Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP)
CA-CP is a non-profit organization that works with local governments, campuses, and large businesses to help them reduce their carbon emissions. The organization promotes tried and true climate solutions to make your community or institution more energy efficient and save costs. This includes organizing grass-roots style outreach, reducing greenhouse gases, and obtaining grants for future action. More information can be found at CA-CP’s webpage.

Climate Smart Communities
A partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and local communities, Climate Smart Communities works with municipalities to reduce greenhouse gases and save taxpayers money through energy efficiency programs. A variety of technical, financial, and informational resources are available. Any New York municipality can join for free. Visit the Smart Communities website.

Demand Response Programs
Commercial and industrial customers that use large amounts of electricity at the same time puts the grid under stress, increasing the likelihood of outages. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) is working with businesses to help them manage their energy usage during peak electricity demand. In return, utilities pay these businesses for reducing their electricity use. To register your business for these programs or for more details, visit the NYISO website. Both National Grid and NYSEG are participants in these programs and tailor them to their customers. Visit their respective websites for more details.

Energy Efficiency for Health
National Grid and NYSERDA are collaborating with hospitals to help them reduce costs through energy efficiency upgrades. The partnership will work to lower healthcare costs through reduced energy demand, as well as providing easily accessible sustainability solutions. More information can be found on the Energy Efficiency for Health website.

Existing Facilities Program
NYSERDA’s Existing Facilities Program offers incentives for a variety of energy projects at existing commercial and industrial facilities. Pre-Qualified Incentives encourage applicants to purchase and install more energy-efficient equipment for small-sized energy projects and equipment replacement projects and range up to $30,000. The Performance-Based incentives offer incentives to customers or energy service companies who are working on large-scale energy efficiency projects, up to $5 million. These are typically higher than the Pre-Qualified Measures. Commercial and industrial facilities that pay a System Benefits Charge (SBC) are eligible. Visit the Existing Facilities Program website for details and instructions on how to apply.

FlexTech Program
NYSERDA’s FlexTech Program provides facility managers with detailed, objective, and customized information to help them make informed energy decisions. Consultants are available to help ensure maximum returns on energy investment. Cost-sharing incentives are available for certain projects and studies. Only commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities greater than 50,000 sq/ft that pay into the System Benefits Charge are eligible. Visit NYSERDA FlexTech Program webpage for details.

New Construction Program (NCP)
The New Construction Program (NCP), offered through NYSERDA, provides assistance for incorporating energy-efficiency measures into the design, construction, and operation of new and substantially renovated buildings. The program is available to all types of building construction. Technical assistance is available to help design and construct buildings to meet modern efficiency standards. Supplemental funding can also be obtained to offset the costs associated with installing energy efficient products. Further information about the program or how you can apply can be found at the NCP website.

Renewable Energy Certificates
Buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) proves that your business is committed to supporting green energy. A REC is the equivalent of 1,000 kilowatt-hours (or 1MWh) of electricity created using clean forms of power, such as wind or solar. Supplying your business with green energy will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and increase your environmental standing. Green Power NYC has an easy to use site where you can begin purchasing RECs to offset your emissions.

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Large-scale Composting
Composting at large institution can be very challenging; but it can result in big savings in tipping fees at the landfill and prevent methane emissions. Institutions with more land can choose to compost organic waste onsite, the most economical option. However, this may not be an option for urban institutions. Urban institutions can look to partner with other institutions in the city to have their organic waste transported to an industrial composting facility outside of the city.

Recycle
Albany has a program to help schools recycle. Department of General Services will provide recycling bins, recycling pick up, and educational materials for free. Commercial entities are required to provide recycling through a private hauler. Contact Albany Department of General Services at (518) 434-2489 for more information.

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Carpool
Carpooling reduces the number of vehicles on our roads, helping lower our greenhouse gas emissions and save on fuel costs. Ipool2 is an excellent resource for finding carpools in the Capital Region. Members can sign up to find others who share their commute, as well as other options including Park & Ride, forming vanpools, and other transit options.

Mass Transit
The Capital District Transportation Authority operates buses throughout the Capital Region. Using the tools on their website you can search for routes for your commute and find time tables. Using mass transit saves you money on parking, gas and the hassle of driving through traffic. CDTA buses also have bike racks on the front so that people can take their bikes on the bus with them. Varying levels of payment are available, such as day passes, 10-trips, or monthlies.

Clean Air School Bus Program
Through its Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program, NYSERDA’s Clean Air School Bus Program offers incentive funds up to 100% of the cost of purchasing and installing emission reducing technology on existing diesel-fueled school buses. Municipalities, state and local transit agencies, and schools are all eligible for funding. For more information, visit the Clean Fueled Bus website.

Car Share
Zipcar now offers FastFleet, a system that enables owners of large fleets to transform their existing system into a car share. FastFleet analyzes your current fleet and gives advice on how to trim away costly and polluting vehicles and to use the remaining vehicles more efficiently. Tracking systems installed in each vehicle enables you to keep tabs on who is using a vehicle, what it is being used for, where it is going, and when it is available. Governments, campuses, and large businesses have all seen substantial cost savings after implementing the program.

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Sustainability on Campus: Stories and Strategies for Change; Peggy F. Barlett

Sustainable Healthcare Architecture; Robin Guenther & Gail Vittori

State and Local Government: Sustainability in the 21st Century by Christopher A. Simon, Brent S. Steel, and Nicholas P. Lovrich

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