NEWSLETTER
Center for Sustainable Energy
November 22, 2006

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Contents

• CUNY to Hold Sustainability Conference
• Annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conference Features Keynote by Director of “Who Killed the Electric Car,” Alt Fuel Vehicle Exposition, and Panels on Fuels, Technologies, Policies and Opportunities
• Center’s Next Advanced PV Course Set for February
• Tips: $ from NYSERDA; Energy Savings; Change a Light
• Recommended Readings: Asthma Study; Climate Change; Free Email Newsletter; Energy Bulletin
• Kudos: José E. Serrano Center for Global Conservation; NYU Wind Energy Purchase
• Events of Interest in the Area
• Holiday Greetings

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 CUNY to Hold Sustainability Conference

 "Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Science, Engineering, and Public Policy," will be an all-day conference on Friday, December 8, 2006 , 9 AM to 5 PM, at the CUNY Graduate Center located at 365 Fifth Avenue at 34^th Street, New York, NY. Particular emphasis will be placed on how sustainability issues affect the nation, New York State, and New York City, including: the impacts of rapidly rising global energy use and fossil fuel demand; the connection between fossil fuel-based energy production and potentially devastating climate change; and the social, political and economic effects of rapid urbanization and its influence on energy use.

The conference will address two major themes: 1) the cutting-edge scientific and engineering innovations that will lead to breakthroughs in alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, and increasing energy supply; and 2) the policy questions to be defined and resolved to bring these innovations forward to the wider society. The conference is free. For registration and an agenda, contact:  Karen D. Belin, Office of Environmental Health & Safety, The City University of New York, 212-794-5630, karen.belin@mail.cuny.edu

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Annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conference Features Keynote by Director of “Who Killed the Electric Car,” Alt Fuel Vehicle Exposition, and Panels on Fuels, Technologies, Policies and Opportunities

Christopher Paine, director and screen writer of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” (now on DVD) (http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/) delivered the keynote address at the annual alternative fuel vehicle conference of the Center for Sustainable Energy on Thursday, October 12, 2006, at Bronx Community College. Mr. Paine’s remarks included an audio-visual presentation of his efforts to develop a major release documenting the recent demise of electric powered vehicles produced by the major manufacturers.

“Road to Energy Independence: New York City’s Alternative Transportation Future,” the Center’s Fall Conference, was the New York Metropolitan area’s participant in the “AFV Odyssey,” a nation-wide initiative of the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) that took place in more than 50 locations around the country. Bronx Community College, host of the conference, put on display a fleet of alternative fuel vehicles assembled from all over the metropolitan area and included trucks, buses, cars and other vehicles and equipment powered by alternative fuels and energy efficient technologies. The Center gratefully acknowledges the many parties who brought these vehicles to the event.

The day-long conference included four thought provoking panels on the latest fuel developments, alternative fuel and hybrid technologies, policy challenges, incentives and business opportunities. To see these presentations, go to: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/institutionalDevelopment/cse/Oct12ConferencePresentation.cfm 

The day concluded with a ceremony for the Center for Sustainable Energy’s Annual Sustainable Energy Pioneer Awards. They were presented this year in the private citizen category to Joanna Underwood for her years of leadership in advancing alternative fuel vehicles; in the public entity category to NYSERDA for its extensive commitment to promoting alternative transportation technologies; and in the private sector category to Azure Dynamics, a leader in manufacturing hybrid drive systems for vehicles. Photos of the conference and awards ceremony can be viewed at the bottom of the following page:

http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/photo_gallery.cfm

The Center once again wishes to thank the sponsors who helped make this event possible. They include the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation-Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment, Manhattan Beer Distributors, Clean Energy, Emission Solutions and Fuel:Bio Holdings. 

