As part of the statewide effort to reduce energy consumption, Yonkers is one of five cities to create a new energy master plan in partnership with the New York Power Authority.
Following a baseline assessment of how the city uses its energy, city officials plan to announce new goals and strategies this fall on how to reduce energy use and promote sustainability.
“Energy, water and waste disposal prices have increased dramatically in recent years,” said Brad Tito, Yonkers director of sustainability. “By improving our efficiency, we can improve the bottom line and drive economic development.”
Coordinated by the New York Power Authority, the five cities participating in the program will review their individual energy purchases, infrastructure, efficiency of buildings and transportation fleet. Besides Yonkers, the cities of Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse will participate in program.
In 2012, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo appointed the Power Authority to lead the Build Smart NY initiative, which aims to reduce the energy used in state facilities by 20 percent by 2020.
Since then, city officials have rallied to support the governor”™s order, but in some respects Yonkers has been already ahead of the curve, Tito said.
Since Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano took office in 2011, Tito said the city has instituted several energy efficiency improvements, ranging from new street lights to street cars. The city has already reduced its carbon footprint by 12 percent. But with more than 100 city-owned building producing a $12 million energy bill, Tito said the city recognized more work was needed.
“The city comes to this new plan with a lot already accomplished,” Tito said. “But if we”™re going to address the challenges we face, all levels of government and the private sector will need to collaborate. That”™s why this master plan is so important.”
Tito said the city has little control over what energy sources it can use, but it could make real adjustments in terms of how it uses energy. Currently, the master plan is at a very conceptual stage and any suggestion can be brought to the table, Tito said.
The hardest part of the plan, he said, will be compiling all the ways the city uses its energy and then analyzing where the greatest savings can be made.
The last time the city compiled data in a similar fashion was a few years ago. At that time, officials saw the greatest savings in reducing the size of the city”™s transportation fleet and purchasing more fuel efficient cars. Officials also pursued a measure to replace street lamp light bulbs with LED lights, which Tito said would save the city $18 million over 10 years.
Tito said the city planned to hold several public meetings to seek input on the plan as ideas and drafts are released. The Power Authority has also created a website seeking public input on ways to reduce consumption.
“If we want to drive economic development in a post-industrial era, we need to build healthy, attractive places,” Tito said. “That”™s the kind of city people are looking to live and work in.”