PEACE Inc. of Syracuse receives NYSERDA awards

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recognized eight engineering firms and community-service agencies, including People's Equal Action and Community Effort (PEACE Inc.), for their energy-saving projects through the authority's Multifamily Performance Program. Partners in the program-energy professionals focused on improving multifamily building performance earned the awards for projects that exceeded the MPP minimum energy savings target of 15%. The projects demonstrate efforts to support New York's electricity and fuel reduction goals. "Multifamily buildings are large users of energy, and therefore there are many opportunities to implement energy savings measures," said Francis Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA. "Congratulations to PEACE Inc. for developing exceptional projects that go above and beyond the program requirements. The improvements applied to multifamily buildings have an important impact on energy use and the environment in the state." PEACE Inc. was honored in the Outstanding Savings Award category for exceptional savings in the retrofit of an existing building complex. It earned a bronze award for the Grant Village apartments energy efficiency project. The project reduced energy use by 25% and reduced costs by $268,658 annually through upgrades including boiler replacement, attic insulation, apartment entrance fixtures, kitchen lighting, bedroom fixtures, Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs), and carbon monoxide detectors. PEACE Inc. was also honored with a gold Partner Excellence Award for the highest actual energy savings for three completed existing projects: Grant Village plus DC West Carthage Associates (44% energy savings) and DC Carthage Associates (43% energy savings), both affordable apartment complexes in Carthage. Collectively, the three projects are saving $411,648 in energy costs annually. The objective of each project is to maximize energy efficiency in multifamily buildings to lower energy costs while improving the health and comfort of residents. With a portfolio of programs and incentives available to owners, condo/co-op boards and developers, the Multifamily Performance Program provides opportunities to gain access to NYSERDA, technical assistance, funding and low-cost financing to implement energy efficiency measures. Other winning partners include: * Buffalo Energy Inc., Buffalo; * CJ Brown Energy P.C., Buffalo * L&S Energy Services, Albany; * Steven Winter Associates Inc., New York City; * Malcarne Contracting Inc., Hudson Valley; * Community Environmental Center, New York City; and * Association for Energy Affordability, New York City.