News Articles
June 8, 2010 Protest in Yorktown Heights--50th Day of Gulf Oil Spill
Hi All,
Evening news: As I was about to step into the Town Hall this evening, armed with comments from GY (thank you!), I was told that the resolution in support of Hilltop Hanover was off the calendar- but for good reason. Apparently, there was a vote at County level last night and it was one vote short of unanimous in favor of keeping the farm. Hurray!
Oil Spill Protest : Today was the 50th day of the oil spill in the Gulf and GY joined 350.org, MoveOn, HuffingtonPostGreen with other protests across the nation to raise awareness, to show outrage, to stand with solidarity with the people in the Gulf, to recognise the disaster.
Brandishing signs and chanting, our small but vigorous group of protesters stood on the southwest corner of 35 and 118 from 7:00 pm to 8:20 pm. The pictures attached are from the start --but we added people as it went on. Ron and Olivia Buehl, Paul Moskowitz, Patty Peckham, Brendan Tully, Colby Kelly (from Chappaqua), Ann Mamsick (from Mahopac-hope the spelling is right) were the core group. Then two women (Babette's daughter Rebecca and friend Taylor ) saw us, joined us with their signs. Another of their friends and GY supporter, Patty, parked her bike and joined in. Then a musician,Arthur Jones, stopped to ask us questions and then picked up a sign and joined too! The Yorktown Examiner, and North County News took pictures. Someone shot some video with audio and is planning on putting it up on youtube! Apologies if I have not mentioned anyone!
We got a great response from the passing cars--Honk to show Solidarity with people in the Gulf--Honk to save the ocean--Honk if you're Outraged--Let'm hear you in Louisiana--Honk to stop the Oil and so on. The demographics of the people who "thumbs up" 'd us or honked in support were wide--- older men in pick up trucks, suburban moms in SUV's , business men in small sporty cars, young women, teenagers in any car-----all honked and smiled and showed support. A bee-line bus driver, a UPS man, a man with "Fisherman" on a T-shirt, all ages, all races. all economic brackets (if one judges by vehicle). Some drivers refused to look at us, however and one person showed us a rude gesture (not to be stereotypical, but he did have a confederate flag sticker on his car), but all in all the majority of the cars--and there were a lot of them---showed support and plenty of enthusiasm. We even had one group of passengers applaud us!
Thanks to all who came and participated. Patty Peckham
Evening news: As I was about to step into the Town Hall this evening, armed with comments from GY (thank you!), I was told that the resolution in support of Hilltop Hanover was off the calendar- but for good reason. Apparently, there was a vote at County level last night and it was one vote short of unanimous in favor of keeping the farm. Hurray!
Oil Spill Protest : Today was the 50th day of the oil spill in the Gulf and GY joined 350.org, MoveOn, HuffingtonPostGreen with other protests across the nation to raise awareness, to show outrage, to stand with solidarity with the people in the Gulf, to recognise the disaster.
Brandishing signs and chanting, our small but vigorous group of protesters stood on the southwest corner of 35 and 118 from 7:00 pm to 8:20 pm. The pictures attached are from the start --but we added people as it went on. Ron and Olivia Buehl, Paul Moskowitz, Patty Peckham, Brendan Tully, Colby Kelly (from Chappaqua), Ann Mamsick (from Mahopac-hope the spelling is right) were the core group. Then two women (Babette's daughter Rebecca and friend Taylor ) saw us, joined us with their signs. Another of their friends and GY supporter, Patty, parked her bike and joined in. Then a musician,Arthur Jones, stopped to ask us questions and then picked up a sign and joined too! The Yorktown Examiner, and North County News took pictures. Someone shot some video with audio and is planning on putting it up on youtube! Apologies if I have not mentioned anyone!
We got a great response from the passing cars--Honk to show Solidarity with people in the Gulf--Honk to save the ocean--Honk if you're Outraged--Let'm hear you in Louisiana--Honk to stop the Oil and so on. The demographics of the people who "thumbs up" 'd us or honked in support were wide--- older men in pick up trucks, suburban moms in SUV's , business men in small sporty cars, young women, teenagers in any car-----all honked and smiled and showed support. A bee-line bus driver, a UPS man, a man with "Fisherman" on a T-shirt, all ages, all races. all economic brackets (if one judges by vehicle). Some drivers refused to look at us, however and one person showed us a rude gesture (not to be stereotypical, but he did have a confederate flag sticker on his car), but all in all the majority of the cars--and there were a lot of them---showed support and plenty of enthusiasm. We even had one group of passengers applaud us!
