New York Power Authority Set to Install Solar Electric System at Deer Park Fire District Facility

Contact:
Paul DeMichele
914-390-8186

October 29, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEER PARK—New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Kessel and Congressmen Steve Israel today announced a partnership to undertake the construction of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Deer Park Fire District training facility complex. The $35,000 demonstration project will displace power generation from conventional fossil fuel sources, support local government sustainability efforts, and help protect the environment.

“Through clean energy initiatives such as the Deer Park solar installation, the Power Authority is continuing to make strides in reducing carbon emissions in New York State, promoting a ‘green’ economy and reducing the demand on the electric power grid,” Kessel said.  “The benefits make this project a win-win for the firehouse and Long Island. We plan to pursue additional energy saving initiatives on the Island and throughout the state in support of New York’s ‘45 by 15’ Plan, and to fulfill our pledge to invest more than a billion dollars over the next few years on clean energy projects.”

“These firefighters are on the front lines keeping us safe at home and now they are on the front lines in advancing our energy security interests,” Rep. Israel said.  “Reducing energy costs at the firehouse also helps reduce our tax burden.  I’m grateful to the fire district for their advanced energy leadership and to Rich Kessel and NYPA for working with them on this innovative, cost-saving project.”

“Most of the families in our community are watching their budgets—and as our budget comes from taxpayer dollars—we too must save wherever we can,” said Anthony Macaluso, Chairman of Board of Fire Commissioner, Deer Park Fire District. “Using renewable and alternative energy—like solar energy—is not only a great way to be environmentally conscious and provide awareness in a public space—but it’s a way to lower our electric bill—which means real dollars saved for the hard working families in our community. We are grateful to Congressman Israel and NYPA for understanding the needs of our residents and giving us the ability to reduce energy consumption and reduce expenses.”

The roof-mounted four-kilowatt PV system is comprised of nearly 20 solar panels and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately two tons a year through the system’s displacement of fossil-fuel generation. NYPA has installed six similar solar systems on Long Island at public schools and the Suffolk County Community College (SCCC).

The project, which is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2011, is the latest of wide-ranging energy-efficiency initiatives that NYPA has undertaken in Suffolk County. Nearing completion at the end of this year is a comprehensive energy conservation effort at SCCC that will save more than $350,000 a year and remove 1,355 tons of greenhouse gas from the atmosphere annually.

Additionally, in early 2009, NYPA completed a $4 million energy efficiency project at the Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment facility in West Babylon that saves Suffolk County an estimated $388,000 a year in energy costs.

The Deer Park Fire District solar installation highlights the benefits of clean energy projects and promotes increased interest and participation in a 100-megawatt (mw) statewide PV initiative that NYPA is spearheading. In April, the Power Authority received 44 proposals for the development of the new generation capacity, which would triple the current amount of installed PV generation in New York State. The bids were in response to a Request for Proposals that NYPA issued in January for distributed solar generation systems whose output would be the equivalent of the electricity required for meeting the needs of approximately 15,000 average homes.

As of the end of 2009, 64 projects at more than 210 facilities in Suffolk County have been completed, saving taxpayers nearly $9 million a year and removing more than 44,000 tons of greenhouse gases annually.

The Power Authority contributes to Long Island’s electricity needs with a highly efficient and clean natural gas-fueled power project in Holtsville, a small clean power plant in the town of Islip, and a 345-kilvolt transmission cable from New Rochelle to East Garden City, including an underwater section across the Long Island Sound.

About NYPA
NYPA is the nation's largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities 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 revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. Follow @NYPAenergy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, YouTube, and LinkedIn.