Release

UAlbany East Campus and N.Y. Power Authority Partner to Save $204,000

Contact:
Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980
Brian Warner, NYPA (914) 390-8183

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 13, 2005) -- Senator Joseph L. Bruno joined Kermit L. Hall, president, University at Albany, and Eugene W. Zeltmann, president and chief executive officer, New York Power Authority (NYPA), Tuesday, at the University at Albany East Campus to announce the completion of a $1.5 million NYPA energy efficiency project.

Under Governor George Pataki's leadership NYPA has installed a wide range of energy- saving technologies throughout the State University system. These energy-efficient measures have produced considerable savings, enabling the universities to keep more of their funds for use in the classroom. This is the second major project we have completed at the Albany campus," said Joseph J. Seymour, chairman, New York Power Authority.

"The State University system is one of New York's most valued assets and the work we have completed reflects that importance. We want to thank Senator Bruno for his tireless efforts on behalf of this project. The Power Authority's work in the SUNY system alone exceeds $133 million, with energy costs savings of $14 million annually. Governor Pataki's Executive Order 111 which set ambitious targets for energy efficiency at state-run facilities has been our roadmap to successes like this one today," said Zeltmann.

"The high cost of energy is having a major impact on everyone. It hits the pocketbooks of families. It hurts the bottom line of businesses and it hinders the ability of educational institutions to perform their teaching and research responsibilities. The administrators at the University at Albany deserve a lot of credit for deciding to take control of their energy costs in this manner with such a worthy partner as the New York Power Authority," said Senator Bruno.

Senator Bruno secured a $250,000 grant from the Petroleum Overcharge Restitution (POCR) fund helping to finance the project. The POCR funds are monies recovered in federal cases to compensate consumers for oil industry overcharges in the 1980s. In New York State, the funds are administered by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and used to defray the cost of energy-efficiency improvements at schools and public facilities.

"We're pleased to once again join NYPA to improve energy efficiency at the University at Albany," said Hall. "In August we took a major step in bringing energy-saving programs to UAlbany with an air-cooling project for our main campus. We're now matching this success on our East Campus, thanks to the leadership of Senator Bruno and our alliance with NYPA, a forward-looking government and higher education partnership that benefits our students, our neighbors and the citizens of New York."

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to improve the efficiencies on our East Campus," said Sorrell Chesin, executive director, University at Albany Foundation. "We appreciate the support of Senator Bruno and we look forward to working with the New York Power Authority to move forward on this initiative."

NYPA's comprehensive approach to the East Campus' energy included new lighting measures, a revamped heating ventilation and cooling system and, installation of duel fuel furnaces capable of burning either natural gas or No.2 grade fuel oil. These measures will benefit the campus and produce annual savings of $204,000.

Installation of energy-efficient T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts will reduce energy consumption for lighting by almost 75 percent while producing a higher quality illumination. Motion detectors that automatically turn off lights when a room is not in use have been installed in laboratories and offices. Exit signs have been outfitted with low-wattage, light emitting diodes (LED) which burn brighter on less electricity.

Heating improvements will provide greater flexibility in fueling options, enabling maintenance staff to use either of two cleaner-burning options, natural gas or No. #2 fuel oil, depending on market conditions. The new duel-fuel furnaces installed for this purpose also help displace the higher emissions that result from No. #6 grade fuel oil, used in the past.

Chiller system upgrades coupled with a modernization of the heating ventilation and air- conditioning systems include the use of variable speed drives on assorted pumps to help eliminate costly maintenance repairs and add to the overall comfort of facility and students.

To date, NYPA has invested over $840 million in energy-efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, and energy control systems in public buildings throughout the state. All together, those projects are cutting energy costs by $92 million a year, avoiding the release of 730,000 tons of greenhouse gases.

 The New York Power Authority is the nation's largest state-owned electric utility, with 17 generating plants in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines.  NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and earns revenue from proceeds of its operations, which stems largely from the sale of electricity.  NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives.