RIT HONORS NYSERDA AS PARTNER
Approximately $1 million supporting R&D projects
at RIT's Center for Remanufacturing & Resource Recovery
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, March 12, 2002
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 852-1090, ext. 3250.
Rochester, NY - William M. Flynn, President of the New York State
Energy Research
and Development Authority (NYSERDA), joined RIT officials today to
take part in a ceremony honoring the partnership between NYSERDA and
RIT's National Center for Remanufacturing & Resource Recovery
(NCR³). NYSERDA will be inducted into the NCR³'s Industrial
Partners and Affiliates Program for its support of the Center's research
over the last several years. NYSERDA has provided over $700,000 for
three projects to the Remanufacturing Center and is in the process
of finalizing a fourth, for a total commitment by NYSERDA that exceeds
$936,000.
"New York State has more than 3,000 remanufacturers that employ
about 25,000 people, and the National Center for Remanufacturing &
Resource Recovery continues to explore and develop new technologies
that are energy efficient, environmentally sound and promote growth
in this industry. NYSERDA's commitment to the remanufacturing industry
exemplifies Governor Pataki's vision of promoting economic development
in ways that protect our environmental resources," stated NYSERDA
President Bill Flynn.
Nabil Nasr, PhD., Director of NCR³, stated, "For the past
three years NCR³ and NYSERDA have joined forces to help the industry
- to improve the energy efficiency and environmental and cost performance
of many small businesses throughout New York State. By inducting NYSERDA
into our partners program, we are formalizing what has been a long
and successful collaboration. We consider it an honor - not only to
have had NYSERDA's support through three very exciting projects -
but now to have them as a permanent partner as well. We look forward
to doing this partnership justice in our ongoing efforts and future
work."
According to Lester Cornelius of the Remanufacturing Association
of New York, "Organizations like NYSERDA and RIT's National Center
for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery are tremendous help to those
of us working to build the remanufacturing industry - allowing us
to foster business development while offering greater consumer choice."
The National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery (NCR³)
at Rochester Institute of Technology provides technical assistance
and applied research and development to industry and government agencies
interested in remanufacturing and resource and recovery techniques.
NCR³ was formed as a collaborative effort of RIT's College of
Engineering, the remanufacturing industry, and several federal laboratories.
Funding is provided by federal and state governments and private industry.
NYSERDA has provided $350,000 in funds to RIT's National Center for
Remanufacturing & Resource Recovery to improve the effectiveness,
energy efficiency, and environmental performance of cleaning operations
in New York State remanufacturing firms; $112,000 to assist in the
development of an expert software system to produce customized recommendations
for cleaning system improvements for automotive-part remanufacturers;
and $250,000 to demonstrate the benefits of the expert software system
and cleaning technologies at 5 remanufacturing facilities in New York
State.
NYSERDA and the National Center for Remanufacturing & Resource
Recovery are currently developing a fourth phase for a project that
will demonstrate efficient wash and rinse water recycling systems
for New York State remanufacturing companies. NYSERDA anticipates
providing $225,000 in funds for this initiative.
NYSERDA is a public-benefit corporation established by the State
Legislature in 1975 to address the State's energy and environmental
challenges in ways that also benefit the economy. Funding for the
projects with RIT comes in part from NYSERDA's New York Energy Smart
program, which is 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
of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland,
and Rochester Gas and Electric. NYSERDA administers SBC funds and
programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.
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