. The targeted investments will enable New York to take control of its energy future.”

States were evaluated on 10 energy efficiency policies, including energy efficiency measures in Renewable Portfolio Standards, energy efficiency specific standards, unbundled utility structures and decoupled utility rates, aligning efficiency with utility companies' shareholder benefits, and other measures.

As a result of Public Service Commission actions, NYSERDA and the major utilities in New York, are currently providing direct incentives to homeowners and businesses to make energy efficiency improvements. Through NYSERDA programs:

• Energy performance has been improved in more than 45,000 new or existing homes, 71,000 multi-family housing units, and 17,800 new or existing commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities through the System Benefits Charge
• More than 115,000 low-income customers have received energy-efficiency assistance.
• Installed energy-efficiency measures reduce electricity consumption by 3,820 GWh per year or the equivalent of energy used by more than 600,000 homes, and reduce peak demand by 824 MW.

Statewide, energy efficiency has accomplished the following:

• Through June, the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards (EEPS) program has spent approximately $82.5 million and committed an additional $27.8 million, and many of the Commission's electric and gas energy efficiency programs are reporting monthly energy savings from installed measures.
• The annualized energy savings for electric and gas efficiency measure installations through June of this year saved enough energy to meet the electricity needs of 61,000 homes and the gas needs of 8,900 homes.
• Energy efficiency investments will create thousands of jobs all across New York.

A copy of the report can be found here: www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/08/pdf/good_jobs_new_markets.pdf [PDF]

Contact:

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