New York Construction Report staff writer
A multi-phase proposal by the Office of General Services (OGS) and The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has been launched, to reduce carbon at Empire State Plaza.
New York State has announced $100 million for phase one of the decarbonization of the Empire State Plaza, as outlined in the Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan.
The plan is a multi-phased approach to reduce the state and local environmental impacts of the Plaza’s operations. Funding will facilitate the electrification of the existing steam-driven chillers, implementation of energy efficiency improvements, and installation of a new heat recovery chiller.
“Decarbonizing Empire State Plaza reaffirms New York’s commitment to pursuing the standard-setting climate goals set out by the CLCPA (Climate and Community Protection Act) that will also create countless family-sustaining union careers in the Capital Region,” Gary LaBarbera, president of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, said in a statement. “This transition to clean energy and others like it are crucial to the future of our state, as they lay a proper foundation for our green economy, effectively reduce harmful carbon emissions, and provide hardworking New Yorkers accessible paths to the middle class.”
Phase one improvements will result in a reduction of about 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions from the Empire State Plaza.
Previous work includes the electrification of one of the Plaza’s five steam-driven chillers, the installation of energy-efficient LED indoor and outdoor lighting systems, and the ongoing replacement of existing emergency generators at the Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant with efficient, low-emission, and low-noise units.
“Decarbonizing the Empire State Plaza is a significant opportunity that will allow us to couple the modernization of energy systems at New York State capital’s landmark and address decades of long-overdue maintenance,” said Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy. “OGS is proud to continue working with NYPA on this transformative endeavor and the realization of the Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan in the long-term.”
The Empire State Plaza sits on 98 acres of land in Albany, New York, consists of 14 core buildings, and comprises approximately 12 million square feet of government office space, event space, and public space. The Empire State Plaza is heated by the Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant and receives cooling from the Central Air Conditioning Plant.
