New York State Energy Efficiency Framework

Transcription

1 New York State Energy Efficiency Framework Alice Miller Office of Energy Efficiency and the Environment 2008 NYAPP Conference June 3, 2008

2 Energy Costs Are a Major Expense An average New York residential customer spends $2,300/year on heating, cooling, major and small appliances, and lighting Today, people own more stuff, therefore, electric bills rise Power plants generate more electricity (and more pollution) The continued reliance on and depletion of fossil-fuel resources threatens our energy security 2

3 What Is New York State Doing About It? Without intervention - by 2015, electric energy usage in New York State is estimated to top 183,000 GWh annually, nearly 13% higher than current levels. Natural gas usage is also growing rapidly. Commitment to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent below the forecasted level in 2015 ( 15x15 ) one of the most aggressive targets in the country. Increase renewable energy use (wind, solar, hydropower, and fuel cells) to meet a goal of 25 percent of our energy needs from renewable resources by Ongoing Commission proceeding to create an energy efficiency portfolio standard. 3

4 State Goals for Renewable Energy Goal By 2013, increase to 25% the proportion of renewable energy used by retail customers 19.3% at program's inception Expect at least 1% derived from voluntary/green market programs Projected 2013 New York State Energy Mix Source: September 2004 PSC Order 19.3% 5.7% Baseline Renewables RPS Non-Renewables 75% Note: Total energy estimate based on New York State Energy Plan 4

5 New York s Municipalities Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) Audit (April 2008) Many municipalities are already investigating opportunities to reduce energy costs by improving energy efficiency. Simultaneously, many municipalities also recognize the importance of doing what they can to minimize their impact on global climate change by purchasing or providing clean and reliable energy through alternative sources of renewable energy. Specific areas of implementation: energy conservation and efficiency alternative power generation and actions that support a comprehensive commitment to sustainability. Six municipalities installed solar panel systems on municipal buildings to supplement traditional demand, realizing immediate savings on their electric bills and avoiding environmental emissions equivalent to the annual CO 2 emissions produced by about 588 vehicles (6.6 million pounds). ( 5

6 What Can Your COMMUNITY Do About It? Lead by Example Establish a local energy committee focus on making every municipal building and facility as energy efficient as possible explore opportunities for alternative energy lower the cost of government improve public health and the environment Conduct a community-wide energy efficiency audit for existing public buildings including schools, public safety facilities, office buildings, waste water treatment plants and other public structures to look for the most cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. Reduce lighting costs by using the most energy efficient lighting in public buildings and on public properties, including traffic lights, and lighting on streets and right-of-ways. Turn off non-essential lighting during non-use hours. For generation projects, investigate sources of clean renewable energy and take advantage of available renewable energy tax credits. 6

7 What Can Your COMMUNITY Do About It? (continued) For new buildings, consider advanced commissioning, which includes mechanical systems, lighting, and a contract for the commissioning agent to review systems again while still under contractor warranty. Review your community s recycling rules and regulations and simplify the process to make it easier for residents to recycle their waste products. Reduce energy loads. Purchase energy efficient and/or Energy Star rated office equipment and appliances. Plant trees to promote energy efficiency and a sustainable environment. Make departments accountable for energy use. Consider, and, if possible, develop a department by department energy budget and encourage all departments to live within their energy budget. Tell your neighbors. Provide your community with education information on your town's web page or newsletter. 7

8 Energy Efficiency Programs State Government Programs Power to Schools Program provides energy audits for K-12 schools; to complement the audit, uses an energy performance contract where the contractor implementing the energy improvements is paid based on a portion of the energy savings or revenues ( Green Building Tax Credit applies to owners and tenants of eligible buildings and spaces which meet certain "green" standards by increasing energy efficiency, improving indoor air quality, and reducing environmental impacts, among other benefits. Applicants must work through an architect or engineer who will help obtain a credit certificate from New York state for their project ( 8

9 Energy Efficiency Programs State Government Programs (continued) Energy Conservation Improvements Property Exemption - Qualifying energyconservation improvements to homes are exempt from real property taxation to the extent to the addition would increase the value of the home. Eligible properties include single-family to four-family dwellings ( Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption - a 15-year real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy systems, including farm-waste energy systems (livestock manure, farming waste and food processing wastes) The maximum rated system capacity for eligible farm-waste energy systems is 400 kilowatts (kw) ( 9

10 Energy Efficiency Programs Federal Government Programs Federal Residential Solar Tax Credit equal to 25% percent of the cost of solar-energy equipment, defined as "an arrangement or combination of components utilizing solar radiation, which, when installed in a residence, produces energy designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water or electricity." The credit may not be used for pool heating or other recreational applications. The credit is capped at $3,750 for solar-energy systems placed in service before 9/1/06, and capped at $5,000 for solar-energy systems placed in service on or after 9/1/06 ( Federal Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicle Tax Credits a variety of tax credits for hybrids, fuel cell, ethanol, and biodiesel vehicles ( Federal Residential Fuel Cells Tax Credit - a 20% tax credit, with a maximum credit of $1,500. To qualify, fuel cells must provide a maximum rated baseload capacity of 25 kw and must utilize proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology ( 10