Thanks to all who came and participated. Patty Peckham
March 10th GreenYorktown Café’ Presents
Water Security: Local and Global Threats to Our Water
Climate destabilization, economic development pressures, natural gas drilling all serve to threaten our essential resource- clean water, without which we cannot survive.
Three experts take a global and local look at the state of our water today. Join GreenYorktown at Yorktown Town Hall March 10th 7:30 pm for a fascinating, informative evening.
Andrew Hudson, Cluster Leader, UNDP Water Governance Programme, will speak on the state of water throughout the world. He is an expert on global water issues including the impact of diminishing clean water supplies on health, development, and education. He will also talk about what the United Nations is doing to solve these problems.
Susan Leifer, the conservation co-chair of the Sierra Club Lower Hudson Group, has been an activist for NYS water issues for eight years. She will speak about the threats to NYS water supply, particularly the threat from the proposed natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. With natural gas becoming an important fuel source, the pressure to drill is increasing—but so is the impact on our natural resources. “Water is so much more than just to drink,” states Ms. Leifer, “ and the long term threat to our water supply is not balanced by the short term gain of natural gas. Water is essential to the life of our community.”
Jim Nordgren of the Bedford Audoban is our third panelist on water. He will explain the need for strong local regulation as development pressures threaten our water. He will also speak about how protecting our natural buffers maintain clean water and save our communities millions of dollars.
Please come join us and learn more about this topic!
PLANNING AHEAD: OIL SUPPLY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
GreenYorktown Café is pleased to offer an evening of coffee and conversation with Sally Odland, Division Administrator at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and John Bell of TransitionWestchester. The topic of discussion is the eventuality of the depletion of global fossil fuel supplies and how our society can prepare for this. With oil so deeply embedded in our way of life from transportation and food production to consumer products, the end the age of cheap oil will have a severe impact on the lifestyles we have become accustomed to.
Sally Odland, a geologist, is an expert in global oil supply and views fossil fuels as much more than the flip-side of carbon emissions. In fact, she sees energy – and in particular, oil - as the life-blood of our current economy and lifestyle. Changes in its availability are thus a critical strategic management issue for individuals, businesses, community-members and citizens.
John Bell has started TransitionWestchester which is part of the global Transition movement. The Transition approach empowers communities to squarely face the challenges of peak oil and climate change, and to unleash the collective genius of their own people to find the answers to this momentous question:
For all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how are we going to drastically reduce carbon emissions (in response to climate change), significantly rebuild resilience (in response to peak oil), and greatly strengthen our local economy (in response to economic instability)?
POSTPONED DUE TO SNOW: will be held THURSDAY FEB 11.. SALLY ODLAND TO SPEAK; JOHN BELL WILL BE RESCHEDULED
Please join us (bring your friends and neighbors!) at Yorktown Town Hall February 11, 2010 7:30 pm. Following the Q & A, GreenYorktown welcomes all to stay for a few minutes and take action- join our letter writing campaign to our Senators.
YORKTOWN TREE ORDINANCE: FAQ'S FOR THE TREE PRESERVTION ORDINANCE ARE BELOW:
As of August 17,The Town Board has reviewed the Tree Ordinance and rereviewed the Tree Ordinance and still has not brought it to a vote. Below is a letter to he NCN from the Tree Committee with a brief explanation of the Ordinance. The complete ordinance my be found on the town website.Below that is a FAQ forthe Tree Preservation Ordinance.
A link to the ordinance is on the Town Clerk's page on the Town web site:
Unfortunately, it's not the latest version of the law but it's close enough to get the idea (subsequent changes are mostly minor). We will update this as the newest version comes available.
Please show your support by signing this petition which will be sent to the Town Council and Supervisor Don Peters. (Near the "sign" button, it asks you to log out if you are not Patricia-follow the prompts and thanks) Thanks.
YOUTUBE VIDEO OF FAQ'S WITH TREE HUGGING! please go to youtube.com and search "yorktown tree"
or use this URL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KqKKWWwDOM
MORE FAQ'S AFTER THIS LETTER.
Yorktown Tree Conservation Advisory Commission
July 23, 2009
North County News
1520 Front Street
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
To the Editor:
Yorktown’s trees and woodlands are part of what makes our town a beautiful place. The purpose of the proposed tree preservation ordinance is to preserve these community assets, which do so much to add to the quality of life. Healthy trees offer a natural barrier to noise, prevent soil erosion and flooding, absorb air pollution, provide habitat for wildlife and enhance property values.
