NYSERDA Awards Contracts to Watershed
Ag Council and Regional Solar Firm
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, July 25, 2001
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3250.
Albany, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) awarded two contracts to regional organizations
that will improve energy efficiency and safeguard our environment.
Great Brook Enterprises of New South Berlin (Chenango County) received
$267,752 as part of a $535,504 project to demonstrate the reliability
and effectiveness of photovoltaic (solar) generation in remote applications,
away from power grids. These applications are part of a program to
introduce renewable energy in areas that otherwise could not obtain
electric service due to their distance from existing electric service
and the resulting high connection costs.
The Watershed Agricultural Council, Inc. of Walton received $601,100
toward the completion of a $845,020 project to develop an environmentally
friendly manure treatment system. The goal is to evaluate the combination
of two innovative manure management methods, anaerobic fixed film
digestion and biodrying composting system. The results of this project
are intended to help farmers in the New York City watershed to limit
nutrient runoff into the water supply system. By doing so, water quality
will be maintained and additional expensive, added treatment steps
for purification may be avoided.
"Solar technologies offer the possibility of bringing environmentally-friendly
electricity to remote areas of the State that would otherwise require
expansion of the power grid," said NYSERDA President William
M. Flynn. "Developing an improved manure-management system
for farmers will not only protect our environment and water supply,
but also increase competitiveness of New York's farmers. These projects
typify how Governor Pataki and NYSERDA are committed to stimulating
economic development while preserving the environment."
NYSERDA is a public benefit authority that seeks to improve the State's
energy efficiency, while safeguarding the environment. It is also
the administrator of the New York Energy $mart programs, which are
designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency
as the State's electric utilities move to competition. The programs
are available to all electric distribution customers (residential,
commercial, institutional, and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con
Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester
Gas and Electric.
All New York Energy $martSM
programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric
distribution customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public
benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds
and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.
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