2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com)     Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org)
Phone: 978-525-3742                                 Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3359

Multifamily Energy Efficiency Services Get New Look in New York
$150 Million Available To Help State's Multifamily Buildings Save Energy

New York, NY, May 3, 2007 - Officials from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announces the launch of its New York Energy $mart^SM Multifamily Building Performance Program. With $150 million available, the program is an enhanced, combined version of NYSERDA's previous multifamily energy efficiency programs designed to improve the energy efficiency, health and safety of existing and newly constructed residential buildings with five or more units.

"We've taken a really good portfolio of energy efficiency services provided by NYSERDA in the past and made it even better and easier," said NYSERDA President and CEO Peter R. Smith. "The new program is more streamlined, flexible and market-oriented so we can better meet the needs of building owners, developers, facility and property managers.  The program is designed to decrease operating costs, maximize return on investment, increase property value, and improve occupant comfort and tenant retention in the multifamily sector."

The goal is to build and facilitate relationships between building performance specialists and New York multifamily property owners and managers for easy, cost-effective access and adoption of available energy efficiency services and financial incentives. Building specialists who meet NYSERDA's requirements can champion best practices and technologies for increased energy efficiency and lower energy costs for the multifamily sector. Building partnerships and an infrastructure of building performance specialists are fundamental to sound economic practices and environmental stewardship.

The Multifamily Building Performance Program is comprised of two components to serve multifamily owners and managers. The New Construction component is targeted to new buildings or gut rehabs with five or more units in buildings more than three stories. It is designed to improve the building energy performance by 20 percent or more over current ASHRAE standards (90.1-2004, Appendix G).  By meeting energy performance guidelines, the building can earn financial incentives from NYSERDA and receive the ENERGY STAR^® label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The existing buildings component is similarly performance-based. Depending on how efficiently a building currently uses energy, a performance target will be established.  Buildings will receive NYSERDA incentives to help them achieve that target and will receive recognition of their efforts and participation in the Program.  The Multifamily Building Performance Program, through both the New Construction and Existing Buildings components, addresses all combinations of market-rate and low-to moderate-income projects.

 "The program is exciting because it creates a market-based network of building performance specialists who can package energy efficiency services with their other building services, and access performance-based financial incentives for energy upgrades. It creates a competitive advantage for contractors, builders, engineers, and other building professionals who can  influence capital expenditures and investment in energy efficiency upgrades.  The more energy-efficient you want to make your building, the more incentives you can earn showing a positive return on investment to help build business and differentiate services," Smith added.

"At every step, we're looking to the needs of the building performance specialist, owner, property manager or design team to make this program successful," said Smith. "That means a program that works within their schedules and timelines, is performance-based and partner-oriented. We've looked at how the program can work efficiently to meet the demands of today's building market by accessing proven technologies, tapping the knowledge of building performance professionals, and making the whole process easy. "

For more information about the Multifamily Building Performance Program in New York call toll-free 1-877-NY-Smart (697-6278).  

The Multifamily Building Performance Program is sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of the New York Energy $mart^SM programs.

All New York Energy $mart^SM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, National Grid, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.  NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.

New York Energy $mart^SM programs are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition.  The programs are available to electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) who pay into the SBC.

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