Energy - Rochester, NY area
RochesterEnvironment.com
The prospect of Climate Change for our area looms large and the extent of change will most probably be influenced by where we get our energy in the future.
Find out about energy and how it relates to Rochester. Also, discover alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly. Rochester, because of its many schools of higher education, is becoming an innovative leader in developing many kinds of renewable energy sources.
Page Contents: Energy NewsLinks | Energy Discussions | Wind Power | Tips & Help on Conserving Energy | Energy Information | Official Energy sites | Green Energy News | Alternative Energy Information | Taking Action on Energy |
Could we be the new Green Leaders? Could our region
be leading the way to clean up Brownfields and creating sites
for renewable Energy?
Green Shoots from Brown Fields: Scientific American Uncle
Sam looks to eliminate the biggest hurdle to expanding renewable
energy--the need for suitable sites to place commercial-scale
wind and solar farms--by reusing hundreds of old mines,
landfills and industrial sites When the Bethlehem Steel mill in
Lackawanna, N.Y., finally shut its doors for good eight years
ago, it took away thousands of jobs and left behind a polluted
and unsightly mess. Science News, Articles and Information |
Scientific American
more...
SEARCH: Use search engine below to find anything posted since 1998.
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Energy Discussions
Over time we have had discussion on Energy issues concerning the Rochester, NY area. Click on the article and join in one of the discussions below at my blog Environmental Thoughts.
- If Your Grid Is Dirty If you are getting your power from a dirty electric grid, you are using dirty power. In other words, if your electric lamp is plugged into a system that is powered somewhere along your power line with a power generator that pollutes or emits greenhouse gases into our atmosphere (or otherwise harms our environment), your lamp is using dirty power. (Presently, we New Yorkers get 18% of our power from coal; 17% from hydroelectric, 1% wind, 1% biomass, 1% solar, 1% solid waste, 12% oil, 29% nuclear, and 22% natural gas.) more...
- Gassing the News A good example of how dysfunctional our present media is on our environment, specifically on natural gas drilling, can be made by a point-by-point comparison of National Public Radio’s (NPR) three-part series on natural gas and recent coverage by ProPublica on the same subject: more...
- Energy A Moral Iissue: As we turn on our lights, run our air conditioners, and charge our gadgets we do so mostly by burning coal. Coal pollutes and adds dramatically to manmade global warming. So, when we decide not to conserve electricity or not to allow a renewable energy source near our home, we condemn many to the hazards of mountain top removal. That wind turbine won’t be in our backyard, but that blasted mountain top which tailing will pollute that wants and disfigure the lands will be in somebody else’s backyard. Morally, though, we all live in the coal fields because we use the power of coal and won’t allow a better power source to run our lives. more...
- Sacrificing Beauty In their efforts to preserve the aesthetics of their community under the looming threat of renewable energy, the folks over at Cleveland’s city council may be ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater.’ In their haste to get in front of the potential problems a new energy infrastructure might entail, they maybe be crippling our ability to keep our way of life. OK, that’s a bit strong, but let me go on. Ostensibly, Cleveland city council wants to make sure that their new wind farms don’t become a ‘visual nuisance’ or ‘unsafe.’ They think, and I quote the reporter: “…civic beauty should not be sacrificed on the altar of sustainability.” (April 15, 2009) Cleveland proposes ordinance to regulate aesthetics and safety of wind turbines - Arts - Cleveland.com In truth, they may be merely trying to stop a form of energy they just don’t like. more...
- Our Generation’s Responsibility Tragically, our media has not brought to the forefront the importance of the new rage in gas drilling in New York State. And, the public doesn’t seem to care where they get their fossil fuels, just as long as fuel prices remain low. That’s too bad because this issue—natural gas drilling in the wide-spread Marcellus Shale—could have a big impact on our air, land, and water quality. more...
Tips and Help on Conserving Energy
There are several expert and dedicated websites for finding out how to save money and save the planet through energy conservation.
- Official Google Blog: Power to the people "Imagine how hard it would be to stick to a budget in a store with no prices. Well, that's pretty much how we buy electricity today. Your utility company sends you a bill at the end of the month with very few details. Most people don't know how much electricity their appliances use, where in the house they are wasting electricity, or how much the bill might go up during different seasons. But in a world where everyone had a detailed understanding of their home energy use, we could find all sorts of ways to save energy and lower electricity bills. In fact, studies show that access to home energy information results in savings between 5-15% on monthly electricity bills. It may not sound like much, but if half of America's households cut their energy demand by 10 percent, it would be the equivalent of taking eight million cars off the road. "
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance HEAP may help you pay for Electricity, Propane, Natural Gas, Wood, Oil, Kerosene, Coal, or any other heating fuel. HEAP is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement a household’s annual energy cost. HEAP also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat or heat related energy emergency. Additionally, HEAP offers a furnace repair and/or replacement benefit for households with inoperable heating equipment
- AskPSC - The Public Service Commission is responsible for the intake and resolution of consumer complaints involving New York's utilities (energy, telephone, cable and water) and competitive energy service companies operating in New York State.
