NYSERDA Spotlights New Yorkers Saving Energy and Money with Shining Example Contest

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is in search of shining examples when it comes to saving energy and protecting the environment. By entering the NYSERDA-sponsored Shining Example online video and essay contest, New Yorkers could win a free ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) home makeover, a free Home Performance assessment, a chance to be featured in NYSERDA's next television commercial and other prizes.

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From January 11 to May 1, 2010, New York residents of all ages can enter the contest at ShiningExampleNY.com by submitting a 90-second video or 250-word essay demonstrating why they've switched to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs and what the switch means to them. Legal New York state residents are eligible to participate in the contest provided that they pay into the System Benefits Charge (SBC) and are customers of utilities in SBC territory. Customers of the New York Power Authority, Long Island Power Authority, rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities are not eligible.

The Shining Example online contest is just one way NYSERDA is rallying New Yorkers to participate in an ambitious program to save more than one million megawatt hours of electricity by installing 16.9 million CFLs statewide - enough electricity to power more than 165,000 homes for a year. It's all part of Governor Paterson's '45 by 15' plan to help the State receive 45 percent of its electricity through energy efficiency and clean renewable energy by 2015. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer than standard light bulbs. Each ENERGY STAR qualified CFL saves about $30 over the lifetime of the bulb.

"New York has been a national leader in the efforts to reduce energy consumption, and we want to shine the light on individual New Yorkers who are helping us in our efforts to build a brighter future," said NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. "The simple act of switching incandescent bulbs to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs could save New Yorkers millions of dollars in energy costs, while improving our environment. This contest seeks to recognize New Yorkers who are already taking action and can inspire others to follow their lead."

Anyone can become a fan of the contest at Facebook.com/ShiningExampleNY and follow it on Twitter.com/ShiningExample to get contest updates, see the latest videos, and learn about tips to save energy and help protect the environment.

A panel of judges will select the top 20 entries, including one video winner and one essay winner, from each of the following regions:

• North Country (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington counties)
• Capital/Saratoga (Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schoharie counties)
• Mid-Hudson (Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties)
• Downstate East (Kings and Queens counties)
• Downstate North (Westchester and Bronx counties)
• Downstate South (New York and Richmond counties)
• Southern Tier (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Otsego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties)
• Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties)
• Finger Lakes/Genesee (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties)
• Central New York (Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego)

The 10 video winners will be eligible to have portions of their video appear in the Shining Example television ad debuting in Fall 2010, receive a free Comprehensive Home Assessment through Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and receive a free CFL bulb makeover for themselves and 10 neighbors. The 10 essay winners will be eligible to receive a free Comprehensive Home Assessment and free CFL bulb makeover for themselves.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is a comprehensive program that follows a whole-house approach to identify where and how your home is losing energy. A participating Building Performance Institute (BPI) Accredited Contractor will present recommendations for energy improvements, provide a cost estimate to do the improvements, and can even do the work to make your home up to 40 percent more energy efficient and create a healthier, more comfortable living environment.

To review the rules and enter the contest, visit ShiningExampleNY.com.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy.

Under direction of the New York State Public Service Commission, NYSERDA works with utilities and other entities to administer the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS), a multi-faceted energy efficiency initiative. With a goal of reducing electric usage by 15 percent of projected levels by 2015, the EEPS will cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce customers' electric bills, stimulate economic development and create jobs in the clean energy sector for New Yorkers.

The SBC territory comprises service territories of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York Electric & Gas Corporation, National Grid, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., and Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation.

SOURCE The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)