The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey completed the installation of energy-efficient LED lights throughout One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the United States. The project began in April 2022.
Such lighting projects directly support BuildSmart 2025, a statewide energy efficiency program administered by NYPA aimed at reducing energy usage in state facilities by 11 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) by the end of 2025—the equivalent of removing nearly 500,000 cars from the road.
“As one of the nation’s most iconic buildings, One World Trade Center is a landmark in lower Manhattan and must be a part of New York’s energy-efficient future,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “By supporting lighting improvements in this world-renowned building, we will help reduce its carbon footprint, lower operating and maintenance costs, and ensure state-of-the-art energy efficiency at One World Trade Center for decades to come.”
More than 6,500 fluorescent light fixtures were replaced with energy-efficient LED lights as part of the nearly $3 million project at One World Trade Center, which opened in 2014. The upgrade will reduce the building’s annual carbon emissions by nearly 130 metric tons and save the Port Authority $64,000 each year in energy and maintenance costs. The new lights were installed in the tower’s corridors, stairwells, hallways, and mechanical equipment rooms. They have a 10-year life span and use 60% less energy than the previous lights.
“As part of the Port Authority’s comprehensive roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the agency is working to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of its buildings with energy efficiency initiatives like this one,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We will continue to identify and execute on opportunities to eliminate emissions and enhance our facilities.”
The project complements a 2021 NYPA-Port Authority announcement to install LED lighting inside the September 11 Memorial & Museum, which is located next to One World Trade Center.
NYPA support for both lighting projects stems from the Lower Manhattan Energy Independence Initiative, a $25 million fund established by New York State in 2006 to provide support to lower Manhattan with energy efficiency improvement projects in the area.
Harlem LED Project
NYPA also partnered with the Office of General Services (OGS) to replace nearly 1,700 lights in the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in the heart of Harlem with energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures. Installed in the building’s main lobby and non-office spaces, the new lights will feature intelligent zonal lighting controls, allowing greater efficiency and control.
The nearly $1.7 million upgrade will save OGS about $20,000 in annual operation and maintenance costs and reduce carbon emissions by more than 30 metric tons annually. Installation began in September 2022, and OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy said the project “marks another step in the transformation of our building portfolio.”
Indeed, this is just the latest energy efficiency project implemented by NYPA for OGS. Since December 2013, NYPA has completed 26 projects totaling more than $75 million for the agency, reducing annual carbon emissions by nearly 12,000 metric tons. In total, the projects have saved OGS $4.5 million in annual energy and maintenance costs.
NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “By supporting our governmental customers in their decarbonization journeys, NYPA is helping to create a cleaner, more energy-efficient New York State.”