Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Con Edison and National Grid Team Up to Help Small Businesses SAVE Money

New York State Senate Member
Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
15th District

District Office

159-53 102nd Street

Howard Beach, NY 11414

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Judy Close
718-738-1111

Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Con Edison and National Grid Team Up to Help Small Businesses SAVE Money


Queens, NY, April 20, 2010 – NYS Senator Joe Addabbo, joined by NYS Assemblyman Mike Miller and representatives from Con Edison and National Grid, gathered with business groups in Glendale on Thursday, April 15, to announce a joint initiative to educate small business owners on several energy conservation programs that will save a small business some big money.

“By helping small business access great programs already provided by Con Edison and National Grid, we are lowering energy costs and helping our local small businesses grow,” stated Senator Joe Addabbo. “By investing in our small businesses, we are helping to create more local jobs. Every dollar saved by these small businesses is another dollar that they can use to hire more staff or grow.”

Assemblyman Miller added, “This program helps our community by reducing the cost of running a business and by saving our environment. By fitting our businesses with energy efficient fixtures, we make it easier for businesses to pay their bills while leaving the planet a little cleaner for our children. It is our responsibility to make sure that all of the local businesses know about this program and use it to its full potential. This program keeps jobs in our community and leaves it a better place for our kids.”

“Like many of our customers, Con Edison is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. These programs save money for New Yorkers and enhance the environment,” said Rebecca Craft, Director of Energy Efficiency Programs at Con Edison.

“National Grid’s vision includes a commitment to safeguarding our global environment for future generations, a vision supported through the availability of customer energy efficiency programs and other initiatives, including helping our customers to use three percent less energy every year,” said Joe Rende, Vice President of Energy Solutions Delivery at National Grid. “In today’s economy, a lot of businesses are looking for ways to cut costs and our three percent less campaign gives them the power of action to do something for the environment, their company’s efficiency and improve their bottom line.”

Senator Joe Addabbo will host several events throughout the district for small business owners to learn about these programs. A representative from Con Edison and National Grid will be on hand to help business owners with the paperwork and answer any questions. The events will be held on:

Thursday, May 6, 7 - 9 PM
St. Mary Gate of Heaven
104-06 101 Avenue, Ozone Park

Thursday, May 13, 7 - 9 PM
Glendale Memorial
72-02 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale

Con Edison offers a program called, The Power of Green - Save Money, Save Energy, and Help the Environment. This program offers businesses with an average monthly peak demand of less than 100kw, free energy surveys; free energy conservation measures, such as CFL's (compact fluorescents) and water heater thermostats; and incentives up to 70% of installed cost for major heating, cooling and lighting upgrades.

An example of the cost savings through this program is:

Installed Value (Material and Labor)................$ 337.88
SBDI Pays......................................................... 247.21
Customer Pays................................................. $90.67
Annual kWh Savings......................................... 1,909.00
Annual Lighting Cost Savings....................... $286.42
Payback........................................................4 months

National Grid offers ways to reduce energy consumption through the company’s Three Percent Less campaign, www.powerofaction.com/efficiency. Using less is all about getting in the habit of making smart energy choices. National Grid’s efficiency programs help businesses improve performance and contribute to a greener environment. Combining the latest natural gas technologies with the most efficient energy resources, National Grid provides a variety of innovative options for businesses seeking to reduce operating costs and enhance the bottom line. Additionally, updating old, inefficient heating equipment with clean, high-efficiency gas equipment will allow businesses to enjoy the cost savings of a cleaner and more reliable fuel that will help businesses gain up to 30 percent efficiency, take advantage of customized rebates and incentives as well as low-cost financing options through participating contractors.

“We’re delighted that Senator Addabbo is taking the lead on an issue of such great importance to local small businesses,” says David Giles, research associate for the think tank, Center for an Urban Future, and author of the Center’s February 2010 report, Energizing New York’s Small Business. “Small businesses in western Queens and throughout New York City have so much to gain from becoming energy efficient. Small firms here pay double the costs for electricity than the national average, and prices will only continue to rise in the years ahead. But while even the smallest firms could save thousands of dollars by implementing efficiency measures, shockingly few small firms in the five boroughs have taken advantage of them. Clearly, more needs to be done to make it easier and more cost-effective for small businesses to participate in energy efficiency programs.”

Senator Addabbo added, “Small businesses were simply not taking advantage of these great opportunities to drastically reduce their energy costs. Through this joint initiative we will work with our local Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Districts and small business owners to increase the communities’ awareness of these programs, help businesses take advantage of these programs and save money,” stated Senator Addabbo.

“The Myrtle Avenue BID and Ridgewood Local Development Corporation thank Senator Addabbo for hosting this event to highlight Consolidated Edison’s small business energy efficiency program. We are already working with Con Edison, Willdan and FCI in getting the word out within the Myrtle Avenue BID about this program. To date, we have over 30 businesses that have expressed interest. We will continue to get the word out. We also want to acknowledge National Grid for supporting the Ridgewood LDC over the years,” said Theodore M. Renz, Executive Director of the Myrtle Avenue BID and Ridgewood LDC.

“I am very excited to take advantage of these new cost savings that Con Ed has helped me realize. In these tough times, it’s great to find any way I can save money,” said Fred Vaynman, owner of Delta Signs and Flag on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale.

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