2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Agency contacts:                                                NYSERDA spokesperson:
Mary Ingram Schatz (mary@haggman.com)          Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org)
Phone: 212-600-4469                                           Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3359
                                                                          www.getenergysmart.org

Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com)
Phone: 978-525-3742

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Gangway, New Yorkers: ‘Energy Pirates’ plunder electricity

NYSERDA’s online pirate game teaches residents ways to save energy at home

ALBANY, NY – December 5, 2007: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced today the launch of “ Energy Pirates” on its website www.GetEnergySmart.org . The web-based game and interactive educational tool is designed to teach consumers simple ways to save energy at home .

As part of NYSERDA’s Little Steps, Big Savings campaign this fall, Energy Pirates educates New Yorkers how to better manage power demand in their homes by using ENERGY STAR qualified products, power strips and energy-saving features to prevent energy waste.

“Effectively managing the power supply in our homes requires a simple change in behavior, yet it can yield big savings,” said Paul D. Tonko, NYSERDA president and CEO. “Seventy-five percent of all electricity used to power home electronics and appliances is consumed while these products are turned off. Through our interactive Energy Pirates game and our other residential energy efficiency programs, we encourage New York families learn to work together to eliminate wasted energy in their own homes.”

Instead of gold, electricity is the coveted treasure in NYSERDA’s online Energy Pirates game. While the pirates seek to pillage the kilowatts in a home, the player must prevent the pirate from stealing power by “turning off” appliances and electronics the pirate has turned on. Similar to the 1980s game Simon, an electronic game that tests a person’s rhythm and memory skills, the player must turn them off in the same sequence that the pirate turned them on. The sequences increase in difficulty within each level. Educational messages with specific tips to save energy and information about NYSERDA initiatives appear as each level is completed.

NYSERDA uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy. Visit www.GetEnergySmart.org or call 1-877-NY-SMART (1-877-697-6278) to learn more ways to save energy.

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