GSA Earns Rebate for Powering Down in Peak Periods

GSA’s Northeast and Caribbean Region is taking part in a public-private partnership that is allowing us to save energy and taxpayer dollars, while raising revenue to invest in sustainable projects in the region. Through the New York Independent System Operator’s Demand Response Program, we recently received a $79,000 rebate for reducing our strain on the local power grid.

Regional Administrator Denise Pease accepts rebate check for reducing power at GSA buildings

Last summer, 15 GSA buildings in our region were selected to participate in the Demand Response Program with New York, New Jersey, and the energy company NuEnergen, LLC. Through this program, large power users agree to cut back energy use and decrease the demand on the power grid during peak periods. When we reduce power, we are paid rebates from the energy company. This program eases the overall strain on local power grids and diminishes the potential risk of blackouts and brownouts.

GSA was able to save energy by shutting down non-essential lighting, cutting off some elevators, and by adjusting fans and chillers in our HVAC systems. Since joining this partnership, these buildings have saved 7,100KW of electricity; that’s enough to power nearly 10,000 homes. As the program continues and we enroll more buildings, GSA will receive additional rebate checks that will allow us to further our investments in energy reduction and water conservation projects throughout the region.

As President Obama stated in his State of the Union address last week, we need to double down on clean energy here at home and find an American energy strategy that is cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs. The Demand Response Program is allowing GSA to collect rebates and further our clean energy investments in this region and work to achieve the President’s blueprint for an economy that’s built to last.