- PROJECT-HOUSE.US Project H.O.U.S.E. is designed to be a comprehensive resource for anyone who is looking for information, motivation, organizations, etc. in regard to reducing our carbon footprint, saving money & energy, and sustaining a liveable planet. Please click on all the tabs to fully access the information and resources available to you on this site.
- Rochester Green Living Our goal is to help lower the environmental impact of the homes and lives of those living in the greater Rochester area. To reach that goal we provide workshops in sustainability, promote local green events, provide a free local resource in sustainable information, and create connections to other green organizations throughout New York. We hope we will be the first stop on your journey to a deeper understanding of sustainability.
- Energy Conservation Five Ways the Consumer Can Reduce Electricity Consumption, Reduce Electricity Bills and Reduce Harmful Air Emissions from Power Plants. --from HOME - OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREW M. CUOMO
- Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association The Renewable Energy Association is a non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes, and publicly demonstrates renewable energy technologies. National interest in safe sustainable energy technologies is growing daily. With utility restructuring occurring all over the country, the opportunity for customer choice of greener energy consumption has never been greater. Will your choice mean greener energy? The Renewable Energy Association invites you to explore that possibility and learn about the world of renewable energy.
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From Rochester Gas & Electric
check out:
RGE:
NewWind Energy: Yes! Sign Me Up for NewWind Energy®
Today! A small charge of $5 added to your monthly
electricity bill covers the expense of 200 kilowatt-hours of
wind energy being delivered to the New York power grid. Rest
assured RG&E will continue to deliver your electricity safely
and reliably. Nonresidential customers can call 1.877.RGE.WIND
(1.877.743.9463) for ordering information.
- Fuel Economy | US EPA Beginning with 2008 models, all fuel economy estimates based on new test methods, which EPA finalized in December 2006. The new methods better account for actual driving conditions that can lower fuel economy, such as high speed, aggressive driving, use of air conditioning, and cold temperature operation. The new estimates will give drivers a more accurate estimate of the fuel economy they are likely to achieve on the road. Because of the new methods, the estimates for most 2008 models will be lower than their 2007 counterparts. To aid consumers shopping for new cars, EPA has also redesigned the fuel economy window sticker posted on all new cars and light trucks to be easier to read and understand. --from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Take the Green Ribbon Pledge to conserve energy for a secure future. Join the people who have taken the pledge to conserve energy for a secure future! There are hundreds of things you can do every day to reduce energy consumption. And cutting down energy use is the most important thing you can do to secure our future from the negative effects of unreliable, unstable and environmentally damaging energy sources.
- Ask PSC Welcome to the NYS Public Service Commission's consumer information website. Contact us at Ask A Question below or visit the NYS Department of Public Service. Ask PSC: Utility services:
- CLEAN AIR AND ENERGY PROJECT Fighting Global Warming and Reducing Energy Costs Past energy policy choices have saddled New Yorkers with a whole host of problems. Power plants are the state’s largest source of industrial air pollution, causing global warming, mercury contamination and unhealthy air quality. Volatile energy markets and skyrocketing costs are hammering consumers --from NYPIRG
- Alliance to Save Energy - A coalition of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide. Lots of helpful tips, and true believers can sign up to have the "e-FFICIENCY NEWS" delivered to their e-mail boxes.
- Northeast Sustainable Energy Association The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the nations's leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of energy conservation and non-polluting, renewable energy technologies. We work to bring clean electricity, green transportation, and healthy, efficient buildings into everyday use in order to improve the environment, protect human health, and nurture local economies. For more than a quarter century, NESEA has facilitated and enhanced a network of professionals, practitioners, and other citizens in pursuit of responsible energy use. Our programs and activities focus on the northeastern United States (from Washington, DC to Maine).
Energy Information for the Rochester, NY area
Our area has energy options such as nuclear energy and natural gas and there are websites that offer information sources for them.
- RIT - The Sustainability Institute "The Sustainability Institute (TSI) at Rochester Institute of Technology is an exciting and wholly unique initiative. TSI will play a major role in enabling the transformation of global industrial enterprises into sustainable systems by undertaking comprehensive interdisciplinary initiatives in education, research, and technology transfer. Programs within the SI will take a holistic approach toward optimizing production and consumption systems by simultaneously addressing material flow, energy utilization, societal needs, ecological impacts, technology and policy factors, and the economics of sustainable business enterprises. Graduates of TSI will be prepared to effect meaningful change on a global scale."
