Projects Support New York State’s Clean Energy Standard for 50 Percent of Electricity to Come From Renewables by 2030
BUFFALO – (RealEstateRama) — The New York Power Authority today announced the completion of new energy-efficient lighting projects in Buffalo’s City Hall and on its downtown streets that will save the city more than $65,000 in annual energy costs. The new LED fixtures will last thousands of hours longer than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and use a fraction of the electricity, helping the city reach its goal of becoming 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020.
The completion of this project advances Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy and recently enacted Clean Energy Standard, a nation-leading mandate to supply 50 percent of New York’s electricity from renewable energy resources by 2030.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was joined by New York Power Authority Chairman John R. Koelmel and President Gil C. Quiniones and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to mark the completion of the projects at a ceremony at Buffalo City Hall. The Buffalo projects were made possible with technical and financial support provided under Governor Cuomo’s Five Cities Energy Plans.
“I am proud that my hometown of Buffalo is embracing projects that save taxpayer dollars and protect our environment,” said Lieutenant Governor Hochul, “These projects not only demonstrate how New York’s cities and communities are playing a leading role in combatting climate change, but also serve as an example for how the public and private sectors can work together to build a better future for all New Yorkers.”
The project includes the installation of LED lighting outside of City Hall and in downtown sections of Genesee and Niagara streets. The installation is being carried out under Governor Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY initiative, which helps cities in the state work toward the goal of cutting energy use 20 percent by 2020 for municipal buildings and 20 percent by 2030 citywide, including private buildings. Administered by NYPA, the Five Cities program helps Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers reduce overall energy costs and carbon emissions, advance energy sustainability and support the creation of clean-energy technology and jobs. The effort also supports the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system and his Clean Energy Standard, which requires half of all electricity used in the state come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
New York Power Authority is also funding an energy audit at Buffalo’s City Hall to identify other potential energy efficiency measures the city can implement as well as a city-wide street-lighting audit and design to further explore the potential of an LED conversion.
Buffalo is an active participant in a $5 million race-to-the-top competition announced by the Governor in October that will award funding for forward-thinking, advanced energy projects that will make the cities more energy efficient and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. The race-to-the-top competition seeks applications from representatives of each of the cities for energy efficiency or energy saving projects, including project scope, project timeline and estimated energy savings. Successful applications are eligible for up to $500,000 in funding per project and cities can submit for multiple projects.
“I’m particularly proud of the work underway in my hometown to redefine its energy future,” said John R. Koelmel, NYPA chairman. “With support from Governor Cuomo’s clean energy initiatives, Buffalo is becoming a champion of renewable energy and sustainability.”
“The energy-saving projects we are celebrating today in Buffalo are a small illustration of work taking place all over the state,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “We’re all looking forward to seeing the creativity and innovation on display as the cities compete with energy-saving ideas that will contribute to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New York.”
Under Five Cities, launched in 2015, the cities received state funds and technical expertise to hire energy managers and analysts to design energy plans fitted to each individual city and their specific needs and goals, providing more control over how they consume energy. Including the projects announced today, the program has provided $4 million in funding for various energy efficiency projects that have saved the five cities $1.5 million in annual energy costs and reduced carbon emissions by 7,380 metric tons, or the equivalent of taking 1,560 cars off the road.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “I’m proud of my administration’s continued commitment to energy conservation and clean-energy development which enables our city to save taxpayers money, create green jobs, improve city facility performance, and protect public health and the environment. By bringing LED lighting to city buildings and roadways, implementing Complete Streets and other energy measures included in the city of Buffalo Green Code, as well as expanding solar power in Buffalo, we’re achieving our goal of creating a cleaner community and stronger economy.”
Senator Tim Kennedy said, “New York State is a national leader in cutting our carbon emissions, and Buffalo is playing its part. Under Governor Cuomo’s Five Cities Energy Plans initiative, Buffalo is greener than ever, and these new projects are lighting a clear path forward to a more sustainable energy-efficient future.”
Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes said,”Clean Energy is the way to a more efficient and healthy society. I applaud Governor Cuomo for the Five Cities Energy Plans and Mayor Brown and his administration for identifying ways to improve municipal building efficiency.”
About Reforming the Energy Vision:
Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York’s economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency, in part through the recent adoption of New York’s Clean Energy Standard which requires that 50% of the state’s electricity needs be generated from renewable energy sources by 2030. Already, REV has driven 600% growth in the statewide solar market, enabled more than 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean-tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and achieves the internationally recognized target of reducing emissions 80% by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor’s $5.3 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @REV4NY.
About NYPA:
NYPA is the nation’s largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. For more information visit http://www.nypa.gov/ and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, and LinkedIn.
Contact:
Steve Gosset | Steven.Gosset (at) nypa (dot) gov | (914) 390-8192
Maura Balaban | Maura.Balaban (at) nypa (dot) gov | (914) 390-8171
