Empire State Building Signs for 55 Million kWh of Renewable Energy

In putting the finishing touches on a major, multi-year $20-million sustainability initiative, the Empire State Building has signed on with Green Mountain Energy for a 100% renewable energy package, according to a statement from the energy company.

The 2.85 million square-foot office building will purchase 100% wind power in a two-year contract amounting to nearly 55 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy each year. The energy plan will avoid nearly 100 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year, and it establishes the Empire State Building as New York City’s largest commercial purchaser of 100% renewable energy by twofold. As well, it is GME’s biggest commercial purchase in company’s 13-year history.

The Empire State Building, a member of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership, will purchase renewable energy in the form of wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from NRG Energy, Green Mountain’s parent company. Based on EPA’s current rankings, the building is expected to rank No. 18 on EPA’s national Top 100% Green Power Purchaser List.

“Clean energy and our nearly 40 percent reduced consumption of watts and BTUs gives us a competitive advantage in attracting the best credit tenants at the best rents. Our program of innovation at the Empire State Building shows simple, replicable, non-proprietary steps for other landlords to follow to be more energy efficient, cleaner and greener,” said Anthony E. Malkin, president of Malkin Holdings in the statement.

Altogether, the Empire State Building’s $20 million energy retrofit project, primarily funded by energy and operational savings, is expected to reduce energy use by up to 38 percent, cut energy costs by $4.4 million annually, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 105,000 metric tons over the next 15 years according the building website.