Energy-Saving Refrigerator Program Planned for State Public Housing:  New York Power Authority and New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal to Ally in Energy Efficiency Initiative

Contact
Michael Saltzman
914-390-8181
michael.saltzman@nypa.gov

July 30, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) will initiate a program to reduce electricity costs in public housing with energy-efficient refrigerators.

“The refrigerator is the single biggest consumer of electricity in most apartments,” said Louis P. Ciminelli, Chairman of the Power Authority.  “By installing high-efficiency refrigerators, which use one-third the power of older units, we can save energy, cut costs, and protect the environment.

“Energy costs can total 40 percent of the total maintenance and operating expenses of a housing complex,” Judith A. Calogero, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, said, “The new energy efficient refrigerator program will become a valuable part of New York State’s efforts to increase energy efficiency and improve energy management practices in public housing.”

The initiative will build on the success of the Power Authority’s pioneering efforts with the New York City Housing Authority’s refrigerator replacement program. In 1995, NYPA initiated a refrigerator replacement program with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Over 160,000 high-efficiency refrigerators have been installed to date, helping NYCHA to achieve $5.5 million in annual energy savings. The program has also helped to avoid almost 67,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The NYPA/NYCHA program, scheduled to continue through 2003 and eventually replace 181,000 units, has served as a model for more than 100 public housing authorities and electric utilities from North Carolina to Alaska. As part of the program, NYPA engaged an appliance recycler in Syracuse to remove salvageable components from the older units and recycle millions of pounds of aluminum, copper, steel and cardboard.

The new refrigerator replacement program pursues the policy objectives of the 2002 State Energy Plan, adopted in June by the New York State Energy Planning Board. Among the goals set by the State Energy Plan is reducing energy use in New York State to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2010.

The program will also assist state and local governments achieve the goals of Governor Pataki’s Executive Order No. 111.  The “Green and Clean State Buildings and Vehicles” Executive Order requires a 35 percent reduction in energy use in state buildings by 2010. The order also encourages local governments to set similar goals and directs NYPA and other state agencies to assist local governments in those efforts.