New York State, along with the states of New Jersey and Connecticut, five other states, and the City of New York, filed a lawsuit on July 21 in a federal district court in New York claiming that five companies that control 174 fossil fuel burning power plants in 20 states producing 650 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, are endangering the health and welfare of its citizens.

According to a press release from the office of NY State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, “it is the first time state and local governments have sued private companies to require reductions in the heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions that scientists say pose serious threats to our health, economy and environment.” The suit was filed “under the federal common law of public nuisance, which provides a right of action to curb air and water pollution emanating from sources in other states.”

No monetary damages are sought by the plaintiffs. However, their brief calls for “switching from coal to cleaner-burning fuels; greater use of biomass energy derived from plants; investment in energy conservation; and use of clean energy sources like wind and solar power.”

See the press release at: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/jul/jul21a_04.html
and the 60-page brief at: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/jul/jul21a_04_attach.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------

Center to host lighting workshop co-sponsored
by NYSERDA and the BOEDC on August 18

The Center for Sustainable Energy is hosting a workshop for technicians who design lighting systems for commercial locations in New York State. Co-sponsored by NYSERDA’s New York Energy $mart Small Commercial Lighting Program and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation’s Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment, the workshop's focus will be on small commercial spaces measuring between 1,000 and 25,000 square feet.

The event will take place on Wednesday, August 18th, 2004, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Bronx Community College, University Avenue at West 181 Street, Bronx, NY 10453. The event is free but pre-registration is required and seating space is limited. Call Maria Mitsios toll-free at 1-866-698-8177, or obtain a registration form at
http://sclp.lightingresearch.org/pdf/Bronx%20Mass%20Training%20August%202004%20Invite.pdf

More information on NYSERDA’s Small Commercial Lighting Program can be found at:
http://www.nyserda.org/sclp

For more information on the BOEDC’s Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment, see:
http://www.boedc.com/biee/

-----------------------------------------------------------

Bronx Community College Acquires Patterson Reserve Facility

A 50,000 square-foot building complex that sits on a 3.5 acre plot across the street from Bronx Community College was consigned to the College by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers earlier this month. Known presently as the Patterson Reserve Facility, the structure once housed a 1,000-man armory. Vacated by the Army more than two years ago, the facility remained empty while awaiting the legal clearances needed before it could be used by the College.

Calling it the “completion of stage one” towards the eventual occupation and use of Patterson, BCC Vice President of Administration and Finance, Mary E. Coleman, noted that the Center for Sustainable Energy is expected to be one of its first tenants. The Center seeks to make the Patterson facility both a training site for its future transportation program and a working example of energy efficiency that will compliment a workforce development initiative in energy services technology.

-----------------------------------------------------------

SAVE THE DATE
Toward a Sustainable Bronx: Energy and Environmental Technologies that Save Dollars, Create Jobs

All-day, free conference, October 22, 2004

The Center for Sustainable Energy will host an all-day conference on Friday, October 22, 2004, at the campus of Bronx Community College to increase awareness of the opportunities and technologies in sustainable energy use, by presenting information on these technologies and their applications in construction and other energy applications for buildings and industry.

The conference will address an audience of professionals whose work has either immediate or long-term impacts on how energy resources are used and how the public is made aware of this. These groups include architects; engineers; building contractors; building managers; electrical contractors; heating-ventilation-air conditioning technicians; planners; procurement personnel; educators; physical plant managers; business managers; and representatives of government, public utilities and public institutions who have authority for decisions affecting building design and management.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation’s Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment. Supporting organizations include the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the US Department of Energy. See:
http://energysmartamerica.org/seminars/10222004_BronxNY_ETS.htm
… and watch for further details in this newsletter and on the CSE website at:
http://www.csebcc.org

-----------------------------------------------------------

Other Upcoming Events of Interest:

September 29 to October 1. “Mid-Atlantic Sustainability Conference” in Trenton, NJ
http://www.nesea.org/buildings/be/nj/

October 2. "Green Buildings Open House" featuring the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour (in selected Northeast cities)
http://www.nesea.org/buildings/openhouse/

November 18 & 19. “Energy In Schools Conference,” Albany, NY
http://www.nesea.org/EnergyInSchools/index.html

-----------------------------------------------------------