LIPA Launches Its RECAP Program
Energy Solutions for Commercial Customers
King Kullen Grocery Company Will Cut Energy Consumption by 12,000,000
Kilowatt-Hours Of Electricity Annually
Bellmore, NY—September 13, 2006—Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
Chairman Richard M. Kessel, today announced the official launch of LIPA’s
Retrofit Energy and Capacity Program (RECAP). The RECAP program is designed to
reduce Long Island’s electric consumption by 75 megawatts (MW) by assisting
LIPA’s commercial customers in finding valuable energy solutions that reduces
electricity consumption, saves the environment and lowers their electric bills.
RECAP is a unique three-way partnership between LIPA, LIPA’s commercial
customers and several LIPA-selected energy service companies (ESCO’S). The RECAP
program is designed to assist commercial customers, multi-family buildings of
four or more apartments and publicly owned facilities. The RECAP partnership
identifies long term energy reduction opportunities through the use of more
energy efficient heating and air conditioning technologies, lighting systems,
lighting controls, refrigeration upgrades, pumps and motor drives and energy
management systems that provide significant energy and dollar savings.
“Long Island’s business community is a highly competitive marketplace,” said
LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. “By becoming more energy efficient with the
assistance of LIPA’s RECAP program local businesses can sharpen their
competitive edge, enhance their bottom line and help reduce our dependence on
fossil fuels.”
According to Mr. Kessel, “LIPA is targeting numerous businesses on Long
Island to become part of LIPA’s RECAP program, they can lower their bills and
electric usage at the same time.”
Businesses such as the King Kullen Grocery Company can certainly benefit from
this program by having LIPA help offset the cost to retrofit their facilities to
hold down their energy costs, provide better lighting and be more energy
efficient.
King Kullen, headquartered in Bethpage has already embarked on a
comprehensive lighting upgrade project as a result of participating in LIPA’s
RECAP program. The project covers 45 store locations, and is expected to reduce
energy consumption by over 12,000,000 kilowatt-hours annually. The energy
savings from this project alone is enough to power about 1200 average sized Long
Island homes. To date, RECAP projects at 10 King Kullen stores have been
completed with seven more currently in progress. The remaining stores are
scheduled to be completed by January of 2007.
The King Kullen stores will be installing new lighting that utilizes
high-efficiency fluorescent technology, coupled with improved lighting controls.
In addition to energy savings and lowered maintenance costs, the high-efficiency
lighting delivers excellent color rendering, high uniformity and low glare.
Other energy efficient technologies will also be integrated.
“LIPA’s RECAP program is providing a financial incentive,” said King Kullen’s
Vice President Tom Cullen. “The lighting project is an ideal opportunity to
reduce our operating costs, update the store’s appearance with high quality
lighting, and help the environment by reducing energy consumption. It’s a
win-win for everyone.”
In October of 2003, LIPA issued an RFP seeking proposals that would help LIPA
achieve up to 75 MWs of energy and capacity savings through long-term energy
efficiency initiatives. Through the RFP process, five energy service companies (ESCO’s)
were approved. The companies selected include: Lockheed Martin/Aspen Systems,
Custom Energy, Ameresco, Conservation Services Group (CSG), and Johnson Controls. The energy
efficiency programs proposed by these six companies will collectively achieve
about 75 MWs of long-term energy savings.
How Does RECAP Work?
- The ESCO will evaluate facilities and make recommendations for upgrades
and improvements.
- The customer and the ESCO will choose the appropriate equipment.
- The ESCO handles LIPA approval of the project.
- LIPA approves the project and provides an incentive to the ESCO to help
offset the cost of the project.
- Upon approval, the ESCO will install new energy-efficient measures.
What Energy-Saving measures are covered?
- Lighting upgrades (retrofit and new fixtures)
- Lighting controls.
- Roof-top HVAC units.
- Refrigeration upgrades.
- Motors and VFD’s (Variable frequency drives)
- Energy management systems.
“Reducing wasteful energy consumption is good for our bottom line, good for
the environment, and good for our Country because it reduces our dependence on
imported fossil fuels”, said Gordian Raacke, executive director of Renewable
Energy Long Island (RELI), the region’s clean energy advocacy organization.
“LIPA’s innovative approach to contract with the private sector to achieve a
large chunk of energy savings with state-of-the-art energy efficiency
technologies is a major milestone on the path towards an energy efficient
economy.”
"CSG looks forward to working with LIPA and the small business community on
Long Island to address the critical energy needs of Long Island. This means
helping Long Island business customers be more productive, more energy
independent, and environmentally responsible through energy efficiency. We
congratulate LIPA for crafting a plan to meet the energy needs of Long Island
through its RECAP program, developed under the Clean Energy Initiative," Stephen
Cowell, CEO of CSG.
“Lockheed Martin/Aspen Systems applauds LIPA’s initiatives in the Clean
Energy area, and particularly its innovative RECAP program. Aspen believes RECAP
will prove a very positive investment for LIPA and a benefit for LIPA’s
customers. Aspen is proud to be a partner with LIPA in this initiative,” Patrick
McCarthy, Vice President
"The RECAP program provides a unique opportunity for Long Island businesses
to upgrade their facilities, thereby improving the community, and Ameresco is
excited to be a part of it," said George P. Sakellaris, President, Ameresco.
“Congratulations to LIPA for putting together a timely and forward thinking
initiative that will bring great benefit to their customers,” stated Dale Hahs,
president of Custom Energy. “We’re pleased to be able to participate with the
residents of Long Island with reducing their energy costs while providing
solutions that will enhance their facilities and the environment for years to
come. Programs like these act as a catalyst allowing us to shore up failing
facility infrastructures and strengthen local economies while becoming ever more
energy efficient and better stewards of our natural resources.”
“Local business is the backbone of Long Island’s economy, and one of the most
important factors in achieving success in maintaining the bottom line. LIPA’s
RECAP program is specifically designed to help Long Island business make energy
efficient improvements that can save real dollars and lower their costs,”
concluded Mr. Kessel.
To learn more about the RECAP program and other LIPA conservation programs
for both commercial and residential customers, visit LIPA’s Web site at
www.lipower.org |
