N.Y. POWER AUTHORITY FUNDS ENERGY-SAVING LIGHT REPLACEMENTS IN YONKERS

For Immediate Release: 08/09/16

Contact: 
Maura Balaban | Maura.Balaban@nypa.gov | (914) 390-8171

N.Y. POWER AUTHORITY FUNDS ENERGY-SAVING LIGHT REPLACEMENTS IN YONKERS

WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority today announced it has implemented a project to install 20,000 LED bulbs in Yonkers that will save the Westchester County city $250,000 in annual energy costs.

The project is part of NYPA’s Five Cities initiative, which is aimed at increasing energy efficiency and clean energy resources in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Yonkers, the largest cities in the state outside New York City.

The Yonkers LED project, announced today at an event there, is financed by NYPA, which covers the installation of LED bulbs at various municipal buildings as well as for exterior lighting at City Hall. LED bulbs are typically at least 30 percent more energy-efficient than the fluorescent tubes being replaced in Yonkers.

Five Cities expands upon Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY Program, to make state-owned and managed buildings 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020. The cities will work toward the goal of cutting energy use 20 percent by 2020 for municipal buildings and 20 percent by 2030 citywide, including private buildings. If the cities reach those goals, NYPA estimates they can save a combined $400 million every year on energy costs.

The program also supports the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system and help meet his goal under the recently enacted Clean Energy Standard of having 50 percent of power used in the state come from renewable sources by 2030.

“These kinds of city-state collaborations will save energy, promote sustainability and revitalize communities,” said Gil Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “Working directly with the leaders of the five cities, we are making significant strides in reducing carbon emissions, creating jobs, and improving the reliability and resiliency of the energy infrastructure at the local level.”

“New York State continues to set the bar in energy efficiency programs and Yonkers is proud to be part of an initiative as transformative as the Five Cities Energy Plan,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Working in partnership with our Governor and NYPA, Yonkers continues to lead the way in urban sustainability, significantly reducing our carbon footprint while saving millions in energy costs.”

About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) 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 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. REV 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 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 @Rev4

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 visithttp://www.nypa.gov/and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy,Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, and LinkedIn.