Municipalities, school districts, hospitals, businesses and colleges throughout the North Country have made energy-saving investments that are reducing energy costs by $644,740 annually, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority says.

NYSERDA’s commercial and industrial programs provided $595,222 in incentives to 73 businesses and institutions in St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Jefferson and Warren counties during the first six months of 2011.

The incentives helped fund the purchase and installation of high-performance lighting and controls, HVAC, high efficiency chillers and boilers, building management systems and various other energy efficiency measures.

SUNY Canton installed high-efficiency motors, variable frequency drives, lighting and lighting controls in Nevaldine Hall with the help of NYSERDA funding. The project will help reduce energy costs by approximately $25,000 annually and decrease electricity consumption by 158,000 kilowatt hours, says a press release from NYSERDA.

NYSERDA claims the resulting energy savings at the 73 project location in the North Country -- 4.2 million kilowatt hours -- is equivalent to the amount of electricity consumed by 600 single-family homes and will be realized by these entities every year for years to come.

NYSERDA is a one-stop shop for information on energy efficiency. Through public-private partnerships across the state, NYSERDA helps all energy consumers improve their bottom li

A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.