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Tips:

New Funding Opportunities

More solicitations have been announced by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for energy conservation and renewable energy development project support. For a complete listing of NYSERDA funding opportunities, see: http://www.nyserda.org/Funding/

Home Energy Conservation

Now that the heating season is in full swing, the Center wants its readers to know of a few handy resources for moderating your home energy bill. Check out these helpful links:

NY Energy Smart Communities

http://www.getenergysmart.org/

New York Power Authority
http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers/energybilltips/

US EPA Energy Star Program
http://www.energystar.gov/

Change a Light, Change the World

The ENERGY STAR® “Change a Light, Change the World Campaign” is a national call-to-action from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to encourage every individual to help change the world, one light — one energy-saving step — at a time. At the campaign’s heart is the ENERGY STAR® Change a Light Pledge, “to do my part to save energy and help reduce the risks of global climate change by replacing at least one light in my home with an ENERGY STAR qualified one.” A Teacher’s Guide is available that provides lesson plans on connecting wider energy conservation practices and energy resource issues to lighting. The Guide can be downloaded at:

http://www.getenergysmart.org/Files/Schools/NEEDCALTeacherGuide.pdf

The pledge can be found at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=cal.showPledge

See also:  http://www.energyhog.org/  and http://www.getenergysmart.org/whereyoulive/energystarproducts/lighting.asp

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Recommended Reading:

Asthma and Diesel Exhaust Linked in NYU Study of South Bronx

Congressman Jośe Serrano joined with New York University’s School of Medicine in releasing a new study tying South Bronx childhood asthma to highways and dirty air. The study found that about one in five of all pre-k through eighth graders in the South Bronx attend schools within 500 feet of major highways, where air pollution concentrations exceed normal levels. South Bronx children are twice as likely to attend a school near a highway as other children in the City.

See: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny16_serrano/061016asthma.html

See also: http://www.nyu.edu/public.affairs/releases/detail/1263

Americans and Climate Change: Closing the Gap Between Science and Action

Reverend and former Congressman Bob Edgar reportedly “brought the house down” at a conference organized by the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences Conference on Climate Change that took place in Aspen, Colorado last year when he recited a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. that opened the new report referred to here: “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The ‘tide in the affairs of men’ does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: ‘Too late...’” The report is a consensus document that contains many ominous forecasts about climate change and offers a prescription for addressing an increasingly urgent crisis.

http://environment.yale.edu/climate/americans_and_climate_change.pdf#search=%22Climate%20Change%20study%20at%20community%20college%22

OurPlanet 

Free e-newsletter by E Magazine (http://www.emagazine.com/). “Now in its 16th year, E/The Environmental Magazine is a bimonthly ‘clearinghouse’ of information, news and resources for people concerned about the environment who want to know ‘What can I do?’ to make a difference. A 13-time Independent Press Awards winner and nominee, E is chock full of everything environmental -- from recycling to rainforests, and from the global village to our own backyards.”

See: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/optin.jsp?m=1101122473130

EnergyBulletin

EnergyBulletin.net “is designed to be a clearinghouse for current information regarding the peak in global energy supply. It publishes news and research concerning: The current situation and trajectory, such as oil & gas production data, economic or societal clues to decline profiles, and relevant institutional pronouncements; Innovations or partial solutions to this crisis, such as renewable energy generation capacity and research, alternative financial systems, or post-carbon urban agriculture; Any other issues which assist our understanding of the broader implications of the peak.” See: http://www.energybulletin.net/

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Kudos:

Ground broken for the new José E. Serrano Center for Global Conservation at the Bronx Zoo

As part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the new Center will unite WCS’s work in the field with researchers, academics and others at their Bronx headquarters. It is a major investment in the research infrastructure of the Wildlife Conservation Society in the Bronx. "Throughout my long career in public office," said Congressman Serrano, "I have always fought for and been passionate about the protection of our environment – whether it is for the restoration of our Bronx River or finding ways to address our community’s asthma crisis.  Knowing that significant conservation work will take place in this building makes this naming particularly special to me.”  See: http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny16_serrano/061016Zoo.html

