NYSERDA Supporting $2.8 million
of Energy Projects in Niagara County
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, July 17, 2001
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3250.
Albany, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) is providing more than $2.8 million to support
a number of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects throughout
Niagara County. The projects are part of a concerted effort to revitalize
the Niagara region and stimulate economic development under Governor
Pataki’s Niagara Falls Interagency Task Force.
“Renewable energy and energy efficiency are essential tools
for New York State to address concerns about energy supplies and
increasing energy prices,” said NYSERDA President William M.
Flynn. “In addition to lowering energy costs and helping to
preserve our environment, these projects are helping companies and
communities in the Niagara region to remain competitive and create
new opportunities for job growth.”
The projects NYSERDA is supporting include:
- $668,700 to support an energy performance contract in the City
of Niagara Falls. NYSERDA is providing incentives to Vestar, Inc.,
an Energy Service Company (ESCO), to identify cost-effective energy
efficiency improvements in several buildings in Niagara Falls. Upgrades
in the facilities being examined include energy-efficient lighting,
motors, variable-speed drives, and energy management systems. Under
performance contracts, NYSERDA provides incentives to ESCOs, which
often pass along all or a portion of the incentive to their customers
in order to lower the costs associated with making the improvements.
Typically, customers pay for the improvements out of realized energy
savings after the work is complete.
- $545,500 to support an energy performance contract the New York
Power Authority is conducting that involves 10 buildings owned by
Niagara County.
- $452,700 to Canrom Photovoltaics, Inc. of Niagara Falls to establish
a research and development laboratory and pilot-scale production
facility to manufacture cadmium telluride-based solar modules. The
2,500-square-foot facility has been completed.
- $450,000 to support an energy performance contract at Niagara
County Community College. Johnson Controls is the ESCO working with
the college to identify efficiency improvements that will include
lighting upgrades, motors, and cooling equipment.
- $250,000 to the Newfane Central School District for installation
of a ground source heat pump system that will heat the 18,000-square-foot
addition to the district’s elementary school. The new system
should help the school district avoid $65,000 in annual energy expenses
for the new facility.
- $112,200 to support an energy performance contract involving
two Tops Markets located in Niagara County. The $112,200 is part
of a larger energy performance contract that EES, Inc. is implementing
at 18 Tops Markets throughout the State. The total value of the
performance contract is $750,000.
- $103,900 to support energy efficiency work that Clough Harbour
& Associates is undertaking at E.I. Dupont’s facility in
Niagara Falls. The study involves identifying the most energy-efficient
manner of ventilating the company’s sodium production facility.
- $96,375 to modify the Niagara County Sewer District’s filtration
system for treating primary settled wastewater.
- $83,100 to the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission to support a new
construction project. NYSERDA’s funds will be used to offset
the incremental cost associated with installing more efficient equipment
into the construction project. Some of this equipment includes a
refrigeration chiller, an energy management system, and adjustable
frequency drive fans.
- $25,000 to help Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc. determine the feasibility
of reconfiguring flues in its furnaces, which are used in the production
of graphite electrodes for the steel industry. The redesign, which
has been partially installed, is expected to improve production
quality and reduce energy costs.
- $22,200 to help the Niagara Falls City School District measure
and analyze its energy use and load baselines. This information
will help the school district better obtain fair market electric
rates as well as identify areas where energy savings can be achieved.
- $16,000 to help the Niagara Falls Housing Authority conduct a
feasibility study to assess and identify potential energy conservation
measures within building shells, mechanical systems, water use,
lighting, and appliances throughout the Housing Authority.
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, supports research to develop
technologies that help New York save energy and reduce emissions.
NYSERDA also administers the New York Energy $martSM
program, which is designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging
energy efficiency as the State’s electric utilities move to competition.
All New York Energy $martSM programs are funded
by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) established by the Public Service
Commission and paid by electric distribution customers of participating
utilities.
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