FOR RELEASE: Immediately October 8, 2003
CONTACT: Peter Sigurdson NYSERDA 842-1522, ext. 3006
Nadine Marrero Buffalo Place Inc. 856-3150
Buffalo Place Inc. Enters into Agreement with NYSERDA to Become an
Energy Target Zone
Buffalo Place Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving
the economic health and quality of life in downtown Buffalo, today
entered into a formal agreement with the New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to become an Energy Target Zone.
The agreement was signed by NYSERDA Acting President Peter R. Smith
and Buffalo Place Inc. Executive Director Michael T. Schmand.
"The decision by the Buffalo Place Inc. to become an Energy
Target Zone is exciting news for NYSERDA and downtown Buffalo. As
a designated Energy Target Zone, Buffalo Place Inc. has agreed to
learn more about our programs and energy efficiency, and then to aggressively
carry this message to other businesses and building owners along and
adjacent to Main Street," said Smith.
Buffalo Place Inc. Executive Director Schmand said: "Buffalo
Place wants to help downtown businesses learn about the many NYSERDA
programs that reduce building operation expenses by increasing energy
efficiency. We are also looking forward to working with NYSERDA on
the recommendations included in the Queen City Hub, the new regional
action plan to be released by the City this fall."
Smith said the Energy Target Zone initiative falls under the New
York Energy $martSM Communities program, an offshoot
of the U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America program. Erie County
is a co-sponsor of Western New York Energy $martSM
Communities, covering a five-county area, and helped introduce NYSERDA's
programs and the Energy Target Zone concept to Buffalo Place Inc.
"NYSERDA is grateful to Erie County for co-sponsoring the New
York Energy $martSM Communities initiative and for
reaching out to Buffalo Place Inc. NYSERDA's Buffalo Regional Office
has worked well with Erie County and its Regional Coordinator,"
Smith said.
"New York Energy $martSM Communities and their
Target Zones focus resources to regional and local needs by bringing
together organizations and agencies that contribute to model projects
which demonstrate how energy-efficiency and energy resource approaches
can be used to create economic, social and environmental benefits,"
Smith said
"The ultimate goal is to transfer these model projects to the
rest of the region. To help achieve this, New York Energy $martSM
Communities provides information and support at the local level to
individuals and organizations, such as Buffalo Place Inc., interested
in energy efficiency and NYSERDA programs, Smith added.
"I would also like to commend Erie County and Energy $mart Communities
Coordinator Isabell Berger for co-sponsoring the New York Energy
$martSM Communities initiative and for working closely
with Buffalo Place Inc. to achieve this designation. It is truly great
news for Buffalo that Buffalo Place Inc. has decided to become an
Energy Target Zone. This important partnership will help encourage
decision makers and business leaders to adopt energy efficiency as
a key strategy for economic development in Buffalo," Smith said.
Smith said some energy-efficiency partnerships that NYSERDA has entered
into with businesses that fall within Buffalo Place Inc. and the new
Energy Target Zone include:
- Shea's Performing Arts Center
- Pearl Street Brewing
- Irish Classical Theater Building
- Buffalo and Erie County Library
- HSBC Bank
- Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
Buffalo Place Inc. was formed in the late 1970s under the name Downtown
Buffalo Management Council in response to the plan to turn downtown
Buffalo's Main Street into a pedestrian/transit mall with the Light
Rail Rapid Transit system. It was renamed Buffalo Place Inc. in the
late 1980's when its mission was concentrated on marketing and planning
for downtown Buffalo.
Funding for this project came from NYSERDA's 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) paid by electric distribution customers
of participating utilities including Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG,
Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.
The programs are available to all electric distribution customers
(residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) who pay into
the SBC.
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975,
administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public
Service Commission. Additional information about these programs can
be obtained at www.nyserda.org or 1-866-NYSERDA.
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