Comptroller's Office Earns Federal Energy Star Recognition
The Office of State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli yesterday received Energy Star recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck for DiNapoli's efforts to make his agency's headquarters more energy efficient.
"Our agency has saved energy, conserved water and increased recycling," DiNapoli said. "By increasing energy efficiency and earning the EPA's Energy Star for Buildings certification we have shown that improving environmental performance and reducing operating costs can go hand-in-hand. In these tough economic times, that's great news for taxpayers. We've set a model for other state government agencies to follow."
"Commercial buildings are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck. "EPA applauds the New York State's Comptroller's Office for conserving energy, reducing carbon emissions and saving tax dollars. I am confident that the example Comptroller DiNapoli has set will inspire others to save energy and protect the environment through the Energy Star program."
DiNapoli issued an Executive Order in 2007 establishing a Green Initiative for the Office of the State Comptroller. The order directs the agency to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner and incorporate long-range environmental planning in its daily agency operations.
DiNapoli today also issued a report detailing the progress his office has made on the Green Initiative.
DiNapoli has likewise directed his office to help other state agencies and local governments operate in a more environmentally sustainable manner. By operating more sustainably and efficiently, state government can protect the state's natural environment and reduce operating costs.
As trustee of the state pension fund, DiNapoli is also making investments in companies in the growing clean technology sector.
Among its accomplishments, the Office of the State Comptroller has:
- Reduced paper purchases by 23.5 percent since state fiscal year 2007-08;
- Reduced natural gas consumption by 64 percent compared with 2005 usage;
- Adopted green purchasing policies, including the purchase of green cleaning products and hybrid electric vehicles; and
- Cut water use at 110 State St. by 9.3 percent from 2006 levels.
"Comptroller DiNapoli deserves recognition for earning the EPA's Energy Star, the latest example of Tom DiNapoli's commitment to sustainability and environmental protection," said Rob Moore, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York. "From his time in the state Assembly to the Comptroller's office, Tom DiNapoli has looked for opportunities to make New York a better place to live. But that's not all. The Energy Star designation means the Comptroller is also saving taxpayers money by cutting the state's power bill."
"Once again, State Comptroller DiNapoli is leading by example, showing that simple measures to reduce energy use can yield substantial results," said Laura Haight, senior environmental associate for the New York Public Interest Research Group. "Conserving energy in state office buildings is not only good for the environment; it saves taxpayers' dollars."
The full report on DiNapoli's Green Initiative can be seen here: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/green/2011greeninitiativereport.pdf