FOR RELEASE: Immediate: April 14, 2003
CONTACT: Colleen Quinn, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3359.
Maria Vargas, EPA
(202) 564-7711
vargas.maria@epa.gov
EPA AND DOE NAME NYSERDA ENERGY STAR 2003 Award Winner
NYSERDA earns award for protecting the environment
through energy efficiency
Albany, NY - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has named the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as a leader in energy
efficiency. As a partner in the ENERGY STAR program, NYSERDA has made
outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by
bringing ENERGY STAR to New York State. NYSERDA's accomplishments
will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April
15th, 2003.
A partner in the program since 1998, NYSERDA is being honored for
its efforts to raise awareness about the ENERGY STAR program by encouraging
customers to use energy-efficient products and services in their homes.
NYSERDA, was honored for its innovative Home Performance with ENERGY
STAR initiative, which is a public service developed under the New
York Energy $martSM program. Home Performance with
ENERGY STAR focuses on testing and treating existing homes to help
New Yorkers save up to 40% on monthly energy bills, help reduce environmental
impact, and make the home safer, healthier, and more comfortable.
The testing and improvements are conducted by specially trained Certified
Home Performance Contractors. The Building Performance Institute (BPI),
a national resource for assessing and improving the energy performance
of homes, provides the certification.
"NYSERDA is pleased to be a part of the ENERGY STAR program,"
said Peter R. Smith, Acting President of NYSERDA. "Under Governor
Pataki's leadership, we have made the ENERGY STAR program a cornerstone
of our energy efficiency program. Being able to offer New Yorkers
affordable and energy-efficient options that save money while protecting
the environment has been key to helping reduce energy use in New York."
In 2001 alone, ENERGY STAR helped Americans save enough energy to
power 10 million homes and reduce the air pollution equivalent to
taking 12 million cars off the road -- all while saving consumers
$6 billion.
The ENERGY STAR Award is given to a variety of organizations to recognize
their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting
in significant cost savings. These Award Winners are selected from
thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
"NYSERDA exemplifies the national, regional and local promotional
work that successfully brings ENERGY STAR to so many consumers,"
said Kathleen Hogan, director of EPA's Climate Protection Partnerships
Division. "We are lucky to have these quality partners delivering
community-based ENERGY STAR resources."
About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975,
administers the New York Energy $martSM program
under an agreement with the Public Service Commission. All New
York Energy $martSM programs are funded by a System
Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of Central
Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and
Rochester Gas and Electric.
New York Energy $martSM programs are designed to
lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's
electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available
to electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional,
and industrial) who pay into the System Benefits Charge (SBC).
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency
in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce air pollution
through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the
Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and
consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help
protect the environment for future generations. More than 7,000 organizations
have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the
energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information
about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov
or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).
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