NYSERDA Press Releases

Cayuga Community College Expansion Will Use Renewable Energy
NYSERDA To Provide More Than $250,000 For Energy Conservation Measures

Albany, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide more than $250,000 to Cayuga Community College for an expansion project expected to be completed this spring. Using the New York Energy $mart^SM New Construction Program, Cayuga Community College is renovating 33,000 square feet of existing space and constructing a new two-story addition – the Regional Economic Center – that will include a geothermal heat pump system and several energy efficiency measures.

"In an effort to help New York State become more energy independent, NYSERDA is helping institutions, businesses and consumers reduce energy use," said NYSERDA President William M. Flynn. "Whether it's new construction or retrofitting existing buildings, NYSERDA can provide cash incentives for an assortment of energy efficiency measures. As a result of our partnership, Cayuga will reduce their annual energy costs by more than $30,000."

SAIC, Inc., an engineering firm who provides technical assistance on behalf of NYSERDA, worked with Cayuga Community College to review equipment specifications and evaluate an energy-efficient design for the expansion project. The new space will house mostly office space, classrooms and seminar rooms and use a geothermal system, a renewable energy source, for heating and cooling. Using the Earth's relatively constant underground temperatures as either a heat source or heat sink, the geothermal system will reduce the cooling and heating needs of the College.

"From the initial planning stages of the renovation and construction project, we focused on ways to achieve energy efficiency and conservation while enhancing the learning environment," said Dr. Dennis Golladay, Cayuga Community College president. "In partnership with NYSERDA, we will realize that goal thus benefitting the College and the community for years to come."

Other recommended measures to be installed include high-performance windows, energy-efficient lighting, occupancy sensors and premium-efficiency motors. In addition, the school will use heat recovery ventilators that capture heat from building exhaust air to preheat outside ventilation air. By installing the above measures, Cayuga should avoid an annual energy consumption of 273,972 kWh or enough electricity to power more than 45 homes for a year. During the summer months, the College will reduce peak demand by nearly 25 kW.

Part of the State University of New York system, Cayuga is a two-year community college sponsored by Cayuga County and governed by a 10-member board of trustees. Founded in 1953 as Auburn Community College, the name was changed to Cayuga Community College in 1975 once Cayuga County assumed responsibility. With more than 2,500 students, Cayuga's largest degree programs are liberal arts, business, and criminal justice. Serving Oswego and Cayuga counties, 91 percent of Cayuga graduates either transfer to four-year colleges or go straight into the workforce.

Funding for this project is provided through NYSERDA's New York Energy $mart^SM program, which lowers 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 $mart^SM 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.

###