Energy Efficient Lighting Project Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

LED lighting project in partnership with New York Power Authority is like taking 140 cars off the road.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA), in partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY), has completed the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the Purchase College campus, including outdoor street lighting and in several buildings.

The Benefits of LED

The upgrades will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 727 tons a year—the equivalent of taking more than 140 cars off the road—in addition to saving taxpayers more than $161,000 annually. This initiative supports Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) goal to reduce greenhouse

The $1.3 million project included the installation of high-efficiency LED lighting at the Performing Arts Center and the Library, in addition to LED upgrades in the campus streetlights, which will improve safety for pedestrians and drivers.

The project has helped the college to achieve approximately 30 percent of its lighting from energy-efficient LEDs, resulting in overall lower emissions and cost savings. NYPA financed and implemented the project, which was carried out under Governor Cuomo’s BuildSmart NY program, a comprehensive statewide initiative to increase energy efficiency in public buildings.

“We are very appreciative of the New York Power Authority’s partnership with Purchase College on this project. This program is consistent with Purchase College’s sustainability efforts and supports Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson’s goals for sustainability throughout the system,” says Thomas Schwarz, Purchase College president.

The Partnership Continues

In addition to the completion of the lighting improvements, NYPA has recently selected Purchase College as a demonstration site for an innovative thermal energy storage project, which will improve energy efficiency, increase reliability, and save money.

As a result of its longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, Purchase College ranks among the SUNY system’s top-ten schools in terms of energy usage reduction and has made Princeton Review’s Greenest Colleges list several times.