RELEASE: Immediate, October 23, 2002
CONTACT: Colleen Quinn, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090 ext. 3359
Central Towers to Receive Nearly $500,000 through
NYSERDA's Assisted Multifamily Building Program
Albany, NY - - The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) announced today an energy efficiency project with
Central Towers that will help them save more than $84,000 in energy
costs annually. Central Towers is a 308-unit multifamily building
located on Central Avenue in Albany, which is occupied by mainly low-income
tenants.
NYSERDA's Assisted Multifamily Program (AMP) provided Central Towers
with an energy audit, and financial packaging assistance from HR&A,
an engineering firm working with NYSERDA, which will allow Central
Towers to receive more than $160,000 in funding through NYSERDA. Central
Towers will also receive a New York Energy $martSM
Loan totaling $313,600.
AMP provides a range of incentives to publicly assisted, multifamily
buildings in New York State for energy-efficient rehabilitation and
construction. Incentives include appliance and lighting replacement,
interest rate reductions for energy-efficiency loans, and a range
of other incentives to make energy efficiency measures feasible. The
program's goal is to improve energy efficiency and energy management
in the State's publicly assisted housing, reducing the energy burden
for low-income customers. AMP is one of many residential type programs
implemented by NYSERDA's Residential Energy Affordability Program.
President of NYSERDA, William M. Flynn said, "Governor Pataki
and NYSERDA support projects such as this under the Assisted Multifamily
Program because they help our efforts to reduce energy costs, improve
the environment, and the State's economy." "The Central
Towers project is a prime example of how multifamily buildings can
benefit from energy efficiency improvements."
Senator Neil Breslin said, "I applaud Central Towers for partnering
with NYSERDA to improve the energy efficiency of their building through
the Assisted Multifamily Program. The benefits not only involve cost
savings, but a more comfortable living environment for the tenants.
I hope to see more multifamily buildings in the Capital Region take
the same steps to reduce their energy costs."
Assemblyman John McEneny said, "NYSERDA and Central Towers should
be proud of the benefits gained through the Assisted Multifamily Program.
Projects such as this help strengthen the State's energy future. Central
Towers will realize significant cost savings of $84,000 annually through
this energy efficiency project."
A full energy audit performed on Central Towers resulted in recommendations
to install an energy-monitoring computer that controls the boiler
system and ten apartment temperature sensors. Recommendations also
included ceiling insulation, common area lighting, and use of a water-pressure
booster pump, a modified ventilation system, and a boiler system upgrade.
Central Towers is currently installing compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs
into all 308 apartments. CFL's are highly energy efficient and will
help reduce energy costs in the building.
Central Towers will see nearly 152,000 kWh saved per year. That
is equivalent to powering 25 homes for one year. More projects such
as this can increase that number and realize even more energy savings
for the State. Annually, Central Towers will save approximately $84,000
in energy savings. Currently, NYSERDA has 1,367 buildings under the
Assisted Multifamily Program statewide, representing 82,148 apartments,
and the numbers keep growing.
Funding for this project comes from NYSERDA's New York Energy
$martSM program, which is designed to lower electricity
costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities
move to competition. The programs are available to all electric distribution
customers (residential, commercial, institutional and industrial)
of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland,
and Rochester Gas and Electric.
All New York Energy $martSM programs are funded
by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers
of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation
established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under
an agreement with the Public Service Commission.
For more information on the Assisted Multifamily Program and other
NYSERDA programs visit our website at www.nyserda.org or call 1-866-NYSERDA.
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