What Happened?
New York City plans to spend $100 million on alterations and improvements to 300 public housing developments to increase energy efficiency.
Goal
The New York City Housing Authority is working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide $100 million in public housing building improvements designed to:
- Reduce energy costs
- Preserve funds for vital repairs and upgrades
- Create hundreds of green jobs
Nearly 300 New York Housing Authority developments will be upgraded or retrofitting with energy efficient resources that will create more than 500 jobs while generating significant cost savings. The project is directly aligned with New York City’s goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
By making public housing more energy efficient, the New York Housing Authority can mitigate rising utility costs for residents. The authority will also utilize alternative finance sources for energy and water upgrades which will free up capital to be used for building improvements and repairs. Energy saving measures include upgrades to heating plants and distribution systems, as well as installation of energy efficient lighting and apartment sensors.
The New York Housing Authority will leverage federal technical assistance to:
- Identify potential energy conservation measures
- Quantify potential savings
- Rate and rank potential measures
- Allocate savings to future energy efficiency and water-saving projects
It is a priority for the housing authority to cut its energy usage, as utility costs for water, electricity and heat have increased 65 percent over the last 10 years, while consumption has only jumped 9 percent.
Public Housing Going Solar
Many public housing authorities are investing in renewable energy sources to cut costs and consumption – with a major push toward solar power.
Massachusetts
Sixteen Housing authorities in Massachusetts are working with SunEdison to optimize solar power technology to lower costs. The power-purchase agreements involve net metering credits for solar photovoltaic arrays installed across the state. Housing authorities can purchase the solar power collected from these arrays without having to install rooftop solar resources on existing buildings, Green Tech Media reported.
St. Paul
The St. Paul Public Housing Authority in Minnesota has subscribed to a $40 million community solar garden project to be constructed just outside the Twin Cities. The housing authority will buy solar energy from a solar garden and offset 85 percent of the electrical consumption of 16 residential housing structures with more than 2,550 low income residents. The agreement is expected to save $183,000 annually, totaling more than $4 million in savings over the 25-year contract, Midwest Energy News reported.
Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Housing Commission is renovating many apartment complexes and making energy efficient upgrades to reduce waste and increase efficiency. The commission predicts at least 20 percent savings in energy consumption after the retrofitting is complete. The commission is installing solar panels on top of buildings, replacing energy appliances and upgrading all lighting fixtures. The project will help tenants save money on utility bills, as well as provide extra capital for other housing commission projects in the future, MLive reported.
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