Bloomberg makes a monumental donation to fight coal and empoyer youth!

New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg has made a bold move in the fight against climate change and the protection of public health. Bloomberg has given the Sierra Club $50 million for their Beyond Coal campaign, a donation that has the potential to drastically change our nation's energy future.

Beyond Coal is a grassroots campaign run by our nations youth to prevent the construction of new coal-fired power plants.  Beyond Coal has been instrumental in preventing more than 150 plants from being built.  Bloomberg’s donation has provided the group with a third of their proposed four-year budget and will allow the group to act on their next goal of shutting down a third of our country’s old coal-fired plants over the next ten years.  The donation is expected to create 100 full-time jobs with the campaign and increase the Sierra Club's active member/ supporter base by 1 million.

For more information visit http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/20110727/bloomberg-donates-million-shut-down-coal-plants.htm.

Ioxus opens new manufacturting plant in Oneonta

Ioxus Inc., the only manufacturer of ultracapacitors in the United States has opened a manufacturing plant in Oneonta. Ultracapacitors are similar to a battery in the sense that they store energy but charge in less than a minute and have a ten year life span. With the ability to charge quickly, ultracapacitors are employed to store renewable energy and have been used in hybrid vehicles to increase efficiency. When connected to alkaloid batteries ultra capacitors have been shown to match the performance of the more expensive, earth-taxing lithium-ion batteries.

The production of ultracapacitors is a labor intensive endeavor. The plant has created 30 new jobs in the region and expects to hire an additional 30-40 employees over the next year as production increases. The new plant is expected to increase productivity 5 fold, furthering its edge on foreign competition.

For more information visit http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Only-US-Ultracapacitor-Manufacturer-Opens-New-Oneonta-Facility-125990298.html.

Beacon Power's Flywheel Energy Storage Plant has reached full capacity!

With 200 flywheels spinning, Beacon Power's flywheel energy storage plant in Stephentown, New York has reached full capacity! Storing and returning a total of 20MW to the grid, the plant is the largest of its kind in North America and provides New York with 10% of its overall frequency regulation needs. The plant is a positive step towards meeting NYSERDA's ambitious goal of meeting 45% of the states electricity needs through energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Flywheel energy storage works by converting power from the grid to rotational energy by spinning carbon fiber flywheels at Mach 2 speeds, the energy is then transmitted back to the grid to buffer disturbances without burning fossil fuels.

For more information visit http://investors.beaconpower.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=587705.

Study shows Syracuse to be a national clean economy leader!

The Syracuse Region has been ranked 8th in the nation for having the highest concentration of private-sector clean jobs! The ranking comes from a recent report from the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program, titled "Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment". As the first comprehensive study of the metropolitan geography of our nation's clean economy, the findings publicize what has already been known in the region.


Syracuse is identified as having unique strengths in the indoor air quality, air/water purification systems, environmental remediation, environmental engineering, and green building materials segments. The study reports that the Syracuse Region has 10,000 jobs in the clean economy sector, 1,400 of which have been added over the past seven years. Such growth is attributed to the regions world-class colleges/universities, the Syracuse Center of Excellence, public support, incentives and CenterState CEO programs.

For more information visit http://www.centerstateceo.com/news/newsarticledisplay.aspx?ArticleID=100.

NYSERDA seeks proposals for sustainable public transportation

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has partnered with the New York State Department of Transportation to provide $1,500,000 for the advancement of livable communities through sustainable transportation. The organizations are seeking proposals to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of New York State's current multi-modal transport system.

Proposals are due September 7th, 2011 by 5pm.

To learn more about the solicitation visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2314pon.asp.

NYSERDA seeks proposals for innovative transportation products, systems and services

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has released a Program Opportunity Notice seeking proposals to support the development, demonstration and commercialization of innovative transportation products, systems and services.  Examples of such topics include, but are not limited to electric vehicles, alternative fuels, regenerative energy systems, engine/drivetrain efficiency improvements, bio-materials, emission control systems, traffic control/ congestion mitigation, and more efficient street lighting.  NYSERDA is rewarding a total of $3,500,000 to proposals touting the most energy, environmental and economic benefits.

Proposals are due September 8th, 2011 at 5pm.

For more information about the solicitation visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2271pon.asp.

