NYSERDA Developing Energy
Efficiency Standards for State Equipment Purchases
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, October 24, 2001
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3250.
Albany, NY – At the direction of Governor Pataki and the State
Legislature, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
today announced that it has awarded a $188,000 contract to Arthur
D. Little to develop minimum energy efficiency standards for certain
types of equipment purchased by the State.
"Improved energy efficiency is increasingly important to
New York State and the nation as we seek ways to preserve the environment,
stimulate economic development, and reduce our dependence on imported
petroleum," said NYSERDA President William Flynn.
Arthur D. Little will work with NYSERDA to gather information on
existing voluntary standards and guidelines for these products; select
and analyze potential standards levels to assess cost effectiveness,
product availability and other relevant issues; and develop standards
recommendations including proposed language.
In addition, Arthur D. Little will support NYSERDA in establishing
product efficiency standards and assist with preparing for the rule-
making process required by the State Administrative Procedures Act.
"This initiative perfectly complements our work with the
State's agencies to comply with Governor Pataki's executive order
requiring agencies to reduce energy consumption and purchase renewable
energy," Flynn said.
In September 2000, Governor Pataki signed the law (Article 5, Section
5-108-a of New York State's Energy Law) directing NYSERDA to establish
minimum efficiency standards for specific products and appliances.
The law requires NYSERDA, in consultation with the Office of General
Services, to enact these standards between April 1, 2002 and April
1, 2003. Eighteen products and appliances are identified, including:
fluorescent lamp ballasts, central air conditioners, room air conditioners,
package terminal air conditioners, heat pumps, electric motors, refrigerators,
freezers, refrigerator-freezers, water heaters, lamps, luminaries,
dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, furnaces, boilers, and
chillers.
Additional products may be added to the regulations and NYSERDA
is interested in evaluating potential standards for exit signs, traffic
signals, and office equipment.
NYSERDA has also established an advisory committee comprised of
representatives from industry, environmental advocacy organizations,
and state agencies. The advisory committee will identify issues of
concern related to proposed standards recommendations, relay information
about the proposed standards to their respective constituencies, and
act as a conduit between NYSERDA and the committee representatives'
respective constituencies.
In addition to developing efficiency standards for equipment purchases,
NYSERDA is spearheading the multi-agency task force created in June
2001 to develop and implement strategies to comply with Executive
Order No. 111.
This order obligates state agencies to seek ways to reduce energy
consumption by 35% and purchase 20% of electricity from renewable
energy resources by the year 2010. It further directs that agencies
should procure Energy Star products when purchasing or replacing equipment
and follow guidelines established by NYSERDA for products for which
no Energy Star label is available. Energy efficiency standards for
commonly purchased equipment and appliances will help achieve those
goals.
NYSERDA is a public-benefit corporation established by the State
Legislature in 1975 to address the State's energy and environmental
challenges in ways that also benefit the economy. NYSERDA helps New
York State businesses develop energy and environmental products, commercializing
the type of high-value-added products that give New York State businesses
a chance to compete in the expanding global marketplace. NYSERDA also
helps New York State energy consumers identify cost-effective energy
efficiency measures that lower their operating costs and reduce environmental
emissions.
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