New York Power Authority Completes Installation of Energy Efficient LED Lighting at SUNY Purchase

For Immediate Release: 07/27/18

Contact: Paul DeMichele | paul.demichele@nypa.gov | 914-390-8186

NYPA and SUNY Partner to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 727 Tons a Year and Save $161,000 Annually

 

View a Video of the Completed Energy-Saving Project

WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority (NYPA), in partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY), has completed the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the Purchase College campus, including outdoor street lighting and in several buildings. The upgrades will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 727 tons a year—the equivalent of taking more than 140 cars off the road—in addition to saving taxpayers more than $161,000 annually. This initiative supports Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030, based on 1990 levels.

 

“This LED lighting project at Purchase College helps make New York’s excellent SUNY schools even cleaner and greener,“ said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “SUNY has been a longstanding NYPA partner and we very much look forward to continuing our energy efficiency work to benefit SUNY students and all New Yorkers.”

 

“Enhancements in LED lighting are making it more affordable to implement large-scale changes to our facilities, and the work at Purchase College is evidence of this,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “The campus will realize a significant annual energy savings in a shorter period of time, thereby creating a greater return on its overall investment. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo for his commitment to increasing energy efficiency in our state, and to our partners within NYPA for their support and expertise.”

 

The $1.3 million project included the installation of high-efficiency LED lighting at the Performing Arts Center and the library, in addition to LED lighting being installed in the campus streetlights, which will improve safety for pedestrians and drivers. The project has helped the college to achieve approximately 30 percent of its lighting from energy-efficient LEDs, resulting in overall lower emissions and cost savings. NYPA financed and implemented the project, which was carried out under Governor Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY program, a comprehensive statewide initiative to increase energy efficiency in public buildings.

 

Purchase College President Thomas J. Schwarz said, “We are very appreciative of the New York Power Authority’s partnership with Purchase College on this project. This program is consistent with Purchase College’s sustainability efforts and supports Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson’s goals for sustainability throughout the system.”

 

Upgrading to energy efficient LED technology, which cost roughly $370,000 more than a similar replacement to the existing lighting equipment, allows Purchase College to achieve a payback on its incremental investment in energy efficiency in less than two and a half years.

 

In addition to the completion of the lighting improvements, NYPA has recently selected Purchase College as a demonstration site for an innovative thermal energy storage project, which will improve energy efficiency, increase reliability and save money. As a result of its longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, Purchase College ranks among the SUNY system’s top-ten schools in terms of energy usage reduction and has made Princeton Review’s Greenest Colleges list several times.

 

Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, SUNY and NYPA have partnered to complete energy-saving projects at more than 530 SUNY facilities, reducing energy consumption by more than 5.3 megawatts, removing nearly 42,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, and saving $8.5 million annually. SUNY and NYPA are currently partnering to implement energy-saving measures at more than 100 additional SUNY buildings—those projects, once completed, will reduce SUNY’s energy consumption by an additional 5.4 megawatts.

 

BuildSmart NY, launched by Governor Cuomo in 2012, calls for an increase in energy efficiency in state government buildings by 20 percent by 2020. Through 2017, state buildings have thus far reduced their energy use by more than 11 percent under the program, resulting in an estimated $45 million in avoided energy costs and 222,000 tons of avoided greenhouse gas emissions in 2017 alone. In addition, energy efficiency and renewable projects currently being developed and installed will lead to a further reduction in energy use in state buildings by an estimated 5.3 percent, resulting in a collective 16.4 percent reduction from the baseline year.

 

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am thrilled that SUNY Purchase and the New York Power Authority have completed the installation of additional energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the campus. This LED installation reduces greenhouse gas emission by 727 tons a year and saves taxpayers $161,000 annually. Projects like this save taxpayers’ money and move us forward in addressing climate change and expanding New York’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. Congratulations to Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYPA, Chancellor Kristina Johnson, and SUNY Purchase President Thomas Schwartz for delivering on your promise to make SUNY campuses more sustainable.”

 

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) said, “With new LED lighting, SUNY Purchase continues a tradition of leadership in our community, demonstrating how adopting new technology can reduce both electric bills and greenhouse gas emissions. The New York Power Authority is to be commended for its work with the State University of New York and its plans to help more campuses convert to efficient LED lighting.”

 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Taking care of our environment is something everyone should feel responsible for. We are thrilled that the New York Power Authority has chosen to partner with SUNY Purchase, and by making this small change, thousands of dollars will be saved and the College’s energy efficiency will greatly improve.”

 

Nancy E. Barr, Westchester County legislator and Chair of the county environment, health & energy committee, said, “This initiative is a win-win across the board—benefitting the environment and providing long term savings to taxpayers. I’m glad that SUNY Purchase continues to embrace sustainability, and that New York is committed to energy saving projects at SUNY campuses across the state.”

 

 

Reforming the Energy Vision

Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and requiring 50 percent of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven growth of more than 1,000 percent in the statewide solar market, improved energy affordability for 1.65 million low-income customers, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, visit rev.ny.gov, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

 

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. 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. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

 

About Purchase College, SUNY

Purchase College, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of 64 universities and colleges, was founded in 1967 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller. His aspiration for Purchase was to create a dynamic campus that combined conservatory training in the visual and performing arts with programs in the liberal arts and sciences, in order to inspire an appreciation for both intellectual and artistic talents in all students. Today, Purchase College, SUNY is a community of students, faculty, and friends where open-minded engagement with the creative process leads to a lifetime of intellectual growth and professional opportunity. For more information about the College, visit www.purchase.edu.