ALBANY - Governor David Paterson Monday praised the work of State agencies that are cutting their energy needs and announced the Adirondack Park Agency will install photovoltaic solar equipment at its Ray Brook Headquarters. The solar panels will provide one third of the agency’s energy needs, a major reduction of its outside power consumption.

Paterson issued a Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Executive Order in April 2008 to promote policies within State agencies and authorities to reduce the consumption of materials and energy and reduce the potential impacts on public health and the environment. The APA was among the first to take action, with assistance from New York Power Authority and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The APA moved towards energy diversification at its June meeting by authorizing a permit for the installation of a photovoltaic solar system at its Ray Brook. The system will generate 54,000-kilowatt hours of electricity, representing approximately 30 percent of the APA’s annual energy requirements. The project will cut the APA’s annual energy budget allocation by $8,000 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is anticipated that the system will be operational by October, 2008.