NYPA White Plains Office Building’s Energy Use Cut in Half: Project Addresses Governor's “Green and Clean” State Building Goals

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Brian Warner
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February 25, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHITE PLAINS—New, energy efficiency technologies installed by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) at the Clarence D. Rappleyea Building, NYPA's White Plains headquarters, will reduce the building's energy consumption by more than 50 percent and will save over $400,000 annually.

"When it comes to saving energy, cutting costs and protecting the environment with advanced energy technologies, New York State and the New York Power Authority are leading by example,” said NYPA Chairman Louis P. Ciminelli.

Last March, NYPA began a $3.8 million dollar project at its office at 123 Main Street to address Governor George Pataki's Executive Order No.111, which requires that state-owned buildings achieve ambitious energy-saving goals.  The Governor's “Green and Clean State Buildings” order requires energy use reductions of at least 35 percent by 2010; based on 1990 consumption levels.

Along with the energy savings of 50 percent, the White Plains Office improvements will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,100 tons each year.

NYPA’s energy-saving project incorporated a number of different energy technologies ranging from the replacement of its chilled water plant, which produces cool air for the air-conditioning system; to the installation of energy-saving lighting and an energy management system.

A significant portion of the energy savings are based on the replacement of the building’s 21-year-old chilled water cooling plant, which had reached the end of its expected lifespan. The new chiller and its support equipment were installed last winter and brought on line in time for the summer cooling season. The new chiller is responsible for lowering energy consumption by 2.6 million kilowatt hours, the over all energy reduction exceeds 5 million kilowatt hours.

Lighting technologies, new variable speed drive motors, a window film, and an energy management system highlight the remaining systems installed throughout the building. Lighting fixtures were replaced with high efficiency units which produce improved illumination with less electricity. A "daylight harvesting" system will deactivate garage lighting when sunlight provides sufficient illumination. New premium efficient motors for fans, pumps and other ventilation systems replaced older less-efficient units.

A new energy management system will provide computerized control of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment to minimize energy use while maintaining comfort levels throughout the building.

Under the leadership of Governor Pataki, NYPA has more than doubled its annual investments in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies, providing as much as $100 million a year for energy-saving projects at public facilities in New York State.

The New York Power Authority has been designated an Energy Partner by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for its work in providing energy-savings at schools, colleges and government buildings across the state. To date, NYPA has completed 1200 projects at more than 2000 facilities.