NYSERDA Press Releases

Voorheesville Central School District Receives State Assistance
For Construction Project

Albany, NY – The Voorheesville Central School will be operating more efficiently this school year. The District received more than $37,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for the energy-efficient measures that were installed into the newly renovated Clayton A. Bouton Junior-Senior High School. The renovations and new equipment will save Voorheesville Central School District more than $13,000 annually.

"I applaud Voorheesville Central School District for incorporating energy efficiency into this project. Valuable taxpayer money will be saved as result of these improvements," said NYSERDA Acting President Peter R. Smith. "NYSERDA's New Construction Program is providing significant financial and technical assistance to schools, businesses, and institutions for construction and renovation projects across the State. These projects not only help reduce energy use, but yield significant environmental and economic benefits."

"Voorheesville Central School District made a smart investment by implementing energy conservation measures into their renovation project at Clayton A. Bouton Junior-Senior High School," said Senator Neil Breslin. "The energy-saving measures that were installed will pay for themselves in less than two years. Thanks to NYSERDA and their New Construction Program, the initial cost of this project was reduced through financial incentives and the technical assistance validated the annual energy savings and evaluated the overall performance of the school."

"I commend the Voorheesville Central School District for taking advantage of NYSERDA's New Construction Program," said Assembly member Jack McEneny "Energy efficiency is important to a building's performance and it's essential to reduce operating costs. Voorheesville Central School District now has a building that will save tax dollars through reduced energy costs and also provide students, faculty, and staff with a comfortable atmosphere to work and study."

Dr. Alan R. McCartney, Superintendent if Voorheesville School District said, "Our school district has a history of looking for ways to be energy efficient. In 1995, we were one of the first school districts in the state to be involved in an Energy Performance Contract. When we were developing our current building project, we turned to NYSERDA as a resource. Not only were they able to provide us $37,000 in funding, they served as a resource and gave us some outstanding conservation ideas that will help the school district control its energy costs for years to come."

The Clayton A Bouton Junior-Senior High School added 60,000 square feet of new space that includes a classroom wing, auditorium, offices, gymnasium, and pool. The renovated areas include a new kitchen, arts room, common area, and more than a dozen classrooms.

NYSERDA's technical assistance firm, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) completed a design study for the high school, working in conjunction with Collins + Scoville Architects, PC and the engineering firm of Schaefer and Associates. The study recommended the following measures:

• Energy management system,
• Variable speed drives on air handling units and pumps,
• Low-emissivity windows,
• High-efficiency chiller,
• Pool dehumidification system with integrated heat recovery
• Occupancy sensors, and
• HID lighting controls.

The project will save nearly 130,000 kWh or enough electricity to power more than 20 homes for a year.

Funding for this project comes from the New York Energy $mart^SM New Construction Program. All New York Energy $mart programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.

New York Energy $mart^SM programs are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available to electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) who pay into the SBC.

###