Acciona Energy boasts high economic opportunities for the St. Lawrence Wind Farm

Acciona Energy, the developers of the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm in Cape Vincent, have released a report outlining the projects vast economic opportunities. The report comes after a Cape Vincent Wind Economic Impact Committee report claiming the project would negatively effect the local school district, tourism and property values. The 76.5 MW project is expected to pay $20 million in lease payments to landowners and $20 million in tax revenues. The project is expected to create 150 temporary jobs in its construction as well as 10 long-term positions.

Acciona Energy's report analyzes the economic benefits of other wind farms within the state and shows a drastic increase in property values as well as an increase household income. In addition to local sourcing of materials, Acciona Energy has promised to invest $143,000 to improve historic sites in Cape Vincent and Lyme, New York.

To learn more about the expected economic benefits of the project visit http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20110706/NEWS03/307069973/-1/news.

DEC releases report on hydraulic fracturing

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released an extensive report to Governor Cuomo outlining rules and regulations to lessen the risks of the controversial natural gas drilling technique, hydraulic fracturing. The 1,000 page report takes measures to avoid the contamination of groundwater commonly associated with the drilling method.

The report prohibits drilling 2,000 feet from public drinking water supplies and 500 feet from private water supplies. As the most profitable Marcellus shale deposits are located in the Catskill Mountains and Southern Tier the DEC has banned drilling in the New York City and Syracuse watersheds. The report also takes measures to regulate drilling practices, included adding another cement wall casing inside the hole and forcing drilling companies to disclose all chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.

Before issuing any permits to drill for natural gas, the Department of Environmental Conservation will open the report for a 60-day public comment period in August.

I invite you to read the report here and participate in the public comment period in the coming months.

DEC creates advisory panel to oversee hyrdaulic fracturing

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has formed an advisory panel to oversee hydraulic fracturing operations in New York. The 12-member panel will ensure that state agencies, including the DEC, are able to oversee, monitor and enforce high-volume hydraulic fracturing activities.  Composed of representatives from environmental and business interests, the panel will also evaluate fees and revenues.

For more information, including a full list of panel members visit http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/ny_creates_12-member_advisory.html.

Governor Cuomo refocuses on closing Indian Point

After victories with the state budget and gay marriage, Governor Cuomo is refocusing his attention on closing the Indian Point Nuclear plant in Buchanan, New York. The plant is located 38 miles north of New York City and sits on top of the Ramapo Fault line and is one mile south of the Stamford-Peekskill fault. The meltdown of Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant after the Tōhoku earthquake has elevated concerns about the health and safety of the 20 million New Yorkers who live within 50 square miles of the plant.

If closed, the state would face the challenge of replacing the 2,000 MW of electricity currently produced at Indian Point. The state sees the proposed 1,000 MW transmission line under the Hudson River from Canada as an opportunity to replace half the energy lost from the plants closure.

Governor Cuomo's initiative to shut down Indian Point will likely be a hard fight as The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have the majority of say regarding the plants operations. The Governor and a record number of concerned New Yorkers have been challenging the NRC in renewing the plants license to operate. If successful, Indian Point would be the first of its kind to be denied a 20-year license extension. With that said, the governor is far from powerless.  He is currently making Entergy Nuclear (the plant owners) build cooling towers to reduce their water consumption by 95%.

For more information click here.

New York City architectural design firm developes an innovative bicycle storage solution

New York City based Architectural design firm, MANIFESTO is in the process of developing a revolutionary bicycle storage system for the cities of Seoul and London. The storage system, named the Bike Hanger, is a suspended structure similar to a Ferris-wheel that is attached the side of a building. Designed to fit 20-36 bicycles, the Bike Hanger is an innovative solution to free space in dense urban areas, provide security and promote cycling as an effective mode of transportation. The Bike Hanger is powered by the kinetic energy produced by a stationary bicycle below the structure.

For more information visit http://www.mfarch.com/project%20pages/bike%20hanger/bikehanger.html.

New York City recognized for its green markets

In the recent Green Building Opportunity Index, which ranks markets on a variety of factors that promote sustainable development, three Manhattan commercial districts have been placed in the top 10.  The index, published by Cushman & Wakefield, ranked midtown second, midtown south fourth and downtown seventh.

Cushman & Wakefield attribute New York's prevalence in the top 10 to initiatives taken by the city and state. One such initiative is the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, which requires the owners of properties larger than 50,000 square feet to benchmark their energy and water usage against 2010. Along with public initiatives, the private sector has identified green projects to be enormous economic opportunities.

For more information visit http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110624/REAL_ESTATE/110629914.