2006

Release:         Immediate
Contact:          Thomas Collins, Director of Communications
(518) 862-1090 ext. 3250 or tgc@nyserda.or

NYSERDA RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR TWO OF ITS ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
Awards Presented by the Peak-Load Management Alliance (PLMA) and The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP)

Albany, NY (March 28, 2006) - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) received two national awards for programs and services it offers to New York State's commercial and industrial sectors.

            The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) is a national, member-driven organization that addresses the most pressing issues faced in the energy services field. At its 16^th annual meeting February, 2006, in San Diego California, it was announced that NYSERDA's New York Energy $mart^SM Commercial/Industrial Performance Program (CIPP) was awarded first place in AESP's Achievement in Energy Services Programs category.

            The Peak Load Management Alliance (PLMA) an organization formed to promote the concepts and technologies of reducing demand for electricity, natural gas, and oil held its annual meeting in Alexandria Virginia in March 2006. At the meeting NYSERDA's New York Energy $mart^SM Peak-Load Reduction Program (PLRP) received the Alliance's Outstanding Outreach Award for its 2005 program. NYSERDA received the award for its ".outstanding efforts in administering the New York Energy $mart^SM program .... In particular the Peak-Load Reduction Program."

            "These awards are indicative of NYSERDA's ability to provide New York State commercial and industrial sectors with the highest quality of energy-related programs and technical services," said Peter R. Smith, President of NSYERDA. "I am proud that these two distinguished organizations have chosen to honor NYSERDA."

         The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) was established in 1975 as a public benefit corporation. NYSERDA funds research in areas relating to energy supply and efficiency, as well as energy-related environmental issues, important to the well-being of New Yorkers. NYSERDA has been cited by the U.S. Department of Energy as being among the best government research organizations in the North America, including others such as NASA.

            Since late 1998, in cooperation with the NYS Public Service Commission, (PSC), NYSERDA has managed the New York Energy $mart^SM program. Funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) on electric transmission, this program offers energy efficiency, research and development, low-income and environmental disclosure funding and education to assist electric consumers as the regulated electricity market moves to more open competition. NYSERDA also finances, through the sale of bonds, environmental and energy improvements for the State's energy infrastructure.

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