In celebration of Earth Day, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has announced a series of initiatives that will protect the environment, conserve energy and raise public awareness throughout the state.

To advance its commitment to environmental sustainability, NYPA has become a Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry by being among the first to join the organization. The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions, the gases that cause climate change. It will also provide the measurement and reporting infrastructure to support voluntary, mandatory, market-based and emissions reduction programs that are consistent across borders and industry sectors.

“The Power Authority’s membership in The Climate Registry is in keeping with the great importance we place on being among the cleanest utilities in the country in the operation of our hydroelectric and other generating facilities and investment in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency,” Roger B. Kelley, NYPA president and chief executive officer said. “These facets of our operation are contributing extensively to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the goals of The Climate Registry. We’re looking forward to contributing to the success of this important organization.”

As a Founding Reporter, NYPA will continue to expand its efforts to measure and manage its “carbon footprint”, using protocols established by The Climate Registry. A key component of participation is a commitment to independent verification and public reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. The Power Authority will continue to look for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to this initiative, the Power Authority is launching a new webpage for the public to learn about its many environment-friendly efforts and projects. There, the public will find information on the numerous community activities participated in or hosted by the Power Authority.

They include: NYPA’s hosting of Earth Day celebrations in Western New York and in the Capital Region; sponsorship of three “Envirothons” in which students are tested for their knowledge and understanding of natural resources and issues; and participation in numerous Earth Day events with information booths and hybrid car displays.

The webpage also will feature some of the Power Authority’s more recent energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Since 1991, the Power Authority has become a leader in promoting energy efficiency, engaging in upgrades with no up-front costs to public schools and other government facilities. NYPA works with facility managers to identify, design and install new lighting and motors, as well as upgrades to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

To date, the Power Authority has invested more than $1.1 billion on energy efficiency programs, saving taxpayers over $100 million annually and reducing the dependency of oil by two million barrels per year and greenhouse gases by more than 830,000 tons per year.

NYPA is committed to advancing Governor Paterson’s 15 by 15 energy policy to reduce electricity use by 15 percent from forecasted levels by 2015 and will dedicate $1.4 billion over the next several years to do so.

Also, the Power Authority has increased its activities in renewable energy technologies like solar power, wind energy, fuel cells and biomass and committed to investing in electric and hybrid-electric demonstration vehicles, which have logged nearly nine million miles on the state’s roadways.