NYS Green Tech Grants!!

Five companies receive $50,000 state grants to commercialize 'green' tech:

Syracuse, NY -- Five Central New York companies received state grants totaling $250,000 today to commercialize "green and clean" technologies.

The awards were made in the latest round of the Syracuse Center of Excellence's Commercialization Assistance Program.

Each of the following companies received $50,000 grants:

• Air Innovations, of Cicero, will commercialize a metal hydride for air conditioning.

• Cortland Research LLC, of Homer, will commercialize an energy conservation system that provides data and autonomous control for reducing energy costs.

• Healthway Home Products, of Pulaski, will commercialize a disinfecting filtration system technology for schools, healthcare and commercial buildings.

• O’Brien & Gere, of Syracuse, will use the grant to accelerate development of a water quality monitor to detect taste and odor.

• WavElectric, of Ithaca and Syracuse, will develop and test a wave-energy converter prototype.

The announcement was made at the Center of Excellence by Assemblyman William Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity and National Grid.

Center of Excellence officials said the grants are expected to create or retain about 100 jobs in Central New York.

Established in 2001, the program has awarded $1.75 million to 24 Upstate companies to help bring to market new products and services in the indoor environmental quality, water resources, and clean and renewable energy fields.

Officials said the program has created or retained more than 150 jobs and generated more than $400 million in new revenue for companies in the central Upstate region.

National Grid has assisted the program with a $100,000 grant as part of its CleanTechn Incubation Program.

The Center of Excellence is a federation of companies and educational institutions that promotes job creation through collaborations in research, development and education.

Contact Rick Moriarty at rmoriarty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-3148. Follow him on Twitter @RickMoriartyCNY and on Facebook at rick.moriarty.92.

Fifth Round of Low-Cost Power Allocations Under Recharge NY Program:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees has approved a fifth round of ReCharge NY power allocations. The more than 14 megawatts (MW) of low-cost power will be distributed among 19 businesses and one not-for-profit organization in support of job retention and creation, and approximately $156 million in capital investments.

The ReCharge NY program was created by the Governor and put in place by the Legislature in 2011. The program is designed to spur economic development in all corners of the state by providing low-cost power to businesses and other entities that agree to create or retain jobs.

"Low-cost power is an important economic development tool for businesses to reduce their overall costs and make new investments,” Governor Cuomo said. “ReCharge NY has proven to be a major success and this fifth round of low-cost power allocations will support job growth and economic development in communities across the state."

John R. Koelmel, NYPA chairman, said, “The latest allocations represent an important investment in key employers and are yet another step in allotting all 910 megawatts of power under the Governor’s ReCharge NY program. This marks the fifth round of allocations—the first such round in 2013—and we expect to continue the momentum through the year in optimizing the benefits of the program’s lower cost power for New York State’s economy.”

Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and chief executive officer, said, “We have been working very closely with Empire State Development and the Governor’s regional economic development councils to strategically allocate the power under the ReCharge NY program to make it as impactful as possible for the various areas of the state. NYPA will continue to follow the Governor’s lead in our carrying out this vital program.”

The first four rounds of allocations under the Governor’s program occurred last year and accounted for approximately 730 MW to 612 businesses and 75 not-for-profit organizations. (One megawatt is enough power to meet the needs of 800 to 1,000 typical homes.)

Senator George D. Maziarz, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications committee said, "The ReCharge NY Program is one that will help sustain thousands of jobs across New York State. I have long said that low-cost hydropower is the best, most unique tool we have to promote economic development. I congratulate these businesses on their selection and I look forward to the continued allocations that this program will provide to more businesses across the State."

Assembly Energy Committee Chair Amy Paulin said, “By reducing their energy costs we allow New York’s job creators to focus on growing their businesses and expanding their workforce. This funding represents a crucial investment in the health of New York’s economy. I thank the Governor for his leadership on ReCharge New York, a program that spurs economic development and helps ensure a strong economic future for the Empire State.”

In addition to jobs and capital investment commitments, other evaluation criteria for ReCharge NY applications included the significance of the cost of electricity to the overall cost of doing business, applicant’s risk of closure or curtailing operations, the significance of the applicant’s facility to the local economy, and its commitment to energy efficiency.

The ReCharge NY program offers up to seven-year power contracts. Half of the power under the program—455 MW—is low-cost electricity from the Power Authority’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt hydroelectric power plants. The remaining 455 MW is economical power secured by NYPA from market sources. 

