ALBANY, NY,
May 24, 2011
(Press Release) -
As part of Governor Cuomo's commitment to help manufacturers reduce the cost of doing business by becoming more productive and energy-efficient, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided funding to help the Fort Edward-based Irving Tissue reduce its energy costs by $1.5 million annually.
More than $1.9 million in NYSERDA financial incentives helped Irving Tissue, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer paper products, install energy efficiency measures in new and existing manufacturing facilities. Measures include lighting, HVAC and new air compression, vacuum and storage systems, among others. Irving Tissue also partnered with its equipment vendor to incorporate energy efficiency into the design and operation of a new paper machine, which will significantly reduce energy costs and energy consumption.
The project provided for 485,000 person-hours of construction work to more than 1,300 contractors.
"I commend Irving Tissue for making innovative investments at its Fort Edward facility that will help to retain and create good-paying manufacturing jobs for New Yorkers while reducing the environmental impact of its operations," Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy said. "I am especially proud of the public-private partnership between Irving Tissue, NYSERDA and Empire State Development. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, these partnerships will be a fixture of our economic revitalization plan by decreasing the energy cost burden on our large and small businesses so that they can grow, compete in global markets and create jobs for New York's economy."
NYSERDA president and CEO Francis J. Murray Jr. said, "As Governor Cuomo has stated, cutting energy use is good for business and good for our environment. NYSERDA commends Irving Tissue for its work to reduce the energy use at its Fort Edward facility, and we stand ready to help businesses of all sizes benefit from smart investments that will provide strong returns for years to come."
"Irving Tissue is a great company for Washington County and New York State and this collaboration with NYSERDA makes them even better," said Senator Betty Little. "Improving efficiency and conserving energy is not only good for the environment, but also the bottom line. Money saved can be reinvested and that promotes prosperity and jobs. I'm looking forward to seeing even more progress here in the years ahead and know we can count on the continued support of Governor Cuomo, NYSERDA and Empire State Development."
"The NYSERDA mission of assisting New York companies to find ways to reduce their energy consumption is a perfect strategic fit with our core value of continuous improvements of our products and processes. This common purpose was the driving force behind the very successful energy consumption strategies implemented in our most recent project," said Robert K. Irving, President of Irving Tissue.
Empire State Development provided Irving Tissue with a $600,000 grant for the first phase of the company's expansion in November 2007, which included the demolition of older buildings, the construction of a new 120,000 square feet facility, and the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art Long Line Folding Machine in the building. This enabled Irving Tissue to increase tissue converting operations at the plant and retained 278 employees.
"We applaud Irving Tissue's long-term commitment to the Capital Region and Upstate New York," said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. "As Washington County's second largest employer, Irving Tissue's expansion project is critical to the local economy and to the company's ability to successfully compete in the paper and tissue manufacturing industry. We are pleased to have been able to help them grow and prosper over the years. In addition, NYSERDA's assistance in this second phase clearly demonstrates how our public/private partnerships are successful in retaining businesses in New York State."
NYSERDA incentives supported the purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment at the facility as well as the company's new green building. These investments will not only save energy but also improve productivity and lower operating costs at the Fort Edward plant.
The energy savings, approximately 16 million kilowatt hours annually, is equivalent to the annual amount of electricity consumed by nearly 2,320 single-family homes.
NYSERDA is the one-stop shop for credible, accessible information on energy efficiency and, through successful public-private partnerships across New York State, it plays an important economic development role, as it helps all energy consumers improve their bottom lines by reducing operating costs.
Since 2000, NYSERDA has supported 1,400 commercial and industrial energy efficiency projects in the Capital Region. These projects are realizing an estimated $21 million in energy cost savings annually and have reduced their electricity consumption by 190 million kilowatt hours-the equivalent to the annual amount of electricity consumed by more than 27,500 single-family homes. NYSERDA provided $24 million in funding for the projects.
Funding for Irving Tissue's energy efficiency and new building projects was provided through NYSERDA's Industrial and Process Efficiency and New Construction Programs. These programs provide more than $100 million in funding to energy efficiency projects with an emphasis on the manufacturing and data center sectors.
For decades, Irving Tissue has embraced sustainable business and land management practices that balance economic, environmental and social impacts into its decision making that will create long-term value to its host communities and customers. These practices have reduced the amount of materials used to create its products, reduced energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and supported environmental sustainability initiatives at each of its facilities.
Since acquiring the Fort Edward plant in 1996, Irving Tissue has grown the operation from 140 employees to a team of over 330.
For more information, visit http://www.nyserda.org/programs/Commercial_Industrial/.
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.
