Welcome to the first issue of Solar One's Energy $mart Communities (E$C) eNewsletter! Solar One works as the outreach arm for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in the Downstate South region - Manhattan and Staten Island.
With our monthly newsletters, we aim to keep you informed of NYSERDA programs and incentives, energy efficiency projects, contractor and building owner trainings, and partner news and events.
|
|
A Look at NYSERDA's Incentives
|
 NYSERDA programs are available for home owners, mulitfamily buildings, commercial and industrial facilities, small business owners, schools, and more. To see what programs are available for you, go to www.nyserda.org. Stay tuned for Solar One's NYSERDA Incentives Cheat Sheet to find out what incentives work for you.
The incentive we're highlighting this month is the Multifamily Performance Program. The Multifamily Performance Program offers incentives for implementing energy efficiency measures. Buildings are required to benchmark their energy performance compared to a set
of similar buildings with a goal of 20% reduction in energy costs. By participating in the Multifamily
Performance Program an owner can:
-
Improve the value of the building -
Provide tenants with a comfortable and affordable living environment Save thousands on annual energy costs
Your building is eligible if it is 5 units or more and pays into the Systems Benefits Charge (Con Ed for the NYC area). For an existing building, projects receive between $2,500 and upwards of $10,000 after developing an Energy Reduction Plan. The exact incentive is predicated on size and affordability. Throughout the installation of energy measures and up to one year after construction, three more incentive payments are made totaling roughly $1,600 per apartment for affordable housing and $800 for market rate buildings.
|
Spotlight on one of our Partners
|
 Our Partner of the Month is the Manhattan Borough
President Scott
M. Stringer's Go Green Task Force. The Go Green Task Force, focused on three Manhattan neighborhoods - East Harlem, Lower East Side, and Washington Heights/Inwood, is a collaborative community-based initiative aimed at breaking the pattern of harmful environmental conditions while serving as a model for other environmentally beleaguered neighborhoods. For more information, visit http://www.mbpo.org/free_details.asp?id=55. The Energy $mart
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. |
This Month's Energy Efficiency Project: LED Holiday Lighting
|
As you know, the holiday
lighting season is fast approaching. Every year the holiday lighting must go
up. But that doesn't mean your electric bill (or your carbon footprint) has
to! The solution: LED holiday lights.
We are making an effort to raise awareness in Business Improvement Districts and in areas with large outdoor displays about holiday lighting products.
Saves money - LED light bulbs and fixtures save money because they operate more efficiently, thus reducing your electricity bill.
Saves time- LED Lighting lasts for several years longer than incandescent, means less time changing light bulbs-a convenience especially in hard to reach places.
Reduced maintenance - Maintenance is greatly reduced because there are significantly less bulb changes compared to incandescent.
Next time you're looking into holiday decorations, ask about LED Lighting. And ask us if you need help.
|
Energy News: Governor Patterson Announces Plan to Help
Low-Income New Yorkers Cope With High Heating Costs This Winter
|
Governor David A. Paterson, on September 12, 2008, announced a comprehensive package of state
initiatives to help New York households reduce their energy use and spend less
to heat their homes this winter. The package includes significant increases in
benefits and changes to eligibility levels for the State's heating assistance
program, an additional $49 million for household energy efficiency programs,
improved agency administration of efficiency and heating assistance programs,
and expanded workshops to help homeowners and renters to reduce their energy use
at little or no cost. To read the complete press release, visit: http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0912081.html
|
Upcoming Events
|
December 3: Managing Lean and Green - A monthly workshop series for affordable housing managers http://www.prattcenter.net/events.php
December 4: Envirolution Holiday Party unveils The Win-Win Campaign: a
youth-led small business energy and carbon efficiency campaign. Contact antuan@envirolution.org
December 5: 2008 USGBC NY Corporate
Showcase and Recruiting Fair http://getinvolved.usgbcny.org/site/Calendar/1142388175?view=Detail&id=100641
December 9: Green Drinks Holiday Party http://www.greendrinksnyc.com/events/2008/island-to-island.html
December 10: NYC Apartment Building Recycling Initiative Training http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/recycling/recycling_abri.shtml
December 11: Powering the Future - Nuclear http://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/255/mtgregister.asp?formid=nylcvefmeet&c=6027379
December 11: Urban GoGreen Holiday Wine Tasting Toasting President-Elect Barack Obama & His Green Jobs Plan. For more information contact Tiwana at 917-969-2885 or osiris.james@gmail.com
December 15: Solar One Green Renter Series - Mapping Sustainability in New York City http://solar1.org/events/greenrenter/
** To have your event listed, please email diana@solar1.org
|
|
Contact your local E$C
Coordinator, Diana Pangestu, by phone at 212-785-0734 or email at
diana@solar1.org if you are interested in:- Co-programming an event
- Receiving informational sessions on NYSERDA programs
- Creating an energy efficiency project for your building
- Becoming a contractor partner with NYSERDA's Home Performance Program
- Any other questions or comments
www.getenergysmart.org
www.nyserda.org
www.powernaturally.org
|
|
|
| Upcoming Trainings |
 |
Get certified to do energy efficiency work! NYSERDA offers reimbursements for most trainings.
Building Analyst Trainings Feb. 10 at Borough of Manhattan Community College This 6 day training program allows contractors to become certified through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, increasing both business performance and marketability. Multifamily Analyst Training
Jan. 8 at the Association for Energy Affordability Help building owners solve heating, cooling and air leakage problems that are driving high energy costs and be certified through the Multifamily Performance Program.
Energy Efficiency Building Operator Training
To be announced.
Photovoltaic Installation Training
March 23 at the Bronx Community College
This class is the first step toward becoming a certified solar installer.
|
|
|