While the intent of the proposed law is to preserve trees and limit clearcutting, the rights of the property owner are preserved. Dead or hazardous trees may be removed without a permit. Small trees, that is, those less than 8 inches in diameter, are not covered by the law. Depending on lot size, a certain number of trees between 8 and 18 inches in diameter may be removed without a permit. For example, on a three-quarter acre lot, up to three trees may be removed each year. In the narrow perimeter surrounding each lot, up to two trees between 8 and 18 inches in diameter may be removed without a permit. To minimize the impact on property owners, the Town Board has indicated that it supports no-fee permits.
This law is based on similar statutes in our neighboring towns and villages. All towns and villages in northern Westchester other than Yorktown have tree preservation ordinances. These laws have worked well and serve as important tools for environmental protection. Adopting a tree preservation law will help Yorktown live up to its motto, “Progress with Preservation.”
The Members of the Yorktown Tree Conservation Advisory Commission:
Ron Buehl
Michael Cook
William Kellner
Richard Knapp
Dale Saltzman
Keith Schepart
YOUTUBE VIDEO OF FAQ'S WITH TREE HUGGING! please go to youtube.com and search "yorktown tree"
or use this URL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KqKKWWwDOM
{Sept. 7, 2009}
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Yorktown’s Proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance
On November 1, 2005, the Town of Yorktown authorized the creation of the Tree Conservation Advisory Commission. Its mission included developing a practical tree ordinance for our town. Yorktown now seeks to join its northern Westchester and Putnam neighbors by adopting its own tree preservation law. The goal of these FAQs is to explain how the law will work and help to protect the Yorktown we love.
Q. Why do we need such an ordinance?
A. Many examples of improper cutting of trees have resulted in damage to adjacent properties and the environment, making it clear that Yorktown needs a tree ordinance. It would augment existing Town Codes that serve to ensure our town’s clean air, pure drinking water and beautiful neighborhoods.
Q. What would be the fee to apply for a permit to remove trees?
A. The Town Board has indicated that it would support fee-free permits.
Q. Which towns in Westchester County have a tree law similar to the proposed ordinance?
A. All the towns and villages in northern and central Westchester other than Yorktown have tree preservation ordinances. The proposed Yorktown ordinance “borrows” provisions from tree ordinances in Cortlandt, Somers, New Castle, and Bedford (as well as Putnam Valley in Putnam County) that we thought would work best in Yorktown.
Q. Why should I be told what trees I can and can't take down on my own property?
A. First, this ordinance does not state that you can’t take down any trees, only that you must apply for a permit in certain cases. Small trees (under 8" diameter at a height of 4.5 feet) are not covered by the law. This means that you can remove them in any number without a permit. Many other exemptions also allow you to remove trees without having to apply for a permit. Secondly, to quote the ordinance, “The Town Board finds that healthy trees stabilize the soil and control water pollution by preventing soil erosion and flooding, absorb air pollution, provide oxygen, . . . have an intrinsic aesthetic quality, offer a natural barrier to noise and a natural habitat for wildlife.”
Q. What is a specimen tree?
A. A specimen tree is any tree with a diameter of 18” or more. Removal of such a tree requires a permit.
Q. Why wouldn’t we be allowed to remove trees from property with more than 15 degrees of incline? Wouldn’t this impact many properties here in Yorktown?
A. Fifteen degrees of incline constitutes a “steep slope.” Improper cutting of trees in such areas has caused significant erosion and severe damage to adjacent properties and streams. Steep-slope laws are a standard part of most Town Codes and it is in the interest of all town residents that there be some controls on steep slopes. The law does not say no removals—only that the property owner need obtain a permit for removal of any tree of 8” diameter or more on a steep slope.
Q. If an inspector says that a tree cannot be removed and the tree subsequently hits my house in a storm, who is liable?
A. In most cases the town would likely approve the removal of the tree. Again, if you want to remove just one tree, no permit is required unless the tree is a specimen tree (over 18" in diameter). In an emergency situation or hazardous situation, you could remove the tree without applying for a permit.
Q. If a tree inspector is injured while on my property, who is liable? If the town were, why would we want to subject the town to further liability?
A. Inspectors for the town routinely visit to residents' properties for wetlands, electrical, plumbing and building inspections. Injuries are rare and unlikely to be a liability issue. Moreover, in many cases, possibly the majority, permits could be granted based on information in the application without requiring an inspection.
Q. Why does the tree ordinance discriminate against owners of large tracts of land, limiting them to removal of the same number of trees as the owner of a half-acre lot?
A. It doesn’t. Owners of larger properties may remove more trees without obtaining a permit than those with smaller properties. Further, owners of very large properties who conduct logging operations approved by the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation or the U.S. Forestry Service, as well as land clearing under plans approved by the Watershed Agricultural Council, would not need to obtain tree removal permits under the proposed tree ordinance.
