The U.S. General Services Administration's Northeast and Caribbean Region recently received an initial rebate check for more than $79,000. This rebate reflects savings GSA earned by participating in the New York Independent System Operator's Demand Response Program, a local energy load shedding program.

The U.S. General Services Administration's Northeast and Caribbean Region recently received an initial rebate check for more than $79,000 from its energy curtailment services partner NuEnergen LLC of White Plains, N.Y. This rebate reflects savings GSA earned by participating in the New York Independent System Operator's Demand Response Program, a local energy load shedding program.

GSA has enrolled a number of its metro New York City and northern New Jersey federal properties in this program. The agency can reduce energy use at the enrolled buildings during high-demand periods to help reduce the strain on the electric power grid.

"This is a win-win on so many levels. Not only is GSA getting a return on energy costs, but we are also increasing our sustainability by reducing our carbon footprint and, at the same time helping the local area where our facilities are located to avoid blackouts," said GSA Northeast and Caribbean Regional Administrator Denise L. Pease."President Barack Obama has made improving our nation's sustainability a key goal of his administration and GSA is committed to supporting this goal through a variety of initiatives involving our building operations,supply services, and fleet management for the government."

Kevin Hamilton, CEO of NuEnergen added, "By being a part of the Demand Response Program within the NYISO and [Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland] systems, Region 2 of the General Services Administration has taken the lead in embracing an energy conservation strategy as well as providing stability for the electrical grid in times of need. It has been a pleasure to work alongside the professionals at the GSA and help them meet their long-term goals."

Beginning with the summer of 2011, the Northeast and Caribbean Region joined in a partnering effort with New York and New Jersey, along with NuEnergen, to implement an energy-conservation and electric-power-grid reliability program known as energy load curtailment, or demand response services. To date, 15 federal buildings have been enrolled or will be enrolled shortly for a curtailment commitment level of 7,100 kilowatts. This energy curtailment commitment level is equivalent to providing enough electricity to power 10,000 homes for six hours.

As the program continues and more buildings are enrolled, the region anticipates receiving additional rebate checks. Money returned to the government will create a revenue stream that GSA will be able to use to fund future energy and water saving projects that will further benefit the taxpayer and the environment.

By participating in this electric-power-grid reliability program, GSA is doing its part to help the local area avoid blackouts and reduce its carbon footprint.