According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), an energy efficiency project at the State University of N.Y. (SUNY) at Canton that is projected to save the college more than $236,000 and result in the avoidance of over 800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This project, at SUNY Canton's Convocation Athletic Recreation Center (known as Roos House), supports governor Cuomo's Build Smart NY initiative to increase energy efficiency in state buildings by 20% in seven years by strategically accelerating priority improvements in energy performance. NYSERDA provided $383,000 in incentives for the energy efficiency project at Roos House, which is expected to reduce natural gas usage by 2,763 million Btu and electricity usage by 1.1 million kilowatt hours. The natural gas savings is equivalent to the energy needed to heat 39 homes annually. The electricity savings is equivalent of the amount needed to power 160 homes. This initiative will save millions of dollars for taxpayers and create thousands of jobs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "We must make incorporating energy efficiency a priority in all of our state owned buildings. The SUNY Canton project highlights the benefits that can be realized by installing energy efficiency measures-a reduction in costs and energy usage as well as having a positive impact on our environment," said governor Cuomo. Interim SUNY Canton president Carli Schiffner said, "We appreciate the support from NYSERDA and applaud the Governor's Office for committing to principles of environmentally sustainable building design for all new construction and renovations. Savings from energy-efficient buildings are realized both at the local and state level. It is also particularly apt that we at SUNY Canton follow these guidelines, as we teach LEED practices in our alternative and renewable energy systems program." "Our colleges and universities can greatly assist the State in achieving its energy goals through measures such as those that SUNY Canton has invested in through this project," said Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO, NYSERDA. "Under governor Cuomo's leadership, the State continues to expand its energy efficiency efforts that will in turn stimulate economic development and create jobs in the local communities where these institutions are located." NYSERDA's incentive helped SUNY Canton defray a portion of the implementation cost to install the energy efficiency improvements at Roos House. The energy efficiency measures include insulation, high-performance glazing, lighting and daylighting controls, thermal energy storage and energy recovery. As a result of these measures, the athletic facility is projected to be 32% more energy efficient than the New York State energy code requires. Funding for this project is through NYSERDA's New Construction Program, which provides technical support to design teams and financial incentives to building owners involved in the construction of new or substantially renovated structures in New York State. It is a first-come, first-served program available to commercial, institutional and industrial sector customers of certain utilities. New Construction Program incentives are paid out upon project completion. The intent of the program is not only to improve energy efficiency and green building practices, but to effect a permanent transformation in the way buildings are designed and constructed throughout the state. Governor Cuomo's Build Smart NY Initiative will support his call for 20 percent energy efficiency in seven years by using state building energy data to prioritize projects that will deliver the greatest energy savings per dollar spent. The largest and most inefficient buildings will be addressed first and will undergo comprehensive whole-building improvements. Build Smart NY will accelerate projects that produce the greatest savings and coordinate all spending. The program will also ensure that cost-effective improvements for energy savings are considered in all the state's capital project planning. In addition to its energy savings goals, Build Smart NY supports governor Cuomo's larger NY Works program and economic development agenda, which coordinates state funding to accelerate projects that will create jobs and improve the state's infrastructure. NY Works is designed to expedite select projects with maximum economic impact, allowing them to begin as soon as possible and reduce project costs by hundreds of millions of dollars. A Build Smart NY web platform was launched that posts progress reports, case studies, energy savings, project costs, and other information to the public, providing greater accountability and transparency on government spending and performance. For more information on this initiative, visit www.buildsmart.ny.gov. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.