Q. If I just want to cut down a couple of trees, why should I have to provide a tax map designation of my property, plans of my home and drawings of the surrounding area showing wetlands and so forth?
A. The majority of permits would not require professional consultation or detailed plans. In most cases, a simple description of the tree(s) to be cut with a sketch would probably suffice. Only more extensive cutting, such as in land development, would require more details and documents. The individual homeowner should be able to easily handle the permit application.
Q. How would the average person know the species of trees he/she wants to cut down?
A. Almost all the local tree ordinances in other Westchester County towns and villages require information on the species of tree(s) on the permit application. The two arborists on the commission agree that this is essential information. Field guides available in public libraries and numerous web sites are among free resources to help determine species. Note that a list of invasive tree species will be compiled under the law. Trees on this list may be removed without a permit.
Q. Why is it necessary to have escrow and security fees in the proposed law?
A. This would not be a factor in the majority of homeowner permits. This part of the law is similar to other sections of the Town Code, which the Town needs to cover potential costs in cases of extensive cutting (such as land development) or in cases of serious violations of the law. Most permit applicants would not be affected and would not be required to post security or escrow.
Q. The law has a fine of $250 per tree and $25 or $50 (depending on width of tree) per inch plus a $1,500 civil penalty. So for a first offense of cutting down one tree, a homeowner might pay close to $2,000. Isn’t this excessive? And what if a homeowner refuses to pay such a fee?
A. Such a "worst case" scenario is unlikely to be imposed on a first-time violation. The Town needs the ability to impose significant fines in the case of severe violations. Other sections of the Town Code (on wetlands, building maintenance and burglar alarms, for example) impose similar penalties. If fines are minimal, some people will cut the trees down and happily pay the fines. Although more serious penalties are rarely, imposed, they do increase compliance with the law. When a court imposes a fine for a traffic violation such as speeding or any other violation, payment is not optional.
Q. Once this ordinance becomes law, how will Yorktown citizens know the proper procedure if they wish to remove trees from their property? Will all local tree companies be made privy to the law and will they be held accountable if they remove trees without the proper permit?
A. Public education is critical. The Town plans to produce brochures summing up the ordinance and post information on the Town web site. Another possibility is to add a brochure to the town recycling schedule and give it to real-estate agents, tree-care companies, arborists and others who deal with property maintenance. As in the other towns and villages, these groups will be important partners in making the law a success.
Q. Once the ordinance is passed, will an existing department of the Town Government implement and enforce it? Or will it require the creation of a whole department to handle inspections, permitting and fines and the various follow up?
A. The Engineering Department will handle the majority of permits. If a permit for a larger project were already under the auspices of another town board (such as the Planning Board), it would also handle the tree-removal permit as part of the original application.
June 19 2009 Yorktown High School Students Present:
GreenYorktown is hosting a special event this Friday June 19th at Yorktown Town Hall 7:30 pm. Award winning Yorktown High School students will present their science research with questions and discussion to follow. We are excited to have the opportunity to showcase these young talented science students and their work. Please join us for an informative evening and find out about this great science opportunity in our schools.All are welcome!
Synopsis of Research:
Student :J.J. Luceno,
Mentor: Bill Mebane, Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA
Topic: Sustainable Aquaculture:Maximizing Duckweed Protein Content Through Fertilization
Duckweed has a potential to be an inexpensive component of plant-based feeds for fish in low-resource aquaculture due to the expense and controversy of commercial feeds. This research explored methods to maximize the protein composition of duckweed through sustainable practices.
Awards:1st Place Environmental Science White Plains Invitational, 1st Place Plant Sci. WESEF (2008), 2nd Place Plant Sci. WESEF (2009), Representative at the Intel ISEF (2008), 3rd Place Environmental Science Tri-County Science Fair, 1st Place Developmental Biology JSHS, JSHS National Finalist, 3rd Place Environmental Science National JSHS, Intel Science and Talent Search National Semi-Finalist
Student: Michael Cerabona,
Mentor: Dr. Oki Gunawan- IBM at T.J. Watson research center.
The effects of Solar Tracking Systems on Solar Cell efficiencies
Solar cells are currently a growing industry in the world due to the increasing costs of fossil fuels such as oil. A common problem with the solar cells is that their energy output is far less than it could potentially be. In fact, common solar cells output less than half of their potential. This research will focus on using solar cell tracking systems to increase the efficiency of solar cells.
Student: Amanda Cesario,
Mentor: J.J. Luceno of Yorktown High School Science Research Program
Plant-aided Water Purification for Developing Countries
Waterborne diseases are a daily threat in developing countries throughout the world. My research will focus on what types of plants can clean and filter out bacteria and disease from contaminated water naturally. . It is my hope that the filtering plants can eliminate disease and bacteria from the contaminated water efficiently.
