Brooklyn Energy

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation that strives to reduce energy consumption and improve the State’s economic and environmental wellbeing through the widespread development and use of innovative technologies. The agency is primarily supported by a small fee charged to all consumers on our utility bills.  This fee, called a systems benefits charge, was established in 1996 by the Public Services Commission, which regulates electric companies.  More information about NYSERDA’s programs can be found at www.getenergysmart.org, www.powernaturally.org and www.nyserda.org

NYSERDA has incentives and programs to assist all NYC residents to reduce their energy use:

All Residents can:

• Change all incandescent light bulbs to ENERGY STAR^® compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) which use 75% less energy, last up to ten times longer and produce much less heat.  Learn more about CFLs on ENERGY STAR’s webpage - www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
  
  
• Switch your electricity supplier to a renewable energy sources such as wind and run-of-the river hydroelectric power without interrupting your service.  Green power costs one penny per kilowatt-hour more but you eliminate the sales tax on the delivery portion of your bill. The average residential customer will pay about $3.50 more per month for every $50 you are normally billed while helping to develop the market for green power.  Changing to renewable energy reduces your carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to not driving about 5,325 miles.  Visit the Public Service Commission website to find out more information about green power in NY and to choose a service provider. 

• Save energy by unplugging appliances when not in use.   For convenience, use a power strip (also known as a surge protector) with your existing electronic devices enabling you to turn them off with a switch.

Homeowners (1-4 unit buildings) can:

• Take advantage of incentives to make your home more energy efficient.  NYSERDA’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® Program, provides Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited Home Performance contractors that will assess your home, make recommendations for energy improvements and provide a cost estimate to do the improvements.  You can lower the cost of heating and cooling your home by making improvements such as: adding insulation, air sealing, and adjusting heating and hot water systems.  Incentives or low interest financing can help make the energy efficient work more affordable while the improvements will reduce your home electric and heating bills.  NYSERDA will pay as much as 50% of costs for income eligible homeowners, click here.

Tenants can:

• Take advantage of NYSERDA’s EmPower New YorkSM program.  If you live in a building with 100 units or less and have a household income below 60% of state median income or participate in a utility payment assistance program, EmPower New YorkSM can provide electricity reduction such as lighting and refrigerator replacements at no cost to the customer. For more information contact Honeywell International at 1-800-263-0960.
  

Apartment Building Managers (Co-op, Condo and Rental) can:

• Take advantage of incentives under NYSERDA’s Energy $mart Multifamily Performance Program.  This program develops a list of energy-saving improvements tailored specifically to each building.  Every project in the Multifamily Performance Program is eligible to receive financial assistance through a schedule of Performance Incentives. There are also two optional incentives for which projects may be eligible: #1 New York Energy $mart Loan Fund; #2 Special Incentives for Advanced Measures.  To find out more about the NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program, go to this page.

• Train your building managers and maintenance staff to operate your buildings more efficiently.  There is a class coming up in July 2008.  Visit www.getenergysmart.org/events

Retailers can:

• Stock and sell ENERGY STAR^® light bulbs and other appliances with the ENERGY STAR^® label.
• Become a NYSERDA Energy $mart Products Partner and receive benefits for participating in this program.  For more information, visit: http://getenergysmart.org/EEProducts/Retailer.aspx.  To become a partner or to find out more information call: 1-877-NY-STAR1 (877-697-8271)  

• Replace street holiday lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lights.  NYSERDA will provide education on this option.   Contact: Wendy Fleischer, Energy $mart Coordinator,

Community Facilities and Commercial and Industrial Businesses can:

• Take advantage of NYSERDA’s incentive programs to reduce energy costs. Businesses and other facilities with electric bills less than $50,000/year are eligible forlow cost energy audits that help identify improvements to save electricity.  Incentives are also available for gas efficiency improvements of Con Edison gas customers.  For companies with large electric loads, the Peak-Load Reduction Program will offset the costs of energy saving capital improvements by up to 65%.  For more information on these and other programs go to: www.nyserda.org/programs/commercial_industrial. 

Building Contractors and Suppliers can:

• Become a certified building auditor.  Building analyst classes and certification with the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a national accreditation organization, are now 100% reimbursable by NYSERDA in the Con Ed service area.  Accreditation from BPI entitles contractors to participate in NYSERDA’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® Program which offers incentives to homeowners and contractors to undertake audits and building retrofits. This certification can help contractors generate more business and improve the quality of home improvements in your neighborhood.  Classes are also available for multifamily building analysts.    For class information, contact the Association for Energy Affordability at www.aeanyc.org. 

• Build an ENERGY STAR^® Labeled Home (1-4 family) or a Multifamily (New Construction) building with incentives and technical assistance from NYSERDA.  For one- to four-family homes visit this page.  For five or more units, visit this page.
  

Schools, Educators and Students can:

Learn how to promote understanding about energy and the environment among students and motivate them to action.  NYSERDA’s Energy Education program offers workshops for teachers. Participants receive a free curriculum correlated to the New York State Learning Standards in Math, Science, Technology, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Family and Consumer Science. The curriculum includes: an Energy Education Teacher’s Guide; a CD that includes the Conceptual Framework for Energy Education, basic information on energy and an energy glossary; color posters; and class set of the Energy Action Challenge.  For a list of upcoming workshops, visit: www.getenergysmart.org/EnergyEducation/Workshop.aspx

  ENERGY STAR^®  Products:  ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.  Unlike many other products that claim energy efficiency, light bulbs and appliances with the Energy Star label have been rigorously tested both for quality and strict energy efficiency standards.  Energy Star products often do not cost more than other products.  Look for the Energy Star label on qualifying products:

The New York Energy $mart^SM Communities Program creates networks of organizations and agencies that contribute to energy-focused neighborhood projects. The program shares economic, environmental and social benefits through energy efficiency and the diversifying of energy resources.

The Energy $mart Communities Coordinator for Brooklyn is:

Wendy Fleischer

NYSERDA, Energy $mart Communities Coordinator

Pratt Center for Community Development

718-636-3486 ext. 6450

wfleisch@pratt.edu