FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Sunday, June 10, 2001

DASNY Participates in Governor's State Energy Efficiency Council

"Clean and Green" initiative calls for agency-wide reductions in energy use

Governor George E. Pataki announced today the creation of the Advisory Council on State Energy Efficiency, part of his overall effort to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of renewable energy sources in State-owned or -operated buildings.

"With this Executive Order, New York State clearly establishes itself as the national leader in the effort to protect our environment by promoting clean air technologies, cutting emissions and reducing energy consumption," Governor Pataki said.

The Governor's Executive Order No. 111 directs that the Executive Director of the Dormitory Authority be part of the Advisory Council, which will be chaired by the President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Other members designated by the Governor are the:

• State Budget Director

• State Commissioners of General Services, Environmental Conservation, Correctional Services, Mental Health and Transportation

• Chairman of the Public Service Commission

• Chancellor of the State University of New York

• Secretary of State

• Chairman of the New York Power Authority

• Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and

• President of the Long Island Power Authority.

The Advisory Council on State Energy Efficiency will advise NYSERDA on how it can best help State agencies and State-created public authorities achieve the goals of the Executive Order.

The goal of the Governor's program is to achieve a 35 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2010 in all buildings they own, lease or operate, compared to 1990 levels. NYSERDA will play a lead role in promulgating guidelines and providing other assistance to affected agencies.

The Governor's Executive Order also directs the following immediate actions:

• Energy-efficient practices must be implemented in all affected buildings, including shutting off office equipment and room lighting when not in use, adjusting building temperatures, re-tuning heating, air conditioning and heating equipment to ensure optimal performance, and cycling and restarting equipment on a staggered basis to shed electricity loads and minimize peak electricity demand usage.

• New buildings must be designed, constructed, operated and maintained following guidelines for the construction of "green buildings" as set in state tax law and by the U.S. Green Buildings Council. A 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency is expected in new building construction, while substantial renovation projects shall achieve at least a 10 percent improvement.

• Selection of ENERGY STAR energy-efficient products.

• Increase the use of renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar thermal, photovoltaics, sustainable managed biomass, tidal, geothermal, methane waste and fuel cells. Ten percent of a building's overall annual electric energy needs must be obtained from these technologies by 2005, increasing to 20 percent in 2010.

• Procure alternative-fuel vehicles, such as hybrid-electric vehicles. By 2005, it is expected that at least half of new light-duty vehicles acquired by affected agencies will be alternative-fueled vehicles, rising to 100 percent by 2010. Certain specialty, police and emergency vehicles will be exempted. The Governor expects agencies using medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to reduce petroleum consumption and emissions by using alternative fuels and improving fleet fuel efficiency.

For more information, contact Press Officer Claudia Hutton at (518) 257 3382, or CHutton@dasny.org. In related matters, during the week the Governor also created a Greenhouse Gas Task Force (go to http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year01/june10_01.htm) and proposed legislation to help schools and municipalities launch clean energy efforts (go to http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year01/june15_1_01.htm).