11 Energy Efficiency Programs Other Residential Customer Programs Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - $343.8 million federally-funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs (seniors, disabled, low income customers). Eligibility for the program is based on the applicant s income and housing situation. ( Weatherization Programs Federal program, funded by the US Department of Energy. Providers weatherize the home and conduct a follow up inspection; all services are provided without obligation to the occupant of the home; Eligibility is based on household income relative to federal lowincome guidelines ( 11

12 Town of Monroe (Hudson Valley) Energy Success Stories Proposed that all new residential and commercial construction meet LEED green building guidelines. Requires that new housing be built to meet ENERGY STAR standards, while new office, commercial and apartment construction over 4,000 square feet meet LEED standards. Developers would have to turn in a LEED checklist and pay 3 cents per square foot, with a ceiling of $15,000. If the project gets LEED certification, the money would be returned. If not, the money would be put toward Monroe's general fund. Town of Hamlin (Western Catskills) Adopted a comprehensive local law governing the siting of wind facilities. The law creates a wind energy overlay zone and sets forth a procedure for requesting the placement of turbines. The new rules require, among other things, creation of a special zoning district as the only place suitable for wind facilities.

13 Success Stories (continued) Town of Irvington (Westchester County) Signed a five-year contract with an energy service company to purchase all government building electricity from renewable wind power sources. Town of Smithtown (Suffolk County) Signed a seven-year fixed-price contract with an energy service company to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel to its refuse collection trucks; signed a multi-year fixed fuel price for the Town's growing natural gas vehicle fleet. Required all of its contracted residential refuse collection operators to switch from diesel power to vehicles that operate exclusively on CNG fuel. Borough of Queens (Manhattan) The Borough of Queens turned in 2,992 old air conditioners and replaced them with energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified models, preventing 402,102 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and saving 368,225 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity. 13

14 Success Stories (continued) Chautauqua Lake (Western NY) The Sewer District implemented several of the most cost-effective and highenergy-saving recommendations, including submetering at critical points in the treatment process, operating improvements, and a facility-wide lighting upgrade. City of Albany (Capital Region) The sewer district participates regularly in a voluntary load reduction program through the NYISO, receiving reimbursement for the time it can take some of its electric use off the grid and reduce demand on the larger system. The NYISO also offers monetary incentives and subsidies to municipalities to implement permanent reductions in peak-load energy use. Town of Clifton Park (Saratoga Region) Distributed 250 White Pine seedlings to residents as part of a tree planting program. 14

15 (continued) Success Stories Suffolk County Municipal bus fleet comprised of 59 clean diesel technology buses purchased in 2005 which reduce emissions by 90 percent; Purchase of additional 55 clean diesel technology buses for Use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel throughout the entire fleet, which produces 25% fewer particle emissions. Emission retrofits and use of particulate filters on 107 buses. Purchase of four hybrid buses. Town of East Hampton (Long Island) Developed an Energy Savings Program which combines elements of the Energy Star program and the LIPA Builders Option Package program. The program requires that every newly constructed or reconstructed residence have energy saving heating and cooling equipment, water heaters, Energy Star rated appliances, and increased insulation. Town of Levittown (Long Island) Conducted a free incandescent light bulb exchange program; gave away 16,500 CFL bulbs. 15

16 Success Stories (continued) Town of Walton (Delaware County) Initiated the Delaware County Waste-to-Energy Project, a clean, renewable energy project located at the Delaware County Solid Waste Management Center in Walton, NY, using land waste to create energy. Town of Greenburgh (Westchester County) Installation of high efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors at the Town Hall. When completed, will have an estimated savings of $25,529 annually. Town of Brockport (SUNY Brockport) Implemented sustainable technology and geothermal ground-source pumps to support the heating and cooling needs at the college's recently completed 208-bed student housing complex. 16

17 Success Stories (continued) Energy Smart Park Initiative (Adirondacks) An initiative to help make the Adirondack Park a model of sustainable energy production and use. Leaders of the initiative plan to: 1. benchmark current energy use and develop a long-term energy and carbon emissions reduction plan for the region; 2. strengthen and diversify the regional economy and increase community wellbeing by reducing energy use in homes and buildings in the Park and surrounding communities by at least 20% by 2015 and significantly increasing the utilization of locally produced, sustainable, renewable energy sources; and 3. establish long-term continuation and expansion of activities to achieve goals and to address local, regional and national policies that affect energy use and production. 17

18 Success Stories (continued) Other items under consideration by the Energy Smart Park Initiative include: Promoting better energy codes and compliance; Studying feasibility of a wood-fired electric co-gen facility (Tupper Lake); Analyzing potential of municipal biomass heating systems for schools; Building a cluster of 400-foot mountaintop wind generators to supply clean, renewable power to the regional grid. 18

19 What Can YOU Do About It? Turn off appliances when not in use, particularly for extended periods like vacation, etc. Seal and weatherize your home Lower home thermostat to a comfortable setting in the winter, raise it in the summer Supplement air conditioning with fans, which cost less to use than air conditioning Limit hot water use and lower tank temperature Install low-flow water devices Purchase Energy Star rated appliances and lighting Wrap your water tank and pipes, if appropriate Plant trees for natural shading/insulation around the home 19

20 For More Information Contact: Public Service Commission 3 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY AskPSC1 ( ) 7721) NYSERDA NYSERDA ( ) US Department of Energy dial-DOE ( ) NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance NYS Department of Housing & Community Renewal ASK-DHCR ( ) 20