2005

Jean Donovan, NYSERDA; 518-862-1090 ext. 3516
Kathy Jarvis, Proctor's Theatre; 518-382-3884 ext. 138

Proctor's Theatre Shines Bright on State Street with a New Energy-Efficient Marquee
NYSERDA Providing more than $44,000 in Funding for the Marquee

Schenectady, NY (May 23, 2005) - Proctor's Theatre CEO Philip Morris, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President Peter R. Smith and other officials gathered at the theatre's historic State Street entrance this evening to flip the switch and illuminate Proctor's new energy-efficient marquee.

As part of a multimillion dollar expansion plan in 2004, Proctor's Theatre reached out to NYSERDA to assist in making the theatre as energy efficient as possible. Through participation in the New York Energy $mart^SM New Construction Program, a technical assistance study was preformed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a NYSERDA technical consultant. One of the energy efficiency measures the study recommended applied to the two marquees, one on the State Street side of the building, which is completed, and one on the back, which is still undergoing construction. The marquees use LED light bulbs in place of the inefficient incandescent bulbs used previously. LED lighting is highly efficient and will help save energy. Not only will the new marquees reduce Proctor's energy costs, but it will also have a positive impact on the environment, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 34 tons per year.

To offset the costs of installing energy-efficient LED lighting in the marquees, NYSERDA has committed more than $44,000 to Proctor's Theatre through its New York Energy $mart^SM New Construction Program. Together, the marquees will use up to 2,200 individual LED lights replacing the less efficient incandescent lighting, saving the theater nearly $9,000 per year.

Proctor's Theatre CEO, Philip Morris said, "Proctor's Theatre would not have been able to do this energy savings project without the help of NYSERDA. This has been an extraordinary project and the new LED lights in our marquees are spectacular!"

NYSERDA President Peter R. Smith said, "NYSERDA is pleased to work with Proctor's to help make this historic theatre more energy efficient, while also preserving its historic value. Just by using LED lighting in place of incandescent lighting on the marquee, Proctors will not only save energy and reduce energy costs, but will also reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 34 tons annually. I commend Proctor's for its commitment to energy efficiency."

Funding for the New Construction Program and other NYSERDA incentives is provided through the New York Energy $mart^SM program, which lowers electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.

New York Energy $mart^SM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.

Additional information about these and other energy-saving programs is available online at www.nyserda.org