NYSERDA Expands Network of FlexibleTechnical
Assistance Contractors
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, October 1, 2001
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3250.
Albany, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) expanded its network of energy and engineering
consultants offering services through its Flexible Technical (FlexTech)
Assistance Program. The expansion is a response to increased demand
for energy efficiency services and a growing interest in speciality
services such as studies to determine the feasibility of installing
renewable energy systems. NYSERDA recently awarded contracts to 36
firms offering energy efficiency and renewable energy services in
New York State. Previously, NYSERDA had 24 companies offering services
through this program. Of the 36 companies under contract, 16 were
already participating in NYSERDA's FlexTech program while 20 are new
to the program.
Through the FlexTech Program, NYSERDA provides commercial, industrial,
municipal, and institutional utility customers with cost-shared studies
that identify cost-effective opportunities to increase energy efficiency
or install renewable energy systems. Generally, NYSERDA provides 50%
of the cost of the study (up to $50,000) and expects participating
customers to provide the remaining 50%. If customers choose to implement
suggestions recommended as a result of the FlexTech study, NYSERDA
will pay the remaining 50% of the study's cost. NYSERDA also has separate
programs available to defray the costs of implementing recommended
measures.
"Our FlexTech Program is the first stop for most customers
seeking assistance from NYSERDA to lower their energy costs and
improve their efficiency," said NYSERDA President William M.
Flynn. "In order to save energy, you need to know where, when,
and how much energy you are consuming. FlexTech studies gather that
data and formulate plans to cut energy use based on what is economically
and technologically feasible."
The costs of FlexTech studies are payable directly to NYSERDA's
FlexTech consultants. Contract terms limit the amount of money any
one consultant can receive over the course of 3 years. In most cases,
consultants will receive no more than $750,000 in NYSERDA funds for
the FlexTech work they do.
On average, for each dollar NYSERDA invests in FlexTech projects,
customers save $4 in annual energy costs and it typically
takes 3.8 years for implemented measures to pay for themselves
through realized energy savings. Customers interested in receiving
FlexTech services contact NYSERDA directly. NYSERDA's FlexTech
consultants provide services to customers on a rotating basis.
In some cases, FlexTech consultants have specialties that
they focus on such as feasibility studies to identify opportunities
to install renewable energy systems or helping vehicle fleet
owners select alternative-fuel vehicles. Visit NYSERDA's website
(www.nyserda.org/programs/flextech.pdf)
for the complete list and locations of NYSERDA's FlexTech
consultants, or receive a list by contacting NYSERDA toll-free
at 1-866-NYSERDA.
NYSERDA is a public-benefit corporation established by the State
Legislature in 1975 to address the State energy and environmental
challenges in ways that also benefit the economy. NYSERDA's FlexTech
program is funded by a combination of federal grants and money collected
through the New York Energy $mart program, which is financed by a
System Benefits Charge established by the New York State Public Service
Commission on the State's investor-owned utilities to ensure that
important research and development and energy efficiency services
continue during the utilities' transition to competition.
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