NYPA Financing $1.7 Million Project that Will Enhance Exhibits, Improve Visitor Experience
WHITE PLAINS – (RealEstateRama) — The New York Power Authority has begun a lighting upgrade project at the New York State Museum in Albany that is expected to save more than $160,000 in annual energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 tons a year, the equivalent of taking 190 cars off the road.
The project, which is being financed and implemented by the New York Power Authority, is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY program, a comprehensive statewide initiative to increase energy efficiency in public buildings. BuildSmart NY is a key program underpinning the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a cleaner, more affordable and resilient energy system for all New Yorkers, and supports the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.
“Energy-saving measures like the State Museum project are what will help define the success of REV,” said Richard Kauffman, chairman, Energy and Finance, Office of the Governor. “This project will lower the bottom-line costs of operating the museum and work toward the larger goal of achieving a clean energy economy in New York State.”
BuildSmart NY, which was launched in 2012, will save millions of taxpayer dollars while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. State-owned buildings currently consume approximately five percent of the energy used by all buildings in New York.
NYPA is partnering with the New York State Education Department, which runs the museum. The Power Authority is providing more than $1.7 million in financing for the energy efficiency upgrades.
Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO, said, “The Power Authority is actively partnering with numerous government entities across the state to lower carbon emissions and reduce costs for taxpayers. This project will enable the great exhibits in the museum to literally be seen in a whole new light.”
All of the existing, inefficient incandescent lighting throughout the museum’s exhibit areas will be replaced with high-performance LED track lighting. About 2,000 fixtures will be installed, along with a lighting-control system that will enable staff to illuminate specific areas and pathways to meet the particular needs of an exhibit.
“The State Museum is proud to partner with the New York Power Authority on this energy-saving lighting project throughout the museum galleries,” said State Museum Director Mark Schaming. “The new system will transform the visitor experience, enhance the light quality throughout the galleries, and save energy.”
The project is expected to complete this summer.
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
