The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. NYSERDA’s accomplishments will be recognized in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2014.

NYSERDA will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency, having helped hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers save energy over the last decade through its New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes (New Construction), Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and New York Products (Qualifying Products) programs.

In 2013, the combined energy savings from NYSERDA’s New Construction, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, and Qualifying Products programs saved New York more than 112,493,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 3.1 million metric British thermal units (MMBtu) of fossil fuels, enough power to meet the annual electric needs of nearly 17,000 homes.

“NYSERDA has earned EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR award – the 2014 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award – because of its unwavering commitment to helping consumers become increasingly more energy efficient,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe.

The 2014 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy efficiency. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, and employing innovative energy efficiency approaches. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. Award winners are selected from the 16,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

“It is an honor for NYSERDA to be recognized with the EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR award once again,” said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Under Governor Cuomo, New York State remains a leader in energy efficiency, with programs that help increasing numbers of residents choose to use less energy, reduce their carbon footprint and help the clean-energy economy grow.”

2013 NYSERDA HIGHLIGHTS

New York Products Program (Qualifying Products)

• The New York Products Program saved New York State over 49 million kWh and $5.9 million in energy costs through the promotion of ENERGY STAR products during 2013. NYSERDA promoted ENERGY STAR certified lighting, appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and consumer electronics through partnerships with retailers and manufacturers. It also encouraged local municipalities to replace older, inefficient equipment with ENERGY STAR certified models.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

• A total of 5,862 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects were completed in 2013, with more than 54,641 completed since program inception.
• Financing for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects included more than 3,200 Smart Energy Loans valued at $29.8 million, with another 326 loans approved pending project completion, in addition to more than 1,200 residential On-Bill Recovery (OBR) loans valued at $13.7 million, with another 241 loans approved pending project completion.
• NYSERDA raised $24.3 million in its first-ever issuance of revenue bonds to finance loans for residential energy-efficiency improvements.
• NYSERDA built capacity for home performance services by working with 72 partners across the state to train more than 15,000 participants through 2013 in energy efficiency technologies and practices as part of its energy efficiency workforce development initiatives.

New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes

• A total of 2,209 New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes were built in 2013, with more than 24,418 completed since the program’s inception in 2001.
• More than 100 builders currently participate in the New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program.
• More than 180 HVAC contractors participating in the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Certified Homes program have been trained.

Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through their participation in ENERGY STAR. Through 2013, with help from ENERGY STAR, American families and businesses have saved $297 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.  NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit http://nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.

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