Student: Kathryn Keane
Mentor: Working with various local farms
Difference in Dog Food Diets Compared to the Biogas Created
Anaerobic digestion has been used in the early agricultural parts of the world for hundreds of years Anaerobic digesters are being used on farms around the world because it disposes of waste and creates a biogas. With this research I hope to further the exploration of anaerobic digesters as a possible energy source in urban and suburban areas.
Synopsis of Research:
Student :J.J. Luceno,
Mentor: Bill Mebane, Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA
Topic: Sustainable Aquaculture:Maximizing Duckweed Protein Content Through Fertilization
Duckweed has a potential to be an inexpensive component of plant-based feeds for fish in low-resource aquaculture due to the expense and controversy of commercial feeds. This research explored methods to maximize the protein composition of duckweed through sustainable practices.
Awards:1st Place Environmental Science White Plains Invitational, 1st Place Plant Sci. WESEF (2008), 2nd Place Plant Sci. WESEF (2009), Representative at the Intel ISEF (2008), 3rd Place Environmental Science Tri-County Science Fair, 1st Place Developmental Biology JSHS, JSHS National Finalist, 3rd Place Environmental Science National JSHS, Intel Science and Talent Search National Semi-Finalist
Student: Michael Cerabona,
Mentor: Dr. Oki Gunawan- IBM at T.J. Watson research center.
The effects of Solar Tracking Systems on Solar Cell efficiencies
Solar cells are currently a growing industry in the world due to the increasing costs of fossil fuels such as oil. A common problem with the solar cells is that their energy output is far less than it could potentially be. In fact, common solar cells output less than half of their potential. This research will focus on using solar cell tracking systems to increase the efficiency of solar cells.
Student: Amanda Cesario,
Mentor: J.J. Luceno of Yorktown High School Science Research Program
Plant-aided Water Purification for Developing Countries
Waterborne diseases are a daily threat in developing countries throughout the world. My research will focus on what types of plants can clean and filter out bacteria and disease from contaminated water naturally. . It is my hope that the filtering plants can eliminate disease and bacteria from the contaminated water efficiently.
Student: Kathryn Keane
Mentor: Working with various local farms
Difference in Dog Food Diets Compared to the Biogas Created
Anaerobic digestion has been used in the early agricultural parts of the world for hundreds of years Anaerobic digesters are being used on farms around the world because it disposes of waste and creates a biogas. With this research I hope to further the exploration of anaerobic digesters as a possible energy source in urban and suburban areas.
GreenYorktown Café Winter Series:
GreenYorktown ‘s Winter Series presents its second free public event of 2009 on February 27th at Yorktown Town Hall at 7:30 pm. "Vanishing Wildlife and Habitat: The Impact of Global Climate Change”
Jo Anne Gorski, PhD, a renowned wildlife activist, will speak about how climate change is endangering our local wildlife. "If we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy America's wildlife and wild places, we must act now to ensure that they survive global warming.", states Dr. Gorski.
In the midst of many crises, we need to continue to work towards mitigating climate change. Climate change among other factors has already caused the loss and alteration of natural habitats forcing species to try to adapt. More than 80% of animal species have changed their behavior due to the climate crisis. Some species will be able to adapt, while others will not. There are predictions that if global warming continues unchecked, moose and sugar maples will disappear from New York and New England; brook trout habitat and fisheries will be lost to warming waters; New York’s major crops, such as hay, corn, and silage could dry out; changes in stream flow and precipitation will reduce available drinking water; and rising sea levels will cause flooding, loss of coastal wetlands, and erosion of beaches and roadways.
Dr. Gorski reminds us,” We have an opportunity and an obligation to act to mitigate this predicted extinction crisis. Learn about what is happening to our world and what we can do to help.”. All of us can make a difference and help to moderate this crisis and it is important to know that with knowledge and effort we can all be part of the solution. Come join your neighbors for coffee and conversation on Friday February 27th! Bring your friends and family, everyone is welcome. For more information, email us at greenyorktown@gmail.com
The first, on February 5th at Yorktown Town Hall at 7:30 pm is titled “Greening Your Home with the Low Carbon Diet- Simple Ways to Save Money and Energy”. This free workshop, run by Stephanie VonHirschberg and Linda Wade, will help the participants develop concrete steps to reduce their carbon footprint by becoming more energy efficient. Stephanie and Linda, along with five other neighbors, reduced the total carbon footprint of their group by 60,000lbs in eight weeks! The average US home will emit 50,000 lbs of CO2 per year. By following the Low Carbon Diet, each household can help make a difference and combined efforts of many households would help to slow climate change. Stop feeling overwhelmed by global crisis, empower yourself to be part of the solution, come to our workshop and learn how to help.
