City of Rochester
News Release
(Monday, March 22, 2010) – Mayor Robert J. Duffy announced today that the City of Rochester has received notification of the award of two energy conservation project grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Funding for these grants originated from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal stimulus program.
• $145,000 was awarded to fund new energy efficient lighting at the High Falls Garage on State Street. It is expected that energy savings from the project will result in reduced electric consumption which will provide a payback time for the investment of fewer than three years while improving the lighting level for parking garage patrons.
• $215,000 was awarded to fund the installation of a 50kW photovoltaic energy system at the Arnett Branch Library. This system will produce up to 50 percent of the library’s annual electricity needs with clean, renewable solar energy, producing an estimated 54,880 kWh of electricity annually while realizing an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 45,660 lbs. of CO2.
“These grants are instrumental in assisting the City in implementing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and create models of sustainability,” said Mayor Robert J. Duffy. “These projects represent a significant long-term investment in Rochester’s quality of life because they will save taxpayer dollars through energy efficiency, strengthen the local economy with new green products and services and improve air quality and public health.”
“The federal stimulus program is providing critical funding to help local governments, hospitals, colleges, and universities, and non-profit agencies reduce their energy costs while helping New York reduce its overall energy consumption and our impact on the environment,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. “NYSERDA looks forward to working with the City of Rochester to help them achieve the greatest savings possible."
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Media contacts:
High Falls Garage Project: Sue Olley, Parking Director, 428-7484.
Arnett Branch Library Project: Anne Spaulding, Sr. Environmental Specialist, 428-7474.