For Immediate Release

Contacts:
Ken Colburn, (617) 259-2000
Glenn Goldstein, (631) 472-0011
Cindy Drucker, (617) 448-6466

Clean Air Communities Announces Additional $1.5 Million for Improved Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in New York City

New Request for Proposals Brings Anticipated CAC Contributions To Over $10 Million

June 18, 2003 (New York, NY) -- Initiated to bring clean air and energy efficiency projects to New York City's low-income communities and communities disproportionately affected by air pollution, Clean Air Communities -- a collaborative initiative of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Con Edison, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), and Northeast States Clean Air Foundation (NESCAF) -- today announced a new Request For Proposal (RFP) that will award an additional $1.5 million to improve air quality, increase energy efficiency, and advance environmental justice in New York City's neighborhoods.

With funding donated by Con Edison, Clean Air Communities (CAC) is a model program in which technical experts provide resources and knowledge transfer -- working in tandem with community groups, public agencies, and private enterprises -- to implement projects that provide tangible air quality and energy benefits to local neighborhoods across the City. CAC has already provided direct funding of $3.5 million to implement seven community-based clean air and energy efficiency projects in New York City, ranging from an advanced truck stop electrification installation at Hunts Point Cooperative Market to a commercial rooftop solar system at Greenpoint Manufacturing Development Corporation (GMDC) to an emissions reduction project for construction equipment at 7 World Trade Center and Battery Park City. Through matching funds, leveraged funding, and in-kind contributions from project partners, the $3.5 million in direct CAC funding has translated into over $7 million in value to date.

Kevin Burke, president and chief executive officer of Con Edison stated, "Through unique collaborations, CAC's initial investment will bring an estimated $10 million of air quality and energy efficiency projects to New York City's communities. In this regard, CAC clearly demonstrates the proven value of working in partnership to address clean air and energy challenges."

"Clean Air Communities translates promising ideas into actionable programs: resulting in measurable air quality and energy efficiency gains," added Ken Colburn, executive director of NESCAF which initiated Clean Air Communities. "CAC is a breath of fresh air in terms of achieving real air pollution reductions in neighborhoods where it is most needed."

The new RFP is available on the CAC web site: www.cleanaircommunities.org with an "Intent to Respond" letter due by July 3, 2003. All responses to the RFP, in the form of a full proposal, are due on August 15, 2003. CAC will work with community groups, where appropriate, to offer technical assistance, guidance, and resources to translate viable project concepts into full proposals. All proposals are peer reviewed to ensure meaningful air pollution reductions and/or energy savings. Projects funded by CAC will be based on environmental, technical and economic merit, the basis of the project's ability to educate the affected community, and the capability of each project partner to contribute toward project implementation. CAC seeks to help build coalitions and improve communications among diverse air quality stakeholders. With this in mind, each proposal is required to include a communications and outreach component.

Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) -- a nonprofit association of the air quality agencies of the eight Northeast states and sister-organization of NESCAF -- provides staff support and program administration for CAC. Since it is possible that CAC projects will generate pollution reduction credits that could create revenue for future New York City pollution reductions, CAC in collaboration with community-based organizations, will devote attention to issues related to emission trading. With this in mind, CAC will work with an Advisory Committee, consisting of interested community-based environmental organizations as well as representatives of academic institutions, philanthropic and financial entities, to explore emission reduction credit marketing of appropriate quantifiable reductions.

The complete RFP, CAC overview, CAC case studies of current projects and additional background information is available on the Clean Air Communities web site. Additional inquiries about the RFP should be directed to Glenn Goldstein, Clean Air Communities Program Director by calling (631) 472-0011 or via email to ggoldstein@nescaf.org.