Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2017
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov

NYCHA Announces Completion of New Lighting at 18 Developments in Brooklyn, Benefitting More Than 36,000 Residents

New, brighter energy-efficient lighting will generate approximately $1.6 million in yearly cost savings for NYCHA.

NEW YORK––The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced today the completion of a $16.3 million energy-efficiency lighting installation project at 18 public housing developments in Brooklyn, benefitting more than 36,000 public housing residents. This project will generate approximately $1.6 million in annual electricity cost savings for NYCHA and help keep electrical service reliable for residents at times of high demand, especially in the upcoming summer months when electricity demand is at its highest.

“As part of our NextGeneration NYCHA long-term strategic plan, we are committed to attracting investments for capital improvements that generate savings and improve the quality of life of our residents,” said Bomee Jung, NYCHA Vice President of Energy and Sustainability. “This partnership with Con Edison delivers on that promise, while contributing to better service in many Brooklyn neighborhoods surrounding NYCHA developments.”

 “NYCHA’s project shows how a simple lighting change can make a big difference in a customer’s energy costs,” said Vicki Kuo, Director of Energy Efficiency and Demand Management programs at Con Edison. “We look forward to more energy-saving projects with customers in these fast-growing areas helping us keep service reliable.”

Lighting upgrades included replacing less-efficient compact fluorescent or incandescent bulbs in apartments, lobbies, hallways and stairwells, with more energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights, which can last up to 25,000 hours or nearly 23 years.

This project is part of Con Edison’s Neighborhood Program, which aims to reduce the demand for power in fast-growing neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens during peak hours – the times of highest electricity use over the course of the day. Con Edison contributed $5.6 million to cover a portion of the lighting installation costs in order to reduce peak energy demand in the area by 1.5 megawatts (MW) by May 2017. NYCHA has exceeded that goal by 8 percent or  115.25 kilowatts (kW).

This is the first phase of a two-year effort that will leverage a total of $8.2 million in Neighborhood Program funding to generate a total electric demand reduction of 2.4 MW by May 2018. The second phase, which includes 23 developments in Brooklyn, is anticipated to start by September of this year.

NYCHA will use the approximately $1.6 million in annual electricity cost savings generated by this project to  fund additional energy retrofits such as heating and hot water upgrades at additional developments. The energy savings resulting from this project will also contribute to the greenhouse gas emission-reduction goals of the NYC Carbon Challenge and OneNYC.  This project will reduce NYCHA’s annual CO2 emissions by 6,563 tons, which is equivalent to taking 1,253 cars off the road.

"I am satisfied with the improvements and reforms to several housing developments in my district providing substantial upgrades that benefit our residents' utility accommodations,” said Council Member Darlene Mealy. “The cost efficiency incentive and strategy on behalf of NYCHA results in a win-win situation for all parties involved."

“I am thrilled to learn that new lighting was installed for many of my Housing Authority residents and others throughout the City. Brighter lighting means safer and better,” said State Assembly Member Joe Lentol.  Plus, to know that it saves money and energy for the entire City makes this good news all around.”

Since the release of NYCHA’s comprehensive Sustainability Agenda last year, the Authority has been working with government and private sector partners to provide better service for residents, reduce energy and costs, and curb the effects of climate change. In addition to the Brooklyn Queens Neighborhood Program, work is underway to heating, hot water, interior and exterior lighting, and ventilation systems in buildings across the city through a series of large-scale Energy Performance Contracts and other energy programs.

Con Edison is investing a total of $200 million in the Neighborhood Program, which offers incentives for residential and business owners, to reduce energy demand by 52 megawatts (MW) –– 41 MW from customer-side solutions and 11 MW from utility-side solutions –– by the summer of 2018. This will help reduce stress on the electrical grid, and defer the construction of a $1.2 billion power substation. The Neighborhood Program supports New York State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative.

List of developments

• Williamsburg
• Brownsville
• Van Dyke I
• Van Dyke II
• Cooper Park
• Tilden
• Howard
• Pink
• Kingsborough
• Kingsborough Extension
• Cypress Hills
• Sumner
• Roosevelt I
• Hughes Apartments
• Woodson
• Low Houses
• Glenmore Plaza
• Unity Plaza (Sites 04-27)

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low- and moderate-income residents throughout the five boroughs. To fulfill this mission, NYCHA must preserve its aging housing stock through timely maintenance and modernization of its developments. Learn more about NYCHA’s Sustainability Agenda, which details the commitments that NYCHA will make over the next 10 years to improve resident well-being and operate as an effective and efficient landlord.