February 27 7:30 pm Yorktown Town Hall GreenYorktown presents the free presentation
“Vanishing Wildlife and Habitat:
The Impact of Global Climate Change”
by Jo Anne Gorski, Ph.D.,Wildlife Chair,Sierra Club, Lower Hudson Group for more information, email at greenyorktown@gmail.com
March 11 7:30 pm GreenYorktown presents a free forum on
"The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health" This important topic needs more attention as global climate change delivers local consequences.
Jocelyn Camacho , speaker
for more information email at greenyorktown@gmail.com
“Vanishing Wildlife and Habitat:
The Impact of Global Climate Change”
by Jo Anne Gorski, Ph.D.,Wildlife Chair,Sierra Club, Lower Hudson Group for more information, email at greenyorktown@gmail.com
March 11 7:30 pm GreenYorktown presents a free forum on
"The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health" This important topic needs more attention as global climate change delivers local consequences.
Jocelyn Camacho , speaker
for more information email at greenyorktown@gmail.com
Excerpted from:
North County News - October 1, 2008
Yorktown may reduce fees for green builders
By Anna Lillian Moser
The Yorktown Town Board may adopt legislation that would reduce
building permit fees by 50 percent for residents who install solar-
powered hot water systems or solar electric panels.
The proposed law was presented by Councilman Nick Bianco and will be
up for a public hearing on Oct. 22. Bianco devised the proposal with
the help of Green Yorktown co-chairman Jerry Robock, who had a solar
heating system installed in his own home recently.
Robock said the proposed 50 percent reduction in fees won’t cause
Yorktown homeowners to run out and install solar paneling, but
contends it does send a message that the government is being proactive
in trying to reduce the town’s carbon footprint.
“The fact that they’re taking this stand is a demonstration of their
willingness to help in whatever ways they can to help educate people
and offer them more opportunities to move in that direction,” Robock
said. “It brings attention to the issues.”
Robock’s two-panel hot water system cost $9,000, but with $4,375 in
state and federal credits, the cost came to $5,125. Robock admits
that’s a lot of money, but said that with his new solar energy system
he no longer uses 200 gallons of oil a year, which equals about $800
per year in savings.
There are also low interest bank loans available for residents who
want to make energy efficient improvements.
“It will pay for itself in five or six years and after that it’s
free,” Robock said. “So the payback is reasonable. It’s not free, it’s
not cheap and you do have to have some income to be able to be willing
to put up some money to pay for it up front.”
Robock also plans to install solar electric paneling in his home. The
system costs $36,000, but with rebates and tax credits, Robock will
spend a total of $13,000, saving $1,300 in annual electric bills. The
system could be paid off in 10 years time.
“The positive thing is that the price of energy has risen so much that
it makes these options even more interesting,” Robock said.
BE ENERGY SMART!
Home Energy Forum II: Choose Energy Efficiency:Sept 18, 2008
GreenYorktown welcomes you to Home Energy Forum II: Choose Energy Efficiency September 18, 7:30 pm,Yorktown Town Hall. With winter approaching and fuel costs rising, energy efficiency is the smart, economical choice to make. NYS programs are available to help homeowners with energy audits, planning and financial assistance.
NOTES FROM 9/18/08
Last Thursday evening at Town Hall, Elyssa Rothe did a great job chairing the panel of Larry Nissman and Hugo Salinas, Home Performance Contractors, Barbara Fireman, an Energy $mart Loan Fund officer from Westchester Federal Credit Union, and Jonathan Nettelfield, a Yorktown homeowner who has had an energy audit in his home.
Jonathan Nettelfield spoke about his experience with the energy audit program and felt it was “excellent”. He has implemented some of the recommendations of the audit, but found that one important benefit of the program was “really understanding and learning about my house”. His description of the audit was humorous and informative and was an important part of the panel.
Hugo Salinas and Larry Nissman spoke at length and answered many questions about the NYSERDA residential energy audit process. Energy audits range in price but start near $300.00 in our area and take several hours to do. The contractors who perform the audits are educated, trained and accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). The contractors look extensively at your home, investigating basements, attics, vents, heating and cooling systems and more. They have a “blower-door test” which pulls air out of the house to locate air leakage throughout the entire home. Solutions to energy loss run from very inexpensive fixes like caulking windows to higher priced improvements such as increasing insulation, new heating and air conditioning systems. Every house is different and every home’s solution to efficiency is different. The contractor comes back to the resident with a list of recommendations, costs, and energy/cost savings from each improvement. The homeowner can then choose how much or how little to improve their home based on these measures and the financial savings unique to them. The NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) residential energy audit program, called Home Performance with Energy Star, can be found in detail at www.getenergysmart.org.
