Nice-Pak Unveils County’s Biggest Solar Power Array

Roof-top system among top 10 in New York State 

BY BILL DEMAREST

Paul Vanderheyden, VP, Operations, Nice-Pak, Todd Baldyga,  Assistant Director of Energy Efficiency, NYSERDA, Robert Julius,  Chairman and CEO, Nice-Pak, Zachary Julius, CEO, PDI
Paul Vanderheyden, VP, Operations, Nice-Pak, Todd Baldyga, Assistant Director of Energy Efficiency, NYSERDA, Robert Julius, Chairman and CEO, Nice-Pak, Zachary Julius, CEO, PDI

ORANGEBURG — The largest rooftop solar array in Rockland County was unveiled Monday during ceremonies at the home of Nice-Pak Products and its sister company, Professional Disposables International, the world’s leading producers of pre-moistened wipes.

The 855-kilowatt array is among the 10 largest rooftop solar power systems in New York State, according to Orange and Rockland Utilities. The system is expected to generate approximately one million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and supply about 15 percent of the building’s total electricity load.

The project received funding through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative.

Approximately 21 percent of all solar power installed in Rockland County is now being generated at the Nice-Pak and PDI shared facility, according to O&R. The companies estimate that the solar equipment will reduce the their environmental footprint by up to 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

Solar panels at Nice Pak
Solar panels at Nice-Pak

“We touch consumers of our products more than 100 billion times a year worldwide. With this extensive reach comes great responsibility,” said Robert Julius, chairman and CEO of Nice-Pak. “We are grateful for Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative, NYSERDA and other partners who are helping us meet the growing demand for wet wipe solutions through business practices that respect the environment.”

Monday’s ceremony marking completion of the solar array that was installed on the roof of its headquarters and manufacturing plant was timed by Nice-Pak an PDI to celebrate Earth Week.
“At PDI, we embrace the opportunity to improve outcomes for patients in healthcare and protect our surrounding communities at the same time,” said Zachary Julius, CEO of PDI. ”We believe in continually finding ways to work smarter, better and more efficiently to Be the Difference for those who rely on us.”
Nice-Pak and PDI will also receive an incentive for this project through the Federal Business Energy Investment Tax Credit.“Governor Cuomo’s NY Sun initiative is increasing the use of solar energy across the state by working with great partners like Nice-Pak and PDI to help them make investments in this terrific energy resource,” said John B. Rhodes, president and CEO, NYSERDA. “NY-Sun is one of many energy initiatives that will scale up the state’s clean energy economy while bringing affordable, reliable and resilient power to New Yorkers.”In addition to the solar array, Nice-Pak and PDI sustainability initiatives include zero landfill factories, high efficiency lighting, products made with plant-based fibers, minimization of packaging material, warehouse consolidation and consumer education about what wipe products can and cannot be flushed. Though these types of initiatives, the companies have met and exceeded their goals for improving energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, avoiding waste, reduced water use, and innovating to create more sustainable product components and formulations.

The solar array was designed and installed by Lighthouse Solar of New Paltz, New York. Lighthouse Solar was recently recognized by NYSERDA with its 2012/2013 Excellence in Quality Award.

O&R Vice President – Operations Francis Peverly told the dedication ceremonies that O&R was “very supportive of innovative technologies.” He said there are about 1,200 solar installations on the O&R electric system, generating about 20 megawatts of electricity.About 450 of those 1,200 installations are in Rockland County, he said.
Nice-Pak, founded in 1957, say it is the global leader in the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of premium quality branded and private label pre-moistened wipes. Nice-Pak is a global company with more than 2,500 associates and six plants with approximately 3 million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space in facilities around the world.
Headquartered in Orangeburg, Nice-Pak says it has a track record of introducing innovative products that help to improve people’s health and wellness through the consumer, healthcare and professional business channels. Brands for Nice-Pak include Nice ‘n Clean, Grime Boss, Sani-Hands and Wet-Nap.
PDI says it helps reduce preventable infections, control healthcare costs and, ultimately, save lives by delivering a broad range of evidence-based, market leading environmental hygiene and patient care solutions in the community and healthcare environments. PDI has three divisions, PDI ContractManufacturing, Sani Professional and PDI Healthcare.
The companies are located off Greenbush Road in Orangeburg.
Republished with permission: Nyack Free Press

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