On Dec. 28, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order directing state agencies to increase the energy efficiency of their buildings by 20 percent within seven years. To help them meet this goal, he also launched the Build Smart NY initiative. Build Smart NY will use state building energy data to prioritize projects that will deliver the greatest energy savings per dollar spent.
Build Smart NY will benchmark the energy usage of state buildings and execute energy master plans at the most energy intensive campuses. Based on the findings of the benchmarking data and energy master plans, the initiative will target retrofits in the largest and most inefficient buildings. These will undergo whole-building improvements, such as new lighting fixtures and controls, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, electric motors, and automated energy management systems.The Build Smart NY team will be located at the New York Power Authority, which has committed $450 million in low-cost financing, and supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
IMT applauds Gov. Cuomo’s initiative. “Build Smart NY will save millions in taxpayer dollars and create thousands of jobs by making sure state buildings aren’t wasting energy,” said Andrew Burr, director of building energy performance policy at IMT. “This common-sense policy is a model for other states and a prime example of how job creation and fiscal responsibility can go hand in hand.”
To learn more about Build Smart NY, read the governor’s press release or visit the Build Smart NY website.