Allocations for Job Retention:

Company	City	kW	Capital Investment ($)
Benchemark Printing, Inc.	Schenectady	236	$1,000,000
Capital District Region Sub-totals:		236
Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC	Palmyra	1,950	$10,000,000
Finger Lakes Region Sub-totals:		1,950	$10,000,000
Air Stream Corp.	Oceanside	150	$250,000
Formed Plastics, Inc.	Carle Place	246	$200,000
Island Pro Digital, Inc.	Hauppauge	10	$100,000
New York Label & Box Corp.	Islandia	50	$500,000
Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC	Bethpage	836	$20,000,000
Long Island Region Sub-totals:		1,292	$21,050,000
Teatown Lake Reservation	Ossining	10	$350,000
Mid-Hudson Region Sub-totals:		10	$350,000
Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC	New York	280	$5,000,000
Tommy Hilfiger USA, Inc.	New York	556	$3,200,000
New York City Region Sub-totals:		836	$8,200,000
Cives Steel Company, Northern Division	Gouverneur	220	$100,000
Current Applications, Inc.	Watertown	40	$693,000
Prevost Car (US) Inc.	Plattsburgh	130	$0
Soucy USA	Champlain	170	$450,000
North Country Region Sub-totals:		560	$1,243,000
Clifford H. Jones Inc.	Tonawanda	40	$50,000
Culinary Art's Specialties, Inc.	Cheektowaga	220	$1,150,000
JJP Contract Packaging, D/B/A Plesh Contract Packaging	Buffalo	76	$250,000
Western New York Region Sub-totals:		336	$1,450,000

Allocations for Job Creation:

Company	City	kW	Project Capital Investment ($)
Benchemark Printing, Inc.	Schenectady	106	$1,000,000
Capital District Region Sub-totals:		106	$1,000,000
Cayuga Marketing LLC	Auburn	4,760	$97,664,840
607 Phillips Street Holdings, Inc.	Fulton	3,150	$3,250,000
Central New York Region Sub-totals:		7,910	$100,914,840
Select Product Holdings LLC	Huntington	700	$5,000,000
Long Island Region Sub-totals:		700	$5,000,000
Prevost Car (US) Inc.	Plattsburgh	90	$4,500,000
North Country Region Sub-totals:		90	$4,500,000
Culinary Art's Specialties, Inc.	Cheektowaga	80	$2,000,000
Western New York Region Sub-totals:		80	$2,000,000

Energy Efficiency Upgrades at the College at Brockport as Part of Build Smart NY:

WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has started construction on a more-than $5 million energy efficiency upgrade at the College at Brockport, State University of New York, that will save the school more than $300,000 annually and remove almost 1,300 tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere every year.

The improvements are in line with “Build Smart NY,” the new initiative by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to increase energy efficiency in state buildings by 20 percent over seven years by strategically accelerating priority improvements in energy performance. The statewide initiative will save millions of dollars for taxpayers, create thousands of jobs and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The campus-wide, energy-saving improvements that NYPA is undertaking at the College at Brockport include lighting enhancements, heating and ventilation upgrades, and the replacement of outdated boilers and electric motors.

“The work being undertaken at the College at Brockport demonstrates the Power Authority’s commitment to Build Smart NY and to implement partnerships with state and local governments,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and chief executive officer.

Over the last two decades, the Power Authority has partnered with the College at Brockport on nearly a dozen energy efficiency projects, saving taxpayers nearly $2 million in energy costs every year and removing more than 10,000 tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere annually.

“We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and the Power Authority for their support for the major energy efficiency improvements on our campus,” said John R. Halstead, the College at Brockport president “These upgrades allow us to save money and replace our aging infrastructure, which is a win-win for the college, its students, and New York State.”

NYPA has been designated by Governor Cuomo to carry out his Build Smart NY plan, and is committed to providing $450 million in low-cost financing for state facilities and an additional $350 million for other energy efficiency programs benefiting county and local governments.

Build Smart NY will utilize state building energy data to prioritize projects that will deliver the greatest energy savings per dollar spent. The largest and most inefficient buildings will be addressed first and undergo comprehensive whole-building improvements.

Build Smart NY will accelerate projects that produce the greatest savings and coordinate all spending. The program will also ensure that cost-effective improvements for energy savings are considered in all the state’s capital project planning.

In addition to its energy savings goals, Build Smart NY supports Governor Cuomo’s larger NY Works program and economic development agenda, which coordinates state funding to accelerate projects that will create jobs and improve the state’s infrastructure. NY Works is designed to expedite select projects with maximum economic impact, allowing them to begin as soon as possible and reduce project costs by hundreds of millions of dollars.

