The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Nassau County have partnered up to lower energy costs through energy efficiency and clean energy projects, officials announced on Friday.
“This is an exciting beginning to a journey to make Nassau County more efficient and energy independent,” said Nassau County Edward Mangano. “It will save taxpayer dollars and help lower power plant emissions.”
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The first project will be to install an 80 kilowatt solar photovoltaic project at Nassau County Public Safety Center. The project, NYPA says, will lower greenhouse gas emissions by 46.8 tons or 93,548 pounds annually, diversify the county’s energy supply, and contribute to energy security.
NYPA also has agreed to provide an $812,000 grant in support of a partnership between Nassau County and the Power Authority for the installation of energy efficient lighting technology in county-owned traffic signals at more than 1,300 intersections located throughout the county.
Installation efforts should begin on the $8.75 million project early this summer and is expected to take eight to 12 months to complete, weather-permitting.
The installations are among the first in all of Nassau County as part of NYPA’s LED (light-emitting diode) Traffic Signal Program. Taxpayer savings for county residents—because of the lower electric use of the LED traffic signals—is estimated to be almost $1.1 million annually. The new signals are expected to last more than 10 years allowing for more efficient use of resources that will save on replacement, maintenance and disposal costs. Additionally, the LED modules are larger in diameter and much brighter than standard bulbs, which will improve driver and pedestrian safety.
