2007

Agency contacts:                                         NYSERDA spokesperson:
Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com)        Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org)
Phone: 978-525-3742                                    Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3359
                                                                   www.getenergysmart.org

Mary Ingram-Schatz (mary@ingramschatz.com)
Phone: 773-955-2126

New Yorkers Take Real Steps to Reduce Pollution
State's 'BE COOL' incentive helps Con Edison customers save energy and reduce carbon emissions by over 650,000 pounds per year

NEW YORK, NY - September 7, 2007: Thousands of residents of New York City and Westchester County have already taken steps to reduce carbon emissions this summer by turning in their old, energy wasting air conditioners and replacing them with ENERGY STAR^® qualified models. As fall approaches, many people remove their window air conditioners in preparation for cooler weather, making it the perfect time to make the energy efficient upgrade.

New Yorkers have already reduced the city's carbon emissions by 395 tons per year. Since air conditioners will be collected through the end of September there is still time for New Yorkers to make an even greater impact.

The state's BE COOL campaign, sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Con Edison, targets single- and multi-family residential customers of Con Edison electric service in New York City and Westchester County. Residents in these areas may earn $35 for each window-based unit turned in and $100 for each through-the-wall unit turned in when they purchase a new ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioner.

Managers of multi-family buildings can contact NYSERDA directly to complete a change-out of all the units in their building. 

ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners use 10 to 25 percent less energy than a conventional new model or up to 40 percent less energy than a 10-year-old unit. Additionally, ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners often include timers or programmable thermostats for better temperature control, allowing residents to use the minimum amount of energy needed to cool a room, and to cool the room only when it's really needed.

"NYSERDA's BE COOL campaign represents a huge opportunity for New Yorkers to reduce both their energy use and carbon emissions," says Paul Tonko, president and CEO NYSERDA.  "We are all reading and hearing more about the environment these days.  This is one way for New Yorkers to really begin taking action."

 "I urge all New Yorkers to take advantage of these programs to make saving energy even more cost-effective," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "By taking these easy steps in their homes, New Yorkers can lower their electricity bills, help prevent blackouts, and help prevent climate change.  Helping consumers save energy is a key component of our plaNYC effort to build a greener, greater New York, and we are proud to be working with NYSERDA on this program."  

Visit www.GetEnergySmart.org or call 1-877-NY-SMART (1-877-697-6278) for more information about BE COOL and other summer energy saving tips.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy.

NYPA is the Empire State's largest supplier of electricity and provides energy-saving services and clean energy technologies to public institutions such as schools, hospitals and universities.  Visit www.nypa.gov to learn more about the New York Power Authority.

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