Articles

Con Edison and Public Energy Solutions Launch Operation Kill-A-Watt in NYC

January 25, 2007

Con Edison and Public Energy Solutions (PES) are shedding some light on ways that New York City buildings can prevent blackouts, help the electric grid this summer and save 25 to 50 percent on energy costs through a new program called Operation Kill-A-Watt.

Operation Kill-A-Watt is a lighting and energy upgrade initiative that has already significantly reduced electric demand in the New York area and allowed building owners the opportunity to make valuable, environmentally-friendly changes to their buildings.

Operation Kill-A-Watt paid for $7 million in lighting efficiency projects last year and has increased the funding to $10 million in 2007. PES has been awarded contracts by Con Edison to help reduce power consumption by 40,000 KW (kilowatts) in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester County. PES and Con Edison are reaching out to New York City businesses and multi-family residential buildings to assist in preventing black outs and reduce demand on the already strained electric grid for the summer of 2007 and beyond.

By permanently reducing electric load in selected areas, major power outages can be avoided and infrastructure improvements can be deferred or avoided. By applying now, New Yorkers in targeted load areas may be eligible to receive free energy-efficient lighting upgrades and even cash back for equipment replaced.

“New York businesses and residences, whether they pay their own electric bill or if it is part of their lease, know the high cost of the power they pay. New Yorkers have the chance to take advantage of these incentives to help pay for part or all of the cost of an efficiency upgrade before the offer runs out. While people might be hesitant to sign up for a program that claims something for nothing, we have overcome that barrier by providing numerous benefits so far,” said Keith Hartman, president of PES. Some of the benefits that Operation Kill-A-Watt has provided for New York City include the following:

	With over 1,500 customers participating in 2006, Operation Kill-A-Watt permanently reduced over 8,000 kW (kilowatts) in electric demand.
	90 percent of customers received lighting upgrades at ZERO cost with no payments required.
	90 percent of customers received lighting upgrades at ZERO cost with no payments required.
	Half the customers saved 50 percent on their total electric bill from Con Edison.
	Half the customers saved 50 percent on their total electric bill from Con Edison.
	The other half saved over 25 percent on their Con Edison electric bills.

“Over the next 10 years, the combined electric bill savings for the entire Operation Kill-A-Watt program will save New Yorkers over $230 million in electric costs; money that will be infused back into the New York economy,” said Hartman.

For more information about Operation Kill-A-Watt, please contact Public Energy Solutions,
at (866) 818-1900, ext. 102, or visit www.publicenergysolutions.com.

Public Energy Solutions, located in Englewood, N.J., is a leading lighting and energy management services company. Operation Kill-A-Watt was created in 2005.