Largest Purchase of Wind Power by Any U.S. University Makes NYU Largest Wind Energy Purchaser in NYC and 11th Nationally

New York University announced that it would purchase some 118,000,000 KWh of wind power, an amount equivalent to the power that the University purchases annually from Con Edison. It will be the largest purchase of wind power by any U.S. college or university, according to the EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program, the largest purchase of wind power by any institution in New York City, and the 11th largest purchase nationally. See:  http://www.nyu.edu/public.affairs/releases/detail/1235

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EVENTS OF INTEREST IN THE AREA: 

Tuesday, November 28th,  6:45 PM, New York, NY

Alternative Energy Study Group. “Energy Conservation in Buildings” with guests Robert Gardella and Matt Slattery of Conservation Services Group giving presentations on (1) Building science: How even modern buildings waste lots of energy and some simple strategies to mitigate energy loss; and, (2) Energy Star Homes program which pays homeowners to make their houses energy efficient. Location: Microsoft Briefing Center, 1290 6th Ave (the AXA building, bet 51st & 52nd Sts), 6th floor. Photo ID required. Contact  John Howell   howellshadow@yahoo.com

Thursday, November 30th, 2006,  9 AM to 5 PM, New York, NY

"Energy for a New Century" Conference by the Metro New York Section, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Chemical Marketing & Economics Group, New York Section of the American Chemical Society, New York Academy of Sciences, and the Bronx County Chapter, New York State Society of Professional Engineers. See: www.nyas.org/alternativeenergy 

Saturday, December 2, 2006, 9 AM to 4 PM, Long Island City, NY

“Sustainable Strategies and Rating Systems.” One-day course on sustainable materials and renewable energy strategies as integrated into the building design process.  6 AIA credits. Fee: $120. Contact Michelle Zaffino, 718-663-8403, mzaffino@lagcc.cuny.edu , www.nydesigns.org

Friday, December 8, 2006 , 9 AM to 5 PM, New York, NY

“Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Science, Engineering, and Public Policy,” Conference and exposition sponsored by the City University of New York. Free. Contact:  Karen D. Belin, Office of Environmental Health & Safety, The City University of New York, 212-794-5630, karen.belin@mail.cuny.edu

Monday, December 11, 2006 , 9 AM to 2 PM, Princeton, NJ

New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability Winter Energy Workshop at Princeton University  http://acteva.com/booking.cfm?binid=1&bevaID=122173

 Friday, December 15, 2006, 9 AM to 2 PM, Toms River, NJ

New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability Winter Green Design Workshop at Ocean County College  http://acteva.com/booking.cfm?binid=1&bevaID=122174 

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THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH ALL OF ITS READERS A HAPPY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. 

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HAVE AN EVENT OR NEWS ITEM YOU WISH TO SEE APPEAR IN THIS NEWSLETTER? PLEASE EMAIL: mail@csebcc.org  

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The Center for Sustainable Energy, established in 2003 at Bronx Community College, City University of New York, was initially funded with a Congressional appropriation sponsored by The Honorable Jośe E. Serrano, and administered through the U.S. Department of Energy.

The mission of the Center is to promote the use of renewable and efficient energy technologies in urban communities through education, training, workforce development, research, and project facilitation. The Center supports clean energy development and energy conservation as the means to protect the environment, enhance public health, and position New York City to capture emerging economic development opportunities in the energy sector.

Tax deductible contributions to the Center may be sent to the address below. Checks should be made payable to “Bronx Community College Foundation/Center for Sustainable Energy.”

Center for Sustainable Energy
Bronx Community College, CUNY
Hall of Fame Terrace, GML 102
Bronx, NY10453

Call the Center at: 718-289-5332
Email the Center at: mail@csebcc.org
Visit the Center website at: http://www.csebcc.org 

For links to past newsletters of the Center, see:
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/News_Publications.cfm

West 181st. Street & University Ave., GML-104 Bronx, New York 10453