2006

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA (518) 862-1090, ext. 3359 or cqr@nyserda.or

$875 Million Available to Improve Energy Efficiency in New York State Homes and Businesses - Westchester

-- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is holding one of nine statewide series of forums in Westchester on Wednesday, March 22, 2006. The forums will give residents and businesses the chance to learn more about $875 million in funding opportunities available through the New York Energy $mart^sm program. The forum will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn - Mt. Kisco, One Holiday Inn Drive. Registration is encouraged, but not required. 

            NYSERDA program directors and staff will be available to provide New York businesses, industries, municipalities, and residents, information on how to take advantage of these public benefit programs. To ensure that vital energy-efficiency and research and development programs continue to benefit New Yorkers during electric utility restructuring, the State's Public Service Commission (PSC) named NYSERDA administrator of programs paid for by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) on the electricity transmitted and distributed by the State's investor-owned utilities.

            "NYSERDA encourages people to attend these forums to learn about the financial and technical assistance available to help them reduce their energy costs," said Peter R. Smith, President and CEO of NYSERDA. "Residents and businesses will receive information from NYSERDA's staff about the different programs and services available, and how to participate."

            As administrator of SBC funds for the past eight years, NYSERDA has awarded nearly $900 million in SBC funds through its New York Energy $mart^sm program, resulting in significant reductions in energy consumption, annual air emissions and millions of dollars of annual savings on customer bills.

            Estimated impacts of the program to date show NYSERDA reduced annual energy use by more than 1,700 million kilowatt hours and reduced energy demand by more than 1,000 megawatts. This is equivalent to serving the average annual electricity needs of approximately 240,000 residential homes. These programs are reducing energy expenses for consumers by more than $230 million a year and eliminating 1,500 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions, more than 2,700 tons of sulfur emissions, and more than 1.1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Annually, these programs will help to create and retain about 4,450 new jobs in the State's retail and service sectors, as well as keeping energy dollars in local economies where they can be reinvested into businesses and communities.

            Further, improved energy efficiency and fewer dollars leaving the State to pay for imported energy provide economic benefits statewide. In January 2001, the PSC extended the SBC for another five years with $750 million in funding opportunities available for businesses, industries, municipalities, and residents throughout the State. In 2006, the PSC extended the program again for five years with an additional $875 million available.

                   NYSERDA's forums are being held in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Albany, Westchester, Bronx, and Brooklyn during the month of March. For more information on NYSERDA, or to register for the forums, please visit our web sites at www.nyserda.org, www.GetEnergySmart.org, or call 1-866-NYSERDA.

###