A program called “EmPower New York” is designed specifically to a lower income population- in Westchester County 60% below median income of $81,000.00 annually. This program offers energy efficient improvements to your residence (homeowners or renters) for low cost and often free, including refrigerators and EnergyStar appliances in some cases. This program is available to homeowners and renters and can significantly reduce energy costs with little to no cost to the resident. Please go to www.getenergysmart.org for more information.
Barbara Fireman explained some of the loan programs available to homeowners who use these programs. There are a number of tiered financial programs which will give back money to the homeowner if these energy efficiency measures are implemented using BPI contractors. The specifics of the programs can be explained in more detail at the www.getenergysmart.org website or by speaking with one of the energy auditors.
Ms. Fireman explained that reduced loan rates are available for people using these energy efficiency programs to improve their homes. NYSERDA’s Energy $mart Loan Fund will buy down a loan rate from a participating lender by as much as 6 1/2%, so in some cases the loans are buyable for a 10 year 0-2% interest note. For example, a $30,000 job, for 10 yrs at 0% financing costs about $250.00 a month. The rates differ if you are a ConEd or a NYSEG customer. Con Ed offers a 6 1/2% pay down on smart energy loans; NYSEG offers 4%. The interest rate reduction for most of the state is up to 4.0% (400 basis points). Con Edison customers may be eligible to receive an interest rate reduction up to 6.5% (650 basis points) less than a Participating Lender's or Lessor's normal market rate. In many cases, the energy savings to your home can equal what the loan costs, so your energy “budget” is not increased in the short term and in the long term you will save money and improve the value of your home. There are eligibility requirements (although very broad), so please go to the website or call Elyssa for more information.
People in the audience shared their experiences with energy saving ideas. These included solar hot water heaters and a device called an outside differential or “reset control”. This is intended for people with baseboard hot water that have a single boiler for domestic hot water as well. These boilers often set the water temperature around 160 degrees but domestic hot water should never be above 120 degrees so the boiler uses energy to heat the water to 160 but it is then blended with cold water for domestic use. This device recognizes that the heating function of the boiler is not necessary in the summer time (outside air temperature) and is able to 'reset' the temperature lower, saving water and energy. Jerry offered to show anyone his home solar system- email him at greenyorktown@gmail.com to organize this.
One interesting fact found was that the tax assessment on a home cannot be increased due to renewable energy improvements (for example, solar, wind, geothermal, EnergyStar central air systems). Many remarked on the need for the town to make building permits for renewable energy improvements free or low cost. Jerry Robock reported that Yorkttown is investigating this issue and is contemplating reducing these permits by 50%. The lesson from this forum is to take advantage of the programs available and have an energysmart home, saving fuel, money and reducing GHG all at once.
Below you can find the contact information for the panelists involved. For more information you can go to the above mentioned website, or click this link: http://www.getenergysmart.org/Resources/FindPartnerDetails.aspx?co=41 to find BPI accredited contractors in Westchester.
(For more information on day to day savings on home energy, please visit the website greenyorktown.org and click on Our Home.)
Panelists :Home Energy II Choose Energy Efficiency:
- Barbara Fireman
Loan Officer
Westchester Federal Credit Union
177 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor
Greenburgh, New York 10607
Phone: (914)422-2555
Fax: (914)422-8066
barbara@westchesterfcu.org
Elyssa Rothe
Westchester/Bronx Energy $mart Communities Coordinator
Courtney Strong, Inc.
(914) 572-4236
rothe.elyssa@gmail.com
www.getenergysmart.org
New York Energy Conservation Co. Inc.
www.nyconservation.com
Hugo Salinas
sales@nyconservation.com
8 Valley Place
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: (914) 654-1937
Fax: (914) 654-0137
Phoenix Mechanical
www.phoenixny.com/homeenergy.html
Larry Nissman
lnissman@aol.com
17 Magnolia Drive
Rye Brook, NY 10573
Phone: (914) 690-1000
Fax: (914) 690-9089
“HUDSON WARMING: LOCAL IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE”
Weather affects us all daily, from simply deciding how to dress to worrying about how to survive severe storms.
As we hear more and more about climate change, as we watch natural disasters on TV, we may still feel somewhat removed from these events. However, the question that lurks is “ Is climate change occurring near me? Or is this merely weird weather?”
