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NEWSLETTER
Center for Sustainable Energy
November 23, 2005

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“Road to Energy Independence” Conference and Exposition

A full day of discussions and demonstrations about alternative fuel vehicle technologies (“AFV”) was held at Bronx Community College on Friday, October 28 th. More than 200 people filled the College’s historic Gould Memorial Library Auditorium and Rotunda to hear presentations about global climate change, petroleum supply decline, health concerns associated with conventional motor vehicle exhausts, and the opportunities to finance AFV development and training.

The keynote address was delivered by Michael MacCracken, Chief Scientist for Climate Change Programs of the Washington, DC-based Climate Institute. Dr MacCracken presented a sobering view of melting polar ice and glaciers, rising sea level, increased atmospheric CO2, aberrant weather patterns and gradual upward movement of average global temperature. His remarks were preceded with an overview of alternatives to conventional transportation by Joanna Underwood, President of INFORM, Inc. whose organization has a long history of promoting alternative fuel vehicle technologies. Presentations by the speakers are available on the website indicated below.

Hosted by the Center for Sustainable Energy, the event was sponsored and supported by 28 different public agencies, private companies and not-for-profit organizations. The Center is especially grateful for the generous contributions of the New York City Department of Transportation, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the New State Energy Research Development Authority, NDH Capital Corporation, Bell Power Systems, Inc., the Odyne Corporation and Johnson Controls, Inc.

The conference also featured an exposition of 17 alternative fuel vehicles-- cars, buses, trucks. Various vehicle designs included use of compressed natural gas, hybrids, battery electric power, biodiesel and waste cooking oil. One big hit with conferees were three “Human Tansporters” courtesy of Segway. The two-wheeled, electric- drive, battery-powered Segways are equipped with adjustable hand grips and get, according to its manufacturer, the equivalent of 450 miles per gallon. The Center acknowledges with gratitude the MTA, Manhattan Beer, Keyspan Energy, ZipCar, the New York City Department of Sanitation, Vegoil Auto & Truck Systems, and a number of guests and College staff for displaying their fuel efficient and low-emission vehicles.

For a look at the conference agenda see:
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/institutionalDevelopment/cse/events.cfm?page=88

Speaker presentations can be seen at:
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/Speakers__10-28-2005_Conference.cfm

Photos of the day’s activities can be viewed at:
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/photo_gallery.cfm

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Center Presents “Sustainable Energy Pioneer” Awards

Three “Sustainable Energy Pioneer” awards were presented by Bronx Community College and its Center for Sustainable Energy at the “Road to Energy Independence: New York City’s Alternative Transportation Future” conference on the BCC campus Friday, October 28th. The recipients of the awards were honored in recognition of their efforts in support of alternatives to prevailing internal combustion engine technologies.

One award was presented to the MANHATTAN BEER CORPORATION and its President and CEO, SIMON BERGSON, for private sector pioneering. The company retrofitted 20 of its fleet of delivery trucks to run on Compressed Natural Gas, reducing pollution and increasing vehicle efficiency. More vehicle conversions are planned. Under Mr. Bergson’s leadership, Manhattan Beer was one of the first companies in the region to make such a commitment to natural gas vehicles. The company has also built a series of natural gas fueling stations to serve these vehicles. Each converted vehicle saves over 36,000 gallons of diesel fuel over its lifetime and reduces harmful emissions in the community it serves by as much as 60%.

The second award was presented to THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and its ALTERNATIVE FUELS PROGRAM (AFP) for its leadership in identifying and pursuing alternatives to conventional vehicles. Receiving the award for the AFP was LOUIS CALCAGNO, MARK SIMON, SUSAN MCSHERRY AND MICHELLE BRATHWAITE. The DOT and this program have helped to guide and develop the partial transition of fleets used by City agencies, including: the Department of Sanitation, which now has several hundred Compressed Natural Gas-powered vehicles; and NYC Transit, which now has 300 Diesel-Electric Hybrid buses, with 400 more on order. NYCDOT has taken the lead in the Clean Cities Coalition program sponsored by the US Department of Energy.

The third award was presented to an individual, LUIS TORRES, whose efforts have contributed greatly to developments in this field. Mr. Torres was a staff member in the office of Bronx Congressman Jośe Serrano, where, as an attorney, he played a key role in developing actions and legislation that sought to correct environmental injustices in the South Bronx. He was a moving force in the development of BRAVE 1, a coalition of organizations committed to a cleaner environment, cleaner air, the reduction of pollution caused by fossil fuel-burning vehicles and power plants. The efforts of Luis Torres and BRAVE 1 led to the planning of the Center for Sustainable Energy at BCC.

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College Gets NSF Grant for New Energy Services Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a grant of $900,000 to Bronx Community College (BCC) to develop and implement a new Energy Services Technology program (EST) that will establish an A.A.S. degree in EST and a series of continuing education certificate courses at the college.

The grant money will be used to plan and develop new curricula for classroom, fieldwork and laboratory instruction in an energy services management and alternative fuel education and training program, and to purchase materials, equipment and instruments to equip laboratories and workshops. The EST A.A.S. degree curriculum and certificate programs are linked to a group of BCC secondary school programs such as College Now, and Tech Prep, which are supported by the NYS Department of Education. The EST program will also be affiliated with five high schools in NYC that have Automotive Technology programs, as well as with the Automotive Technology Program at BCC. The EST program is designed to provide new career opportunities for students and other community residents by establishing an educational pathway from high school or the community to college level science and technology courses to job placement. The program will be housed within the Physics and Technology Department at BCC and will be closely associated with the BCC Center for Sustainable Energy.

“The country faces a critical shortage of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. Fuel prices are rising and will continue to rise. Thus it is critical that we develop sustainable energy systems that rely on renewable energy, such as solar, wind and biomass. To work with the new alternative renewable energy sources, the world will need specialists familiar with the technology that is coming online with sustainable energy resources,” states Dr. Reid Strieby, one of the designers and co-directors of this program. He will be working with Chemistry Professor Dr. Neal Phillip.

Some of the courses students will take include Introduction to Energy Management; Energy Control; Energy Cost & Energy Analysis; Energy Efficiency Methods and Alternative/Renewable Sources of Energy.

“The EST program will be the first of its kind in The City University of New York (CUNY) system. Both the degree and certificate programs will provide concentrations in Energy Service Occupational areas. This is a career field that utilizes the principles of science, engineering, communications, and economics to optimize the production, delivery and use of energy resources. The College is extremely honored to receive this National Science Foundation grant which will allow BCC to become one of the leading institutions in the development, education and training energy service technicians” adds Dr. Strieby.

The BCC / EST program will enable students to work in such occupational areas as energy auditors, energy managers, energy cost analysts and building control operators who will install, maintain and troubleshoot complex building systems related to heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Other occupational areas include consumer service representatives for sales and marketing energy efficient companies, as well as alternative fuel vehicles operations, maintenance and service technicians.

With an Associate degree in EST, students can expect to go