New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Aug. 24, announced the New York Power Authority has finished $2.1 million in energy efficiency upgrades at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad North White Plains Train Yard. This energy saving project, completed under the Governor's BuildSmart NY program, will save New York State more than $328,000 in energy costs and remove approximately 1,280 tons of greenhouse gases annually.
"These upgrades will make this facility greener, more energy efficient, and will reduce its energy bill, saving the MTA and ultimately riders and taxpayers money," said Governor Cuomo. "It is vital that we all take steps to help sustain the planet and through initiatives like BuildSmart NY, this administration will continue to support commonsense projects that save taxpayer dollars and make sense for the environment."
The project, which began last fall, instituted a number of comprehensive energy-saving and efficiency improvements at four major buildings throughout the train yard. These improvements included the replacement of several air-handling systems, a new boiler, electric smart meters and a building energy monitoring and management system. This system will give the MTA a greater ability to track and curtail its energy use, as well as reduce operation and maintenance costs at the facility.
The New York Power Authority oversaw the project from an initial energy audit through its completion and provided upfront financing. The energy savings resulting from the project will offset the MTA's payments back to the New York Power Authority.
New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones said, “MTA is one of the Power Authority’s most valued partners, teaming with us on numerous projects over the years to help reduce the state’s carbon footprint while also curbing energy costs. Hundreds of projects just like this one in North White Plains are happening all over the state as part of NYPA’s effort to carry out the Governor’s BuildSmart NY initiative.”
MTA Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti said, “We are delighted that the New York Power Authority is committed to helping us reduce our energy use and operating costs. Everyone knows that taking the train is the environmentally friendly way to travel, and we are always striving to make that more true than ever.”
The New York Power Authority is actively partnering with MTA to improve energy efficiency and is currently moving forward with other efforts across multiple MTA facilities. Those energy-efficiency upgrades, when completed, will save more than 50,000 megawatt hours of electricity and nearly 103,000 gallons of fuel a year and eliminate almost 31,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. (One megawatt hour is equivalent to the amount of electricity used by about 330 homes during an hour.)
Over the years, the New York Power Authority and MTA have partnered to complete 140 energy efficiency and clean energy projects, which have saved 138,000 megawatt hours of electricity, nearly 123,000 gallons of fuel a year and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 90,000 tons annually.
Launched in 2012, BuildSmart NY calls for an increase in energy efficiency in state government buildings by 20 percent by 2020. The initiative will save millions of dollars for taxpayers and create thousands of jobs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To date, New Yorkers have saved tens of millions of dollars in utility costs under Build Smart NY.
