New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Encyclopedia
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), established in 1975, is a public benefit corporation
, located in Albany, New York, with regional offices in NYC
, Buffalo, and West Valley
.
NYSERDA offers information and analysis, programs, technical expertise, and funding aimed at helping New Yorkers increase energy efficiency
, save money, use renewable energy
, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels
. NYSERDA professionals are charged with protecting the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA collaborates with businesses, industry, the federal government, academia, the environmental community, public interest groups, and energy market participants to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet New York State’s goal of “45 by 15.”
Francis J. Murray, Jr., serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of NYSERDA and reports directly to the Board of Directors.
The Board oversees the development of the Authority’s budget and program plan, and the processes, policies and procedures in which staff are to perform their duties in their efforts to fulfill NYSERDA’s mission, and in the public’s interest. The Commissioners of the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Transportation and the Chairmen of the New York Power Authority
and Public Service Commission serve ex officio. Additional members must include: research scientist(s), economist(s), not-for-profit environmentalist(s), member(s) of a not-for-profit consumer group, officer(s) of a utility, primarily engaged in the distribution of gas, officer(s) of an electric utility, and three public members.
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
, NYSERDA’s priorities were to find oil substitutes and reduce energy costs to consumers.
The Authority’s early efforts focused on reducing the State’s petroleum consumption and promoting the development of the State’s hydropower resources, research environmentally-safe, coal-burning technologies, and promote efficient energy use.
In the early years, NYSERDA projects focused on the rehabilitation of several hydroelectric facilities as well as fostering nationally recognized research on utility coal- burning technology and attendant environmental advances. These early efforts introduced a home-energy audit program and conservation measures that became national models.
were established to diminish groundwater
pollution and regulate landfill design. Accordingly, NYSERDA began to focus on landfill reclamation, the process of “mining” waste landfills to recycle materials, as one solution to the shrinking availability of landfill space and continued to develop new energy resources and technologies, placing increased emphasis on technologies that facilitated environmental conservation and repair.
In the 90s, air and water quality, and solid waste issues were pressing environmental concerns for the State, as were the continued economic challenges. In response to these pressing matters, in 1995, NYSERDA began to focus on innovative opportunities and projects that were linked to energy, environment, and economy.
students.
Public benefit corporation
A public-benefit corporation is a public corporation chartered by a state designed to perform some public benefit.A public authority is a type of public-benefit corporation that takes on a more bureaucratic role, such as the maintenance of public infrastructure, that often has broad powers to...
, located in Albany, New York, with regional offices in NYC
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Buffalo, and West Valley
West Valley, New York
West Valley is a hamlet located within the town of Ashford in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Located at the intersection of Cattaraugus County Route 53 and State Route 240, the hamlet is home to West Valley Central School and the West Valley Demonstration Project, a nuclear cleanup...
.
NYSERDA offers information and analysis, programs, technical expertise, and funding aimed at helping New Yorkers increase energy efficiency
Efficient energy use
Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature...
, save money, use renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels
Fossil fuel
Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years...
. NYSERDA professionals are charged with protecting the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA collaborates with businesses, industry, the federal government, academia, the environmental community, public interest groups, and energy market participants to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet New York State’s goal of “45 by 15.”
Mission Statement
Advance innovative energy solutions in ways that improve New York's economy and environment.Vision Statement
To serve as a catalyst - advancing energy innovation and technology, transforming New York's economy, empowering people to choose clean and efficient energy as a part of their everyday lives.Funding Sources
- System Benefits Charge (SBC)
- Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
- Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS)
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- Clean Air Interstate Rule
Responsibilities
- Conducting a multifaceted energy and environmental research and development program to meet New York State's diverse econimic needs.
- Making energy more affordable for residential and low-income households.
- Helping industries, schools, hospitals, municipalities, not-for-profits, and the residential sector, including low-income residents, implement energy efficiency measures.
- Provide objective, credible, and useful energy analysis and planning to guide decisions made by major energy stakeholders in the private and public sectors.
- Managing the Western New York Nuclear Service Center at West Valley, including: (1) overseeing the State's interestes and share of costs at the West Valley Demonstration Project, a federal/State radioactive waste clean-up effort, and (2) managing wastes and maintaining facilities at the shut-down State Licensed Disposal Area.
- Coordinating the State's activities on nuclear energy matters including the regulation of radioactive materials, and monitoring low-level radioactive waste generation and management in the State.
- Financing energy-related projects, reducing costs for ratepayers.
Governance
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is governed by a 13-member Board appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the New York Senate.Francis J. Murray, Jr., serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of NYSERDA and reports directly to the Board of Directors.
The Board oversees the development of the Authority’s budget and program plan, and the processes, policies and procedures in which staff are to perform their duties in their efforts to fulfill NYSERDA’s mission, and in the public’s interest. The Commissioners of the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Transportation and the Chairmen of the New York Power Authority
New York Power Authority
The New York Power Authority , officially the Power Authority of the State of New York , is a New York State public benefit corporation and the largest state-owned power organization in the United States. NYPA provides some of the lowest-cost electricity in New York State, operating 17 generating...
and Public Service Commission serve ex officio. Additional members must include: research scientist(s), economist(s), not-for-profit environmentalist(s), member(s) of a not-for-profit consumer group, officer(s) of a utility, primarily engaged in the distribution of gas, officer(s) of an electric utility, and three public members.
1970s
In 1975, the New York State Legislature created the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Working with other State agencies, including the New York Public Service CommissionNew York Public Service Commission
The New York Public Service Commission is a government agency that regulates the various utilities of the state of New York. The commission also oversees the cable industry.The commission consists of up to five members, led by a commissioner...
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for the conservation, improvement, and protection of natural resources within the U.S. state of New York. It was founded in 1970, replacing the previous Conservation Department...
, NYSERDA’s priorities were to find oil substitutes and reduce energy costs to consumers.
The Authority’s early efforts focused on reducing the State’s petroleum consumption and promoting the development of the State’s hydropower resources, research environmentally-safe, coal-burning technologies, and promote efficient energy use.
In the early years, NYSERDA projects focused on the rehabilitation of several hydroelectric facilities as well as fostering nationally recognized research on utility coal- burning technology and attendant environmental advances. These early efforts introduced a home-energy audit program and conservation measures that became national models.
1980s
Environmental regulations in the 1980sEnvironmental policy of the United States
The environmental policy of the United States is federal governmental action to regulate activities that have an environmental impact in the United States...
were established to diminish groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock...
pollution and regulate landfill design. Accordingly, NYSERDA began to focus on landfill reclamation, the process of “mining” waste landfills to recycle materials, as one solution to the shrinking availability of landfill space and continued to develop new energy resources and technologies, placing increased emphasis on technologies that facilitated environmental conservation and repair.
1990s
During the recession of the 90s, NYSERDA’s emphasis shifted to developing innovative technologies that saved energy and created economic development opportunities for businesses and industries throughout New York.In the 90s, air and water quality, and solid waste issues were pressing environmental concerns for the State, as were the continued economic challenges. In response to these pressing matters, in 1995, NYSERDA began to focus on innovative opportunities and projects that were linked to energy, environment, and economy.
2000s
NYSERDA organizes the Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Challenge, a program for high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
students.