2004
For Release: Immediately
CONTACT: Peter Sigurdson (716) 842-1522 ext. 3006 NYSERDA Announces Funding For Innovative Agriculture Projects
Free Farm Energy Audits Part of Program
Albany, New York - 7/12/2004 - New York State farmers can help their business grow by taking advantage of financial incentives offered through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) which include a free energy audit of their agri-business as well as funds to help promote better waste management and deploy underutilized energy-efficient farming technologies.
"NYSERDA has created financial incentives and programming specifically tailored to our farming community because we recognize farming and agri-business is one of the State's leading industries," said NYSERDA President Peter R. Smith.
One of the key incentives in this program, Smith said, is a free energy audit for New York farmers. The audit, conducted by energy service companies contracted with NYSERDA, provide basic energy auditing services free-of-charge for qualifying farms and agri-businesses.
"The no-cost audit provides farmers with a standard, no-frills energy audit of their operation, and identifies areas and processes where increased energy-efficiency can be achieved," Smith said. "These services are provided by engineering and energy service companies that specialize in farm energy audits and farming-related practices, Smith added."
In addition, Smith said NYSERDA currently offers financial incentives for better waste management practices and deployment of underutilized technologies through the "Innovations in Agriculture" program. A total of $1 million is available under this program. Contracts will be awarded up to $200,000 per project or $75,000 per feasibility study. At least a 50 percent cost-sharing is preferred for both awards.
Smith said the program interest areas include: (a) development and demonstration of data management systems and services for use in improving the operations of digesters and composting facilities, (b) demonstration of innovative composting methods and manure solid use, (c) evaluation of off-farm inputs for digestion and composting; aggregation of multi-farm waste inputs and products, (d) Evaluation of biogas cleanup methods, engine emissions reductions, and other emerging air emissions issues, (e) demonstration of energy-efficient uses of biogas, (f) development and evaluation of energy-efficient manure management methods (funding for this category capped at $75,000), and (g) deployment of any underutilized energy-efficient farm improvements, for all types of agricultural activities, not just those involved in farm waste management.
"The goals of this program are two fold. We encourage farmers to explore better ways to improve their waste management practices. We also are looking to provide financial incentive to encourage farmers to implement underutilized technologies so that the practice can be potentially commercialized, replicated or results transferred within New York State, Smith added."
The deadline for submitting applications under the Innovations in Agriculture Program is 5 pm EST on August 19, 2004.
Funding for the Innovations in Agriculture Program is provided through NYSERDA's New York Energy $martSM program, which lowers electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.
All New York Energy $martSM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.
Additional information about these programs can be obtained at www.nyserda.org or by calling toll-free 1-866-697-3732.
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