ALBANY, N.Y. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with a 2013 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 at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2013.

NYSERDA will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency. NYSERDA has 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 2012, the combined energy savings from NYSERDA’s New Construction, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, and Qualifying Products programs are expected to save New York almost 149 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 2.8 million MMBtu of fossil fuels, enough power to meet the annual electric needs of nearly 22,000 homes and heat 39,000 homes.

“EPA is recognizing NYSERDA for earning EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2013 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award,” said Bob Perciasepe, Acting Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “NYSERDA leads the field with commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money, and create a healthier environment.”

“It is an honor to be recognized again by the EPA, as NYSERDA’s partnership with ENERGY STAR has helped encourage hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to embrace a more energy efficient lifestyle,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “This recognition acknowledges the investment and commitment of Governor Cuomo in making New York’s energy future more sustainable and environmentally friendly.”

2012 NYSERDA HIGHLIGHTS

New York Products Program (Qualifying Products)

• Estimated market share of ENERGY STAR^® qualified products averaged 75 percent on all appliance sales (original program appliances: dishwasher, clothes washer, refrigerator, room air conditioner).
• The New York Products Program has saved New York more than 91 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and almost $11 million in energy costs through December 31, 2012.

 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

• A total of 5,755 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects were completed in 2012.
• 6,739 participants trained in energy efficiency technologies and practices as part of NYSERDA’s energy efficiency workforce development initiatives.

New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes

• A total of 2,262 New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes were built in 2012, with more than 22,181 completed since the program’s inception in 2001.
• More than 200 builders currently participate in the New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program.
• NYSERDA has made available more than $33 million in incentives through December 31, 2015 to support the construction of New York ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, including additional affordable housing incentives available to eligible homeowners.
• NYSERDA was approved as an H-QUITO (HVAC Quality Installation Training and Oversight Organization) by U.S. EPA in April 2012.

Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through their participation in ENERGY STAR.

Over the last 20 years, with help from ENERGY STAR, American families and businesses have saved more than $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2013 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. 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 nearly 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. Nearly 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, and buildings. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).