Project Will Dramatically Enhance Museum Displays while Saving Money and Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions
WHITE PLAINS – (RealEstateRama) — The New York Power Authority today announced the completion of an energy-efficiency project at the New York State Museum that will save nearly $200,000 in annual energy and maintenance costs and reduce greenhouse gases by approximately 900 tons annually, the equivalent of taking 190 cars off the road. The completion of this clean energy project helps New York achieve its goal of reducing emissions 40 percent by 2030 and meet Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard, which mandates that 50 percent of electricity used in the state come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
NYPA provided more than $1.7 million in financing for the energy efficiency upgrades, which were carried out under Governor Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY program, a comprehensive statewide initiative to increase energy efficiency in public buildings.
Today’s announcement was made at an event in Albany hosted by NYPA at the State Museum commemorating the completion of project. BuildSmart NY is also a cornerstone of the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to create an energy system that is more clean, resilient, and affordable for all New Yorkers. Administered by NYPA, BuildSmart NY calls for a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency in state buildings by 2020.
“The completion of this clean energy lighting project at the State Museum is another example of the progress we are making every day in New York toward getting to a cleaner, more resilient and affordable clean energy economy under REV,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman, Energy and Finance, Office of the Governor. “This project not only lowers the bottom-line costs of operating the museum but it avoids the release of harmful emissions that hurt our environment.”
“Under BuildSmart, the Power Authority is investing hundreds of millions of dollars into energy efficiency technology all across the state,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “By reducing the energy use of government buildings, we are cutting our carbon footprint and moving toward a clean energy economy.”
All of the existing, inefficient incandescent lighting throughout the museum exhibit areas was replaced with high-performance LED track lighting. In total, approximately 2,000 fixtures were installed, along with a lighting control system that enables staff to light specific areas and pathways.
“Hundreds of thousands of visitors—from families to children to tourist groups—visit the State Museum every year,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa. “The new lighting system is cost-effective, energy-efficient, and allows visitors to have a new and improved experience at the museum.”
“The State Education Department is proud to partner with the New York Power Authority on this energy-saving lighting project throughout the State Museum galleries,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia.“The new lighting system has greatly transformed the galleries and will enhance visitors’ experience at the museum.”
As a sustainable city, we support efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions wherever possible,” said Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan. “Not only is this lighting project a positive development for the New York State Museum, but it’s good for the environment and good for taxpayers. We thank Governor Cuomo, NYPA and SED for their ongoing commitment to projects that promote energy efficiency in public buildings.”
The museum chose to update its aging lighting system to improve the quality of each exhibit in the museum. The museum will be paid back on its LED efficiency investment in four years. National Grid provided a $135,000 incentive for the project.
“We thank the New York Power Authority for their outstanding work on the lighting project,” said State Museum Director Mark Schaming. “The museum galleries are illuminated like never before, thanks to the dedication of the staff who worked on this project over the last year.”
“National Grid is on the forefront of energy efficiency providing incentives for businesses and organizations to reduce their energy usage and bills in an environmental manner,” said National Grid New York President Ken Daly. “We are delighted to brightly and cleanly light the past history and cultural richness of New York State while together with the state we advance the Reforming the Energy Vision, or REV, agenda for the future.”
NYPA and the State Education Department are also in development to install additional LED lighting in the library and throughout office space in the Cultural Education Center, where the museum is located. The $4.1 million project is expected to save nearly $400,000 in annual energy costs and be completed in 2019.
“I commend NYPA and NYSED for their collaboration on energy efficient upgrades to the New York State Museum, a leading cultural attraction in the Capital District,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “This project will reduce energy use, lower costs to the taxpayers and help the museum enhance programming for the public. It also helps us get one step closer to being the greenest county in New York State.”
“This energy efficient lighting project at the New York State Museum not only will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, but will also save taxpayers money,” said Senator Neil Breslin. “Finding ways for our public buildings to be environmentally efficient is important to our state’s future and I applaud Governor Cuomo for this continued effort through the BuildSmart NY program.”
“Thanks to NYPA and NYSED, the New York State Museum can take advantage of new energy-efficient lighting that will lead to just under a quarter million dollars in energy costs savings, undoubtedly a win for state taxpayers and our environment,” said Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy.
“What better way to show of history than in a new light,” said Assemblyman John T. McDonald III. “The collaborative effort of the New York Power Authority and the New York State Museum has provided an improved environment for the thousands of visitors to the New York State Museum and at the same time a cost saving and environmentally appropriate venue to share our state’s critical history.”
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:
Paul DeMichele | Paul.DeMichele (at) nypa (dot) gov | (914) 390-8186
