Best practices in energy efficiency programs in the Northeast
KeySpan Energy Delivery's Economic Redevelopment Program
KeySpan Corporation is the fifth largest distributor of natural gas in the United States and the largest in the Northeast. The company operates regulated gas utilities in New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire that serve 2.6 million customers. KeySpan is also the largest electric generator in New York State, providing power to 1.1 million customers of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).
KeySpan’s Economic Redevelopment Program is among the many energy saving services the company offers. This innovative energy efficiency program for commercial customers helps reduce costs, and improve productivity and competitiveness.
Eligibility
KeySpan customers in Massachusetts, located within certain state designated economic target areas (ETAs), are eligible for the Economic Redevelopment energy efficiency program. Because there are no ETAs in New Hampshire, all projects in KeySpan’s New Hampshire territories are eligible to apply for the program. KeySpan aims to fund 20 economic redevelopment projects in Mass. and three in N.H. that demonstrate a strong economic and/or community impact. Funding is based on a combination of energy savings and project impact.
New Atlantic Development Corporation, a Boston-based real estate company, has partnered with KeySpan since 2002 to increase the energy efficiency of its properties through the Economic Redevelopment Program.
New Atlantic Development Corporation
New Atlantic Development specializes in the improvement of abandoned or foreclosed properties to create new housing for low to moderate income families and some special needs populations. New Atlantic Development seeks out projects that serve a compelling public purpose, be that the creation of high quality affordable housing, new space for artists and cultural activities, or the revitalization of a landmark building or distressed urban fabric.
New Atlantic Development has utilized the Economic Redevelopment Program for several Boston area projects including, Uphams Corner, Hibernian Hall, Columbia West Apartments, and most recently Art Block.
New Atlantic Development advocates for energy efficiency by challenging its architectural and construction partners to deliver energy efficient designs and installations. New Atlantic has demonstrated a dedication to identifying and incorporating energy efficient technologies and practices early in their design process and KeySpan has been engaged in the beginning stages of each project to ensure that energy efficiency opportunities are not overlooked.
Need for Energy Improvements
Energy efficient equipment and design specifications are incorporated into the plans for each New Atlantic Development project as a means of delivering innovative, high quality affordable housing to Boston residents. When selecting equipment and materials, New Atlantic considers the ease of use, operation and maintenance. Because the energy efficiency improvements made through KeySpan’s Economic Redevelopment Program target natural gas savings, residents and tenants of New Atlantic properties experience reduced heating and cooling expenses, which is particularly important in the creation of affordable housing.
The Economic Redevelopment Program works to keep energy efficiency measures in projects that often times are economically challenged. Keyspan has found that energy efficiency measures can be the first to be cut from project plans due the higher first costs of installation. Secondly, in projects with tight economics and in areas that are struggling for revitalization, the extra funding available through the program can be leveraged to obtain other funding and to move the project along.
Energy Efficiency Measures Implemented
KeySpan’s Economic Redevelopment Program has helped New Atlantic Development Corporation address energy efficiency improvements at a number of properties including Hibernian Hall in the Dudley Square district of Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood.
Hibernian Hall, originally an Irish social club and dance hall, had fallen into disrepair and unuse. The rehabilitation and clean up of this venue created an arts-oriented complex of retail, office, gallery, performance and gathering spaces in this historic structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hibernian Hall, Roxbury, Massachusetts (photo source: Roxbury Community Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall http://www.rcahh.org/)
As with most redevelopment projects, funding for Hibernian Hall was extremely tight. KeySpan’s Economic Redevelopment Program was able to help by bridging the gap between funding sources and keeping energy efficiency as a priority in the project. The installed energy saving measures will reduce the project’s energy consumption and operating expenses well into the future.
A combination of energy efficiency measures are incorporated throughout New Atlantic Development’s many projects to address systems efficiency as well building and systems interaction, including:
- High Efficiency Furnaces and Boilers: This equipment uses less energy to provide ideal heating comfort, saving money on energy bills.
- High Performance Windows: Energy efficient windows reduce heat loss and gains, keeping homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, thereby reducing energy consumption and lead to lower energy bills. These windows also reduce air leaks that bring in dirt and dust, resulting in improved indoor air quality.
- Heat Recovery Ventilators: Create more cost effective and energy efficient ventilation by reclaiming energy from airflows. This technology uses exchangers to heat or cool incoming fresh air, recapturing 60 to 80 percent of conditioned temperatures that would otherwise be lost.
- Increased Wall & Roof Insulation: Proper insulation eliminates energy waste caused by air leaks, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer
- Automatic Temperature Setbacks: Also known as programmable thermostats, these devices help save energy by allowing room temperatures to be automatically when occupants are away or asleep.
- Boiler Controls: Manages the operating time of a boiler system to reduce cost and improve flexibility.
- Thermostatic Radiator Valves: These adjustable values provide greater control over the heat generated by each radiator in a home.
Inside Hibernian Hall, Roxbury, Massachusetts (photo source: Roxbury Community Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall http://www.rcahh.org/)
Incentives
The Economic Redevelopment Program uses modeled first year therm savings to determine the total funding award. The customer must submit an application for the program with a description of the project, project schedule, other funding sources, potential energy savings and the community and economic impacts associated with the project. The application, in combination with site visits and conversations with the client, is used to help determine funding.
Hibernian Hall received a total award of $30,000, which was 2.46 times more than the project would have received through standard rebate programs. In total, for all of its projects, New Atlantic Development has received $149,063 in incentives.
Energy Savings
As a result of participation in KeySpan’s Economic Redevelopment Program, gas consumption at Hibernian Hall was reduced by an estimated 8,804 therms per year. Across all of New Atlantic’s projects, gas consumption has been reduced by 56,740 therms per year, equal to the annual heating needs of 55 homes.
Other Benefits
In addition to energy savings, efficiency upgrades at New Atlantic’s properties have created a better quality of life for residents. New Atlantic Development’s properties are comfortable and safe with improved indoor air quality.
Furthermore, the gas savings resulting from the installed energy saving measures have led to environmental benefits as well. New Atlantic’s energy efficiency projects have saved approximately 3,319 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere per year, the equivalent of removing 57 cars per year from the road.
KeySpan and New Atlantic Development Corporation were honored by NEEP through the Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency program launched in May at the 2006 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit. For more information, please visit the 2006 Summit Web site.
Interested in submitting a case study for NEEP Notes? Please contact Catherine Stanley for more information.
