BuildSmart NY Project to Save SUNY Campus $400,000 in Energy Costs
Supports New York’s Clean Energy Standard and Mandate for 50% Renewables by 2030
New York — (RealEstateRama) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of a New York Power Authority $9.2 million energy efficiency project that will save SUNY Purchase College about $400,000 in annual energy costs. The completion of this project advances the Governor’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.
“The completion of this clean energy project is a win-win-win that will help fight climate change, increase energy efficiency and cut costs at SUNY Purchase,” Governor Cuomo said, “This project is a concrete result of the BuildSmart NY innovative and brings us one step closer to a cleaner, greener New York for all.”
Upgrades include the upkeep or replacement of four cooling towers, the installation of a new building management system, and an underground water condenser system. These improvements will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 360 tons a year—the equivalent of removing 76 cars from the road.
Implemented by New York Power Authority, these measures are being carried out under Governor Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY initiative to drive a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency in state facilities by 2020, and is also supported by the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
Chairman of Energy and Finance Richard Kauffman said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership New York is leading on climate change and demonstrating the power of public-private partnerships to reduce costs and harmful emissions. The New York Power Authority and its BuildSmart NY initiative are critical elements of the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy and our goal to meet 50% of our electricity needs with renewable energy by 2030.”
Gil C. Quiniones, New York Power Authority President and CEO said, “This project is the latest in a long string of energy-saving measures we’ve worked on with SUNY campuses statewide. Many SUNY campuses are well on their way toward meeting the BuildSmart goal of reducing energy use 20 percent by 2020.”
The New York Power Authority is partnering with SUNY on 17 other energy-efficiency projects designed eliminate more than 10,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, the equivalent of removing 2,240 cars from the road. To date, The New York Power Authority has completed more than 100 energy efficiency projects on 34 State University of New York campuses, totaling nearly $236 million and resulting in almost $20 million in annual savings.
Thomas J. Schwarz, President of Purchase College said, “Environmental sustainability and conservation are priorities in all aspects of campus life. I’m proud that Purchase, which has been selected by the Princeton Review as one of the ‘greenest’ schools in the country, continues to demonstrate leadership in energy efficiency.”
“I applaud Governor Cuomo, the New York Power Authority, President Schwarz and SUNY Purchase for the completion of this energy efficiency project,” Assemblyman David Buchwald said. “I am pleased to see that our state university system is taking steps to combat climate change and reaching our renewable energy goals by 2030.”
Sen. George Latimer said, “This is an impressive step forward, emphasizing the value of partnerships that will improve the environment and save money. The Governor is to be congratulated on this initiative.”
About Build Smart NY
Launched in 2012, BuildSmart NY calls for an increase in energy efficiency in state government buildings by 20 percent by 2020. The initiative will save millions of dollars for taxpayers and create thousands of jobs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To date, New Yorkers have saved tens of millions of dollars in utility costs under Build Smart NY.
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. Reforming the Energy Vision 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 and generating 50% of the state’s electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, Reforming the Energy Vision has driven 600% growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 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. Reforming the Energy Vision is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80% by 2050. To learn more about Reforming the Energy Vision, including the Governor’s $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY.
