Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2013
Contact: media@nycha.nyc.gov, (212) 306-3322

NYCHA Named Public Partner of the Year by Con Edison for Facilitating Energy-Saving Upgrades in its Buildings

Approximately 5,300 NYCHA units have benefitted from Con Edison’s energy efficiency program

Con Edison named the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) the Public Partner of the Year for completing a massive energy-efficiency project in 5,300 public housing units in Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn. The announcement was made during Con Edison’s Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program Recognition Awards Breakfast, during which the utility honored building owners, property managers and contractors who led the way in 2012 in making energy- and money-saving efficiency upgrades in multifamily buildings. The Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program provides free energy efficiency surveys and incentives to owners of residential buildings with five-to-75-units for heating, cooling and lighting upgrades to common areas. Under the available incentives, NYCHA qualified for free compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), shower heads, faucet aerators, and smart strips (surge protectors) for electrical appliances.

“The New York City Housing Authority appreciates Con Edison’s support in joining us in our efforts to make our buildings greener and more energy efficient,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. “NYCHA is fully committed to providing safe, affordable housing for its 400,000 residents in a cost-efficient and environmentally conscious manner. Through key partnerships such as these, NYCHA is able to invest in energy efficiency upgrades that will benefit our residents, the Authority, the city and the environment for years to come.”

“This program from Con Edison makes it possible for NYCHA to reduce its carbon footprint, which will benefit all of New York City,” said Margarita Lopez, Board Member and Environmental Coordinator for NYCHA. “With this, we continue to move forward in spreading the importance of greening and environmental care for future generations.”

“Our multifamily energy-efficiency program is at its most successful when owners and managers work with our installation contractors to upgrade to modern lighting, HVAC, and other equipment,” said Gregory Elcock, manager of Con Edison’s multifamily program. “These honorees made buildings more comfortable for tenants and helped ensure that New York City remains a clean, safe place to live and work.”

A total of 412 NYCHA buildings consisting of 9,236 units in 91 developments qualified to receive one or more of the incentives. To date approximately 5,300 dwelling units have received these incentives. Installation is currently underway in the remaining buildings. NYCHA anticipates an energy savings of at least $1 million per year. Developments that qualified for the incentives include First Houses, Randolph and Samuel Houses in Manhattan; Crown Heights, Bushwick and Ocean Hill-Brownsville Houses in Brooklyn; Betances IV, Franklin Avenue I and II and Highbridge Rehabs in the Bronx; and Rehab Program (College Point) in Queens.

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

NYCHA provides decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low and moderate- income residents throughout the five boroughs. To fulfill this mission, NYCHA must preserve its aging housing stock through timely maintenance and modernization of its developments. To that effect, NYCHA aims to become a leader among landlords when it comes to implementing strategies to make New York City more sustainable. For more information, visit: NYCHA