Source: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA announced that the numbers of New York State homeowners who completed energy efficiency retrofits reached all-time monthly records in both January and February 2011, through Green Jobs/Green NY.
History of the Green Jobs/Green NY Program
Created by the NY Legislature and launched Nov. 15, 2010, Green Jobs/Green NY was expected to generate jobs in the state. Well it did. Green jobs stimulate investment in energy efficiency improvements for residential homes and businesses.
It currently provides homeowners with free or low-cost energy audits, and low-interest loans to finance the jobs needed for your home or business. The program is available to small commercial, not-for-profit and multifamily buildings in the coming months.
In January alone, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR completed more than 800 retrofits, an all-time record for the program. Then in February there were more than 600 retrofits, an all-time record for that month.
“These numbers are very encouraging,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “By supporting the development of a vibrant energy efficiency industry, GJGNY is already helping homeowners and businesses reduce their energy costs while also supporting Governor Cuomo’s plan to create jobs right here in New York.We look forward to even greater success once the full Outreach and Marking effort is implemented.”
Other Green Jobs/Green NY highlights:
- Since free and reduced-cost energy audits were offered in November, NYSERDA has received 4,141 applications. Of these, 3,294 residential customers were approved for free audits and 297 for reduced-cost audits.
- As of end of February, 420 applications have been approved for Green Jobs/ Green NY low-cost financing with 96 loans closed, 87 loans approved and awaiting closing, and an additional 237 loans in process, for a total of approximately $3.3 million in capital.
- Contract negotiations are underway for training new entrants to the workforce and displaced workers for jobs in New York State’s clean-energy industry. Ultimately, Green Jobs/Green NY will fund training for 6,000 workers.
Free energy audits are being provided to individuals with incomes up to 200 percent of the Area Median Income, and reduced priced energy audits are available to households with incomes up to 400 percent of the Area Median Income (here is the link of the listing of income levels).
The Green Jobs-Green New York energy audit, loan and jobs training initiatives are funded with $112 million acquired by auctioning carbon emission credits through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The seed money from the RGGI fund, and from an $18.6 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy, will be used to leverage private investment.
