The ReCharge NY (RNY) power program–
a statewide initiative to lower electricity
costs for key New York businesses–was
spotlighted recently by the New York Power
Authority, which administers the program,
and Hollingsworth & Vose, a RNY customer
in Washington County.
Hollingsworth & Vose in Greenwich is
among 48 business and nonprofit operations
in the Capital Region benefiting from the
program, which is directly linked to nearly
17,000 jobs in the area.
Hollingsworth & Vose, undertaking significant
infrastructure and equipment upgrades
at nearby specialty manufacturing facilities
in Easton and Greenwich, benefits from a
RNY allocation in direct support of 150 jobs,
state officials said. The low-cost power also
is helping to facilitate the manufacturer’s
investment in energy efficiency upgrades.
H&V is a supplier of technically advanced
engines, high-efficiency and liquid filtration
materials, battery separator materials and
industrial specialty paper. The company
operates manufacturing sites and research
centers in North America, Europe and Asia.
Its Washington County facilities include the
two specialty paper manufacturing plants
along with a research-and-development
operation.
Recently, H&V hosted representatives of
NYPA and local elected and economic development
officials at the company’s Easton
facility. Located along the Battenkill River,
it has been operating since 1956 and began
receiving RNY power in 2013, along with the
Greenwich facility.
“It’s great to see help for this company
knowing how important their success and the
jobs they provide are to families in Washington
County,” said state Sen. Betty Little. “I’ve
been pleased to support Governor Cuomo’s
ReCharge NY program, an important economic
development tool that brings together public and private investment to help build a better future in communities across upstate.
Proof positive is right here at this facility.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation
in 2011 to launch RNY and help businesses
and other enterprises lower their operating
costs and spur economic development.
The program provides lower-cost power
for businesses and not-for-profit organizations.
More than 384,000 jobs statewide are
linked to RNY. H&V is benefiting from more
than 2 megawatts (MW) of RNY power, for
significant savings on its utility bills, state
officials said.
(One MW is enough electricity to meet
the needs of between 800 to 1,000 typical
homes.)
“This program helps us stay competitive
and allows us to grow our business and invest
in our New York facilities,” said Val Hollingsworth,
president and CEO of Hollingsworth
& Vose.” Through this program, we are able
to use a sustainable and renewable energy
source, which is important to H&V and the
local community. We are pleased to be in partnership with NYPA on this hydroelectric
power allocation program.”
“The history of Hollingsworth & Vose is a
great American success story and New York
state is proud to claim a piece of that success
through the lower cost power that we’re
providing under ReCharge NY,” said John R.
Koelmel, NYPA chairman.
“The Power Authority is happy to be working
with Hollingsworth & Vose to help foster
economic development in this wonderful
community through low-cost electricity,”
said Gil C. Quiniones, president and chief
executive officer of the New York Power
Authority. “The company’s long history is a
testament to the forward-looking spirit of
its management and also makes it a great
fit for New York State’s creative programs to
bolster manufacturing and other businesses
and non-profits across the state.”
New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA) is
providing support to H&V for efficiency and
productivity improvements at its Greenwich
and Easton facilities. Upgrades to the company’s
paper manufacturing technology and
process heating systems have resulted in
improved operations and an overall reduction
in energy intensity.
“NYSERDA’s partnership with Hollingsworth
& Vose aligns with Governor Cuomo’s
call to make New York’s building stock more energy efficient, which will help businesses
reduce their energy consumption and provide
savings that can then be reinvested,”
said John B. Rhodes, president and CEO,
NYSERDA. “This project highlights how public-
private partnerships are scaling up New
York’s clean energy economy, creating jobs
and stimulating economic development.”
Half of the 910 MW of power available
under the RNY program is low-cost hydropower
from NYPA’s Niagara Power Project
and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt
Power Project, which are hydroelectric facilities
in Lewiston and Massena, respectively.
The remaining 455 MW under the program
is power secured by NYPA from wholesale
market sources.
“Hollingsworth & Vose is a valued manufacturing
business in our community,” said
Sara Idleman, supervisor, Town of Greenwich.
“We are thrilled that they have been
chosen by ReCharge NY to receive support for
capital improvements that will enable them
to lower their energy costs. We are fortunate
in the Greenwich-Easton area to be home to
many innovative and enterprising businesses
and manufacturers. Hollingsworth & Vose is a
major player in that dynamic. It is important
that the state and local governments and
the community support the businesses that
make our towns and villages great places to
live and work.”
Photo Courtesy Hollingsworth & Vose