July 7, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY CLEARINGHOUSE WEBSITE
Website Will Improve Accessibility to State Programs for Schools, Hospitals, and Local Governments
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the launch of an energy efficiency clearinghouse website (http://www.nyserda.org/clearinghouse), which will provide information on State-funded energy efficiency programs available to schools, hospitals and local governments. The Governor called for the creation of a single point of access to information on all State-run energy efficiency programs for schools, hospitals and local governments in his 2009 State of the State Address.
“New York’s clean energy programs help to reduce costs, create jobs, and improve our environment. This clearinghouse will make it easier to access the many great efficiency programs offered by the State by providing a single point of access to the programs,” Governor Paterson said. “We urge every facility administrator to check this comprehensive page for information on energy efficiency programs that can reduce operational costs while spurring clean energy job growth and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.”
The website will encourage participation in energy efficiency upgrades by streamlining the services available to institutions. Schools, hospitals, and local governments, however, will not be the sole beneficiaries of these benefits, as their reduced energy use and associated energy cost reductions can be passed on to taxpayers in the form of decreased local and state taxes. The energy savings created by the available upgrades will result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, cementing New York as a leader in the fight against global warming.
The website was developed through cooperative efforts by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the Department of Public Service (DPS) and the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).
Francis J. Murray, Jr., NYSERDA President and CEO said: “Over the years, NYSERDA has been able to save ratepayers and taxpayers millions of dollars through investments in energy efficiency in schools and government buildings. Programs administered by other State agencies and authorities often compliment NYSERDA’s efforts and the Governor's initiative unites these efforts into a single web site. This one-stop information source will both facilitate better customer access to the State's many energy efficiency assistance programs and achieve even-greater efficiency through more coordinated efforts among NYSERDA and its sister agencies.”
NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Kessel said: “This clearinghouse is a critical step to achieving Governor Paterson’s goal for New York to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and clean renewable energy by 2015. The enhanced information access from this one central website will be of great value in making people aware of the services available to them that support the Governor’s clean energy goals.”
LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law, said: “The Long Island Power Authority is committed to assisting our customers upgrade their facilities with energy-saving measures. In an on-going effort to decrease our dependency on foreign oil and lower our carbon footprint, it is imperative to pool resources and inspire energy efficient projects. Governor Paterson’s central clearinghouse website for State-sponsored energy-upgrade programs is an excellent resource to do just that.”
PSC Chairman Garry Brown said: “The Public Service Commission, in keeping with Governor Paterson’s laudable clean energy goals, has set forth improving energy efficiency in New York as perhaps its single most important primary task. This information clearinghouse, devoted to energy efficiency programs, will help ensure that the State reaches its long-term goals of reducing electricity consumption by 15 percent by 2015. This effort is an outstanding example of the ongoing collaboration that is occurring to build a clean-energy economy.”
Paul T. Williams, Jr. Executive Director of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, said: “We at the Dormitory Authority are proud to play a role in helping to make information about the State’s energy efficiency programs available in one place for easy reference. This new one-stop-shop increases the value of this information and will help make New York a greener and more energy efficient State.”
Acting EFC President Matthew Millea, said: “This web-portal will provide greater access to a variety of funding resources for energy efficiency programs, and is indicative of Governor Paterson’s unwavering encouragement of increased intergovernmental collaboration. EFC welcomes the opportunity to work with NYSERDA and other State agencies to advance innovative solutions to reduce pollution and energy costs throughout New York State.”
