Cornell Cooperative Extension is helping New Yorkers do more to reduce energy use in the state. Through a creative partnership between Cornell University and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Cornell Cooperative Extension has implemented the Consumer Education Program for Residential Energy Efficiency (CEPREE) in 43 counties and New York City.
CEPREE works to increase consumer awareness of the importance of energy efficiency and of programs available through New York Energy $mart to make single homes and multifamily buildings more energy efficient. Ongoing for five years, CEPREE has provided workshops to 815,788 New Yorkers on energy efficiency, and through media releases and public exhibits promoted energy efficiency to millions of consumers.
The U.S. residential sector is responsible for one-third of total energy consumption in the country. High energy costs, affecting the Northeast in general and New York State in particular, impact household budgets. On average, New Yorkers spend $1,724 annually on energy per household. Reducing this figure creates more household disposable income, which, in turn, spurs economic growth.
In addition, New York State imports 90 percent of the energy it consumes. Reducing this figure through increased energy efficiency will lead the state toward a more secure energy future with a decreased dependence on imported energy, protection of environmental resources, and increased economic development and job growth.
Information plays a significant role in helping New Yorkers to make informed decisions about energy consumption and conservation. Studies suggest that while consumers may recognize the Energy Star label on appliances and electronic products, they are largely unaware of what it means. Moreover, sensitivities to the short-term costs associated with energy efficient appliances or light bulbs, for example, or the risk-averse behaviors of builders, landlords, and consumers, tend to discourage New Yorkers from choosing more energy efficient products with long-term benefits.
The CCE-NYSERDA partnership has demonstrated that a coordinated statewide effort targeted to individuals, families, businesses, and communities can overcome these market barriers through creative educational efforts.
At the Fort Drum military base in Jefferson County, New York, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County educators worked with the Director of Mountain Community Homes, the agency that manages residential buildings at Fort Drum, to change 18,000 75-watt incandescent bulbs to 15-watt compact fluorescent bulbs. The change resulted in a 1.56 million kWh annual reduction in energy use and a 1.3 million pound annual carbon reduction.
In Essex County, sixth graders attended an Environmental Awareness Day demonstration last year that featured Cornell Cooperative Extension educational demonstrations and the innovative “energy bike,” a popular teaching tool from Cornell University’s Department of Design and Environmental Analysis that introduces riders to the principles of electricity. The bike compares the amount of energy needed to light an incandescent bulb compared to a compact fluorescent bulb.
The Consumer Education Program for Residential Energy Efficiency (CEPREE) is a joint program between the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University and the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).
CEPREE disseminates information through Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, who participate in regular in-service training from Cornell faculty and NYSERDA project officers. Training takes place on the Cornell campus and through distance learning via Cornell’s wide area network. The program continues to form partnerships with corporations, non-profit groups, and government agencies, and to replicate the initiative in other states for a more energy efficient residential sector.
For more information about the Consumer Education Program for Residential Energy Efficiency and New York Energy $mart, visit http://housing.cce.cornell.edu/nyserda.
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