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For Release: May 12, 2008
CONTACT: Colleen Q. Ryan
518-862-1090 ext. 3359
cqr@NYSERDA.org
New York Energy $martSM Program Helping State Energy Consumers Take on Energy Issues
Program has helped customers achieve $570 million in annual energy savings
Albany, NY - - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has released the most recent evaluation of its New York Energy $martSM public benefits program. NYSERDA was named administrator of this program in 1998 by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC). The New York Energy SmartSM Program helps to maintain momentum for the State’s efforts to develop competitive markets for energy efficiency; demand management; outreach and education services; research, development, and demonstration; low-income services; and to provide direct economic and environmental benefits to New Yorkers.
Understanding the frustration and struggles of consumers facing increased energy prices, NYSERDA continues to provide valuable programs and services under the New York Energy SmartSM Program. The technical and financial assistance available under the program help consumers save energy and reduce energy costs. To date, the Program has helped customers achieve $570 million in annual energy savings, significantly reduced harmful emissions, and advanced the research and development of renewable technologies.
The Program is funded by the System Benefits Charge (SBC), which is a small charge on consumers’ electric bills. The programs that use this funding are designed to serve the diverse needs of New York energy consumers from residential homeowners and tenants to manufacturing plants and commercial office buildings. As administrator of the funds, NYSERDA has helped to lower energy costs, offer clean, alternative energy sources, protect and improve the environment, and benefit the State’s economy. Now in its third round of funding, the SBC has been extended until June 30, 2011.
Vincent A. DeIorio, Chairman of NYSERDA said, “New York Energy $martSM programs are nationally recognized and serve as beneficial models for other states throughout the Country. New York Energy $martSM programs play a key role in terms of increasing energy savings for New York consumers, creating a cleaner environment, spurring a stronger economy, and improving the reliability of the electric system through energy efficiency, research and development of clean energy technologies, and renewable energy resources such as wind and solar. All of these efforts help move us toward energy independence, a need emphasized by the price of crude oil reaching over $120 a barrel and the rising fuel costs of all types.”
The New York State Energy $martSM Program’s budget is allocated among four major program areas: commercial/industrial, research and development, low-income initiatives, and residential (non-low-income) initiatives. Through year-end 2007, the Program has contributed many benefits to New Yorkers, including:
- Nearly $570 million in annual energy cost savings of participating customers.
- Approximately 58,000 eligible New York low-income customers received direct assistance through programs funded by the SBC, resulting in $120 per year in average customer energy bill savings for this underserved population.
- The creation and/or sustaining of 4,700 jobs.
- Improved system-wide reliability and peak demand reduction, enabling 550 MW of callable load reduction and installing efficiency measures that permanently reduce peak demand by another 650 MW.
- 3,060 GWh of cumulative energy savings and 4.7 million MMBtu of natural gas, fuel oil, and other fuel savings.
- The 3,060 GWhs of electricity use reduced by the SBC programs, if generated by fossil fuels, would have resulted in emissions of 2,570 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOX), 4,720 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 2 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 reduced by the programs is equivalent to removing 400,000 automobiles from New York’s roadways.
- Energy performance has been optimized in 797 new commercial buildings, more than 11,000 new homes, more than 18,000 existing homes, and through more than 11,700 energy efficiency projects in existing commercial/industrial buildings, including technical studies, measure replacement, and reduced-interest financing.
- The installation of wind and photovoltaic (PV) technologies, which provide 106 GWh of clean electricity generation per year. This includes the installation of 865 PV and 15 small wind systems.
NYSERDA and the PSC have made significant progress toward meeting its goals for the New York Energy $martSM Program. The benefits from these energy efficiency and renewable energy programs have made a positive impact for the State by helping to reduce energy use and lower energy bills, as well as spur economic development, strengthen energy security, and improve the environment.
Please visit http://www.nyserda.org/pdfs/Combined%20Report.pdf to view the report. For more information about NYSERDA and the New York Energy $martSM Program, please visit www.nyserda.org.
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