The New York Power Authority today (May 22) announced that it has started work to install a new chiller at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena in Batavia that will ensure the facility's continued operation as an ice rink for the upcoming season.
"The Power Authority's installation of a new chiller at the David M. McCarthy Ice Arena is an example of our work in delivering energy efficient solutions for our customers that enable community members to connect and thrive, on and off the ice," said New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. "NYPA is one of New York's few experts on refrigerants, and I am pleased to see us leverage our expertise to support a facility that means so much to the City of Batavia and its residents."
As part of the project, NYPA will replace the rink's existing refrigerant with a new carbon dioxide chiller. Carbon dioxide chillers are energy efficient, generate fewer emissions and operate reliably. NYPA also will replace associated coolers and pumps and add an additional heat exchanger. The project will be completed in September before the rink opens for seasonal use.
The nearly $2.7 million project is supported by a $1.2 million grant awarded to the city under New York State's Climate Smart Communities program, primarily administered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). NYPA is a sponsor of the program along with several of its sister state agencies. The project will employ the use of a natural refrigerant, carbon dioxide, to cool the facility and the ice in compliance with the stringent requirements for ultra-low carbon emissions under the Climate Smart Communities program.
"DEC applauds our partners at the New York Power Authority and the City of Batavia for utilizing the Climate Smart Communities Grant program to reduce emissions, particularly powerful greenhouse gas emissions often found in cooling and refrigeration equipment that is extremely harmful to the environment," said DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton. "This project helps to improve infrastructure of a cherished community asset, while providing a cleaner and greener alternative that improves local air quality. The new chiller at the David M. McCarthy Ice Arena is a shining example of on-the-ground efforts being made across the state to reduce pollution, ramp up renewable energy, and strengthen community resilience."
The David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena is a standard National Hockey League size rink that opened in 1978. The nearly 33,000 square-foot facility hosts youth, high school and adult programs. The arena is used year-round, but the ice rink is only in operation between September and March by city residents and other tenants.
"On behalf of the City of Batavia we are thankful to NYPA and their ongoing support of municipal energy efficiency projects," said Batavia City Manager Rachael J. Tabelski.
"The City and NYPA partnered up previously to successfully convert all city street lights to LED. For the ice rink chiller project the new chiller will use less electricity, less water in the chilling process, and retire the original 1970's refrigerant system. I am confident with NYPA assistance this project will be a success for the community and environment."
The Power Authority brings world-class expertise and deep local knowledge to designing, installing, commissioning and financing projects for energy efficiency, carbon reduction goals, resiliency and distributed energy. NYPA has worked on more than 2,100 projects, saving customers hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs and improving both energy resiliency and productivity.
The Climate Smart Communities Program is an interagency program jointly sponsored by DEC, NYPA, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Department of State, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Service, and Division of Homes and Community Renewal. The interagency program provides CSC certification and technical assistance, in addition to a grant funding component that is supported by the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the State's Environmental Protection Fund, which was increased to a record $425 million in the 2025-26 State Budget. Since the program's inception in 2016, DEC has awarded more than $87 million to municipalities in support of local climate mitigation and adaptation projects, including implementation projects that reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from refrigeration and cooling equipment and engineering feasibility studies for refrigerant management.
New York State has made energy efficiency a cornerstone of its energy policies. The Power Authority's efficiency program has plans to finance and implement more than $4 billion in energy efficiency measures throughout New York up through 2025 at state, local and municipal government facilities. The energy efficiency measures include heat pumps, new high efficiency boiler replacements, updated controls, heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades that will reduce natural gas consumption and related clean energy solutions.
See Photos of Batavia Ice Rink Project
