NYSERDA Funding Helps Trim Binghamton Energy Costs
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, May 3, 2001
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3250.
Binghamton, NY – New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) President William M. Flynn will join Binghamton
Mayor Richard Bucci at City Hall on Thursday May 3 at 10:00 a.m. to
discuss energy efficiency efforts undertaken by the City to reduce
energy consumption and lower costs.
The City of Binghamton recently participated in an energy efficiency
study co-funded by NYSERDA. NYSERDA provided $50,000 to offset half
of the study’s expenses and help the City determine where it
could reduce energy consumption.
“We identified substantial savings could be achieved by installing
a more efficient traffic light system,” Binghamton Mayor Richard
Bucci said. “We spend more than $2 million a year in energy
costs and this is an opportunity to reduce usage and costs. It’s
a guaranteed energy- savings program.”
As part of a performance contract program developed by NYSERDA, Siemens
Building Technologies, Inc. was hired by the City to assess energy-reducing
opportunities. The study concluded that the City would save $200,000
per year in energy expenses once the energy improvements are made.
Currently, the City of Binghamton is evaluating several options.
Besides replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment
in City Hall as well as making various conversions from electric to
gas, the City is analyzing the feasibility of centralized energy management.
By using a computer energy management program, the City would be able
to profile its entire energy usage by place, time, rate and price.
“Essentially, this system would monitor how we’re using
energy,” said Bucci. “We would be able to track our power
and have an idea of who, what, when and where it is being used and
make the necessary adjustments to reduce consumption and costs.”
With no up-front cost, it is estimated that the City could pay for
the suggested improvements in about seven years using the money from
the energy savings.
“Governor Pataki has stressed the importance of working with
municipalities across the State to help lower their energy usage
and costs,” said NYSERDA President William M. Flynn. “With
the growing concern over energy prices, we are encouraging other
cities and towns to take advantage NYSERDA’s programs.”
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