GreenYorktown, an environmental advocacy group, invites the public to join us for coffee and conversation on climate change nearby. On May 28th, 7:30 pm at Yorktown Town Hall, GreenYorktown Café will present an evening with Yorktown climatologist Jerry Thaler. Jerry Thaler, a retired Earth Science professor at Mercy and WCC, is the author of four books on weather and climate and has received two awards from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Thaler, a longtime Yorktown resident, has been tracking weather in our area for over forty years. He will speak about how his data has reflected changes in our local weather patterns as the atmospheric greenhouse gases have increased. Dr. Thaler will take questions after he speaks. Following this, GreenYorktown will have a short working meeting. All are welcome to stay and participate. We hope you will come and learn more about our community and its weather.
Dr. Thaler is the author of “The Weather History and Climate Guide to the Lower Hudson Valley”,
“Catskill Weather”, and “Adirondack Weather.”
GREENYORKTOWN CAFÉ PRESENTS:
An evening of fun, film and fellowship (for free!). Join us to watch the short film, “The True Cost of Food” on Wednesday April 30, 7:30 pm at the Yorktown Town Hall. This 15 minute animated video takes a light approach to explaining the hidden costs of mass-produced food and about alternatives that are kinder to the planet.
Linsay Cochran, naturalist and farmer, will speak briefly about local food markets and farms. Linsay teaches Green Living at Teatown Reservation and is Teatown’s ELLA Coordinator. Eileen Zidi, organic and micro-farmer will speak about low stress farming at home. We will open the floor to discussion on these topics for a few minutes.
GreenYorktown will then welcome the public to participate in our general meeting, with special reports on ongoing projects and planning for upcoming events. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Come and enjoy the evening- bring your family and friends, everyone is welcome. For more information, visit our website www.greenyorktown.org or email us at greenyorktown@gmail.com.
“RECYCLING SIMPLIFIED”-A GREENYORKTOWN CAFÉ EVENT!
GreenYorktown presents it’s fourth free public event on March 28th, 7:00pm at the Yorktown Town Hall in Yorktown Heights, NY. “Recycling Simplified” is a panel discussion designed to help our community understand the new Westchester County recycling mandate with experts from local governments, business, and schools.
The panelists are Ron Gatto, Westchester County’s Director of Environmental Security, Kim Angliss, Recycling Education Coordinator for Yorktown, IBM’s Daniel Chess PE – Environmental Engineer and Tim Sossa from Student’s for Environmental Action. Short presentations about recycling efforts in schools, businesses, our town, and the county will be followed by discussion with the audience.
Coffee and refreshments will be served in this café style event, so bring your friends and neighbors!
GreenYorktown, a group of Yorktown residents, seeks to promote awareness and empower us, household by household, building by building, to reduce harmful emissions, conserve energy, and help limit climate change. We can be reached at greenyorktown@gmail.com or to learn more about us, visit our website at greenyorktown.org.
PRESS RELEASE From GreenYorktown's TRANSPORTATION Cafe`
GreenYorktown presents “Greenwheeling:How to Save Gas, Help the Environment and Save Money,”a free, public forum at the Yorktown Town Hall on February 29th at 7:00 pm. An expert panel will discuss ways in which we can all reduce our impacts on the environment–and save money–by making better choices about how we drive, what kind of cars we drive, and alternatives to driving. With 13,000 households in Yorktown, many of which have multiple vehicles, our transportation choices affect the quality of the air we breathe and how much greenhouse gases we emit. The good news is that there are simple things we can do today to increase the mileage our cars get and reduce our driving.
Eric DiBartolo, Yorktown Superintendent of Highways, will present Yorktown’s plans to increase the fuel efficiency of the Town’s vehicles. Ken Cothren of Metropool, a joint program of the New York State and Connecticut Departments of Transportation, will explain the many incentives for employers and employees to use public transportation or participate in ride sharing and vanpooling.
Other panelist include Bob Froats of Yorktown Tire who will cover strategies for vehicle maintenance and driving that lead to significant increases in fuel efficiency. Bill Camastro and Mike Coats of Curry Toyota will discuss the various gas-saving hybrid technologies that are available today and what we can expect in the future. Jerry Robock of Community Biofuels will discuss clean-burning biofuels like biodiesel and E85 that can be used in the family car.
This is the third in GreenYorktown’s series of public forums. We are a grassroots environmental advocacy organization that believes Yorktown’s residents can make positive choices that will improve the quality of life in our community and preserve our environment. We are seeking to provide information to the public about the vast array of resources and services available to achieve these goals. Our fourth event will be on the Green Consumer and Recycling, March 28th at the Yorktown Town Hall. For more information email us at greenyorktown@gmail.com or visit our website www.greenyorktown.org.