- Cornell Cooperative Extension's Natural Gas Development Resource Center "The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Natural Gas Development Resource Center brings together information from a variety of sources, including academic research, industry analysis, local government officials and citizens. Our goal is to provide a space for dialogue and learning that will lead to informed decision making by all concerned parties."
- NRC: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to regulate civilian use of nuclear materials. NRC is headed by a five-member Commission. The NRC's mission is to regulate the Nation's civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment.
- US Nuclear Power Plant Addresses and WWW Sites This list identifies the owners and/or operating companies and Mapquest locations for US power plants. Maps are linked from plant names. Websites are linked from the company names.
Official Energy Resources for our area
Governmental role in our Energy equation is represented by various institutions.
- NYSERDA - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature. NYSERDA administers the New York Energy $martSM program, which is designed to support certain public benefit programs during the transition to a more competitive electricity market. Some 2,700 projects in more than 30 programs are funded by a charge on the electricity transmitted and distributed by the State's investor-owned utilities. The New York Energy $martSM program provides energy efficiency services, including those directed at the low-income sector, research and development, and environmental protection activities.
- Department of Energy - The Department of Energy's overarching mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.
New
York Energy $mart(SM) NYSERDA's residential programs
are programs that work - programs that help
homeowners and
renters reduce their energy costs; programs that help
multifamily building owners provide energy-efficient apartments
for their tenants; programs that reduce the impact homes have on the
environment; and programs that provide
training to
contractors on how to provide quality energy efficiency services
to their neighbors. Working with a select group of
contractors,
builders,
multifamily partners,
retailers, and
manufacturers, we have created a
statewide network of partners who offer energy efficiency
solutions that can help reduce your energy usage and costs. Find the
program that can help you become more energy efficient:
Owners of Existing Homes
Buyers of New Homes
Low and Moderate Income Homeowners and Renters
Renters
Owners and Managers of Existing Multifamily Buildings
Developers and Owners of Multifamily Buildings
Teachers & Students
Shoppers interested in Energy Efficient Products
Green Energy News
Find out what's happening on new developments in green energy from websites specifically focused on this area
- Green Energy News The first issue of the weekly Energies newsletter was published in 1996. Green Energy News incorporated the following year. The publication was developed to offer news and commentary in regards to clean, efficient and/or renewable energy in relation to business, technology, issues and policy. Green Energy News is geared to a wide audience ranging from consumers to industry professionals to the educational community to government officials.
Alternative Energy Information
Learn about the alternative energy ideas that may be coming to the Rochester, NY area
- American Solar Energy Society: The Solar Nonprofit Advancing Education, Research, Advocacy, News, and Insight Since 1954 Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Our mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. We advance education, research and policy. Leading for more than 50 years ASES leads national efforts to increase the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. We publish the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, organize and present the ASES National Solar Conference and lead the ASES National Solar Tour – the largest grassroots solar event in the world.
- BCSE - The Business Council for Sustainable Energy was created in 1992 by the business leaders from the energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural gas, independent power and electric utility industries and is also committed to economic growth through sustainable energy development.
- Welcome to the Renewable Fuels Association As the national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been working as the "Voice of the Ethanol Industry" since 1981 to secure a strong marketplace for ethanol. Ethanol is sold nationwide as a high-octane fuel that delivers improved vehicle performance while reducing emissions and improving air quality. By reducing foreign oil imports, ethanol creates American jobs and provides value-added markets to bolster agriculture and rural America. In the midst of record growth, the ethanol industry will continue to play a larger role in meeting our nation's energy needs.
- Genesee Region Clean Communities Genesee Region Clean Communities is a U. S. Department of Energy sponsored program designed to encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and their underlying support systems throughout the Greater Rochester area. Our organization is built on the premise that we can change our communities for the better through cooperation and voluntary partnerships, working to reduce our reliance on imported oil and improve air quality. Through GRCC, we develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction
Taking Action for Rochester-area energy solutions
Groups in the Rochester area who mission is advocacy for alternative and better energy conservation
- Dealing with Light Trespass Problems in New York State - SELENE of NY Light pollution is rapidly degrading the sky's quiet majesty and our nighttime environment. Excessive and misdirected outdoor illumination wastes precious energy, resources, and dollars; it increases power plant-generated air pollution, causes glare that blinds drivers and pedestrians, intrudes onto our property, and invades our privacy. SELENE's mission is to advocate for better lighting practices in NY State and to ensure the passage of the The Healthy, Safe, and Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting Act