Agency contacts: NYSERDA…

Agency contacts:                                       NYSERDA spokesperson:
Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com)                    Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org)
Phone: 978-525-3742                                    Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3359
                                                       www.getenergysmart.org
Mary Ingram-Schatz (mary@ingramschatz.com)
Phone: 773-955-2126
____________________________________________________________

          New Yorkers: BE COOL with air conditioner incentives
     State's `BE COOL' incentive helps Con Edison customers save energy
                            and reduce pollution

NEW YORK, NY ­ May 25, 2007: New York City and Westchester County have
always had a cool vibe, but come summer they are quite the hot spot. To beat the heat
without wasting energy, New Yorkers can now turn in old air conditioners and earn
financial incentives on ENERGY STAR® qualified models.


This summer the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's
(NYSERDA) BE COOL campaign makes it easier for New Yorkers to save energy.
Single- and multi-family residential customers of Con Edison electric service in New
York City and Westchester County who turn in an old, working room air conditioner and
purchase a new ENERGY STAR qualified model can earn a financial reward. Those
turning in a window-based room air conditioning unit may earn $35 for each unit and
those turning in a through-the-wall air conditioning unit may earn $100 for each unit
when they purchase a new ENERGY STAR model.


Residents just need to bring their old unit to an authorized drop off site or retailer
location, where the units will be properly recycled and residents will receive a mail-in
application for the incentive. Managers of multi-family buildings may contact
NYSERDA directly to complete a change-out of all the units in their building.


The savings to New York City residents go far beyond the initial incentive. According to
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family spends $1,900 a
year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to cooling and heating. Additionally,
ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners use 10 to 25 percent less energy than a
conventional new model or up to 40 percent less energy than a 10-year-old unit.
Additionally, ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners often include timers or
programmable thermostats for better temperature control, allowing residents to use the
minimum amount of energy needed to cool a room, and to cool the room only when it's
really needed.


"NYSERDA's BE COOL campaign represents a huge opportunity for New Yorkers to
reduce both their energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, as well as save money," said
Karen Villeneuve, acting Director of Residential Programs for NYSERDA. "With just a
few simple changes, New Yorkers can use their air conditioners without wasting energy.
It's really the way to `be cool' this summer."


"Con Edison customers can keep cool this summer and help reduce pollutants by
properly recycling their old air conditioners and buying ENERGY STAR qualified air
conditioners," said Rebecca Craft, director of energy efficiency programs for Con Edison.
"ENERGY STAR qualified appliances use energy efficiently and the BE COOL reward is
an added incentive."


New Yorkers who are not eligible for the incentive can still save energy during the
summer by using timers on air conditioners and lights; closing shades or curtains on
windows that receive direct afternoon sun; using ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent
light bulbs (CFLs) instead of wasteful, heat-generating incandescent bulbs; and always
looking for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing appliances and air conditioning
products. Also, by shifting energy-intensive tasks such as dishwashing and clothes
washing to cooler early morning or late night hours, New Yorkers can help reduce mid-
afternoon heat build-up and make sure there is enough electricity for everyone during the
hottest part of the day.


The message is hip, but the results are serious. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), if one out of 10 families in the United States used cooling and
heating equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR, the change would keep more
than 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air. Additionally, properly sizing new units,
recycling old ones and taking simple steps to be more energy efficient at home increases
the savings.


"The New York Power Authority's energy efficiency programs, on behalf of its public
sector partners, have contributed to significant energy savings across the state. Working
with NYSERDA, New York City and Con Edison to provide consumers with the tools to
save energy in the home will have a positive effect this summer," said Timothy S. Carey,
president and CEO of the New York Power Authority.


NYSERDA is also coordinating with New York City's plaNYC effort to make New York
City more sustainable and plan for the year 2030.


"I urge all New Yorkers to take advantage of these programs to make saving energy even
more cost-effective," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "By taking these easy steps in
their homes, New Yorkers can lower their electricity bills, help prevent blackouts, and
help prevent climate change. Helping consumers save energy is a key component of our
plaNYC effort to build a greener, greater New York, and we are proud to be working
with NYSERDA on this program."


Visit www.GetEnergySmart.org or call 1-877-NY-SMART (1-877-697-6278) for more
information about BE COOL and other summer energy saving tips.


The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) uses
innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult and environmental
problems in ways that improve the State's economy.


NYPA is the Empire State's largest supplier of electricity and provides energy-saving
services and clean energy technologies to public institutions such as schools, hospitals
and universities. Visit www.nypa.gov to learn more about the New York Power
Authority.
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