A Build Smart NY web platform was launched that posts progress reports, case studies, energy savings, project costs, and other information to the public, providing greater accountability and transparency on government spending and performance. For more information on this initiative, visit www.buildsmart.ny.gov.

A new energy-saving boiler installed on the College at Brockport campus as part of the more-than $5 million energy efficiency upgrade being undertaken by the New York Power Authority.
Photo Credit:  NYPA

Governor Cuomo Announces $46 Million Awarded Through NY-Sun:

Albany, NY (March 28, 2013)

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $46 million has been awarded under his NY-Sun initiative for large-scale solar energy projects that will add 52 megawatts to the state’s solar capacity. Today’s announcement follows a year of unprecedented growth for solar installations in the state as a result of the NY-Sun initiative. 

Awards have been made to 28 recipients to finance 76 large-scale solar energy projects in 33 counties across the state. Installations will be located at businesses, factories, municipal buildings and other larger commercial and industrial companies, and are expected to be on line by the end of this year. As a result of NY-Sun, more photovoltaic (PV) systems are now being deployed in the state than in the entire prior decade.

The $46 million from New York State, awarded through a competitive program, leverages $100 million in private investment, resulting in $146 million in infrastructure projects.

“The NY-Sun initiative is driving the growth of solar energy systems that will help businesses and municipalities benefit from cost-effective, on-site electricity generation,” said Governor Cuomo. “At the same time, it is building the State’s clean-energy economy and growing jobs, showcasing once again that New York is a leader in renewable energy and environmental stewardship.”

The NY-Sun Competitive PV Program, which provides incentives for PV systems larger than 50 kilowatts, is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Funding per project is capped at $3 million, and all projects require co-funding to best leverage state resources.

“Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative has been the catalyst for the unprecedented growth of solar power in the state,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Large projects such as the ones announced today highlight the fact that public-private partnerships are having a significant positive impact on the state’s ability to diversify its renewable energy portfolio, reduce demand on the electric grid and stimulate economic activity.”

Today’s awards are made under the first of three rounds of the Competitive PV solicitation, which is a key element of New York’s Renewable Portfolio Standard program. Second round proposals have been received, and proposals for the third round are due August 29, 2013.

A steady decline in the cost to build solar PV projects since the Competitive PV Program’s launch in 2011 has enabled significant reductions to the incentives that are awarded. In 2011, the portfolio-weighted average incentive awarded was $1.30 per Watt, while in 2012 it had dropped to $0.93 per Watt. Today’s awards represent a further decline to $0.88 per Watt, or about 30 percent of the cost to build these projects.

The projects are meant to produce power for on-site use, not for direct sale to utilities. Under certain circumstances, however, unused power can be added to the grid in exchange for future utility credit. 

The solar developers or host sites that served as prime applicants receiving these awards consist of: Advanced Solar Products, Amberjack Solar, Carlisle Construction Materials, Community Energy Solar LLC, Constellation New Energy Inc., County Agency of NY LLC, Distributed Sun LLC, Dynamic Solar LLC, Energy Systems and Installations, EnterSolar LLC, Half Moon Ventures LLC, HelioSage Energy, HPP/Icetime LLC, Hudson Solar/Hudson Valley Clean Energy Inc., Jordan Energy and Food Enterprises LLC, LighthouseSolar, National Grid Energy Management, OnForce Solar, RER Energy Group, Sealing Devices Inc., SEC KC Solar One LLC, SEC Newco LLC, SoCore Solar NY Project LLC, SolarCity, Soltage VUL 1600 Chemung LLC, Spear Point Energy, Sun Edison Commercial Solutions LLC and Village of Wappinger Falls.

In addition to the Competitive PV program, NYSERDA also offers a smaller-scale solar PV program (projects of 50 kilowatts or less) under the NY-Sun Initiative. Funding under this program is $3.1 million per month in 2013. This standard offer, non-competitive open enrollment program provides funding for systems up to 7 kilowatts for residential sites and up to 50 kilowatts for non-residential sites

Governor Cuomo launched the NY-Sun initiative to accelerate solar power development in New York State. Combined efforts of NYSERDA, New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in 2012 led to the successful installation of over 58 megawatts (MW) of PV in the State, nearly doubling the amount of customer-sited PV installed in 2011. Including today’s awards, a total of 242 MW of PV has been installed or is under development as part of NY-Sun.More PV systems are being developed under NY-Sun than in the entire prior decade combined.

For more information on the NY-Sun Initiative, please visit www.ny-sun.ny.gov. The NY-Sun Competitive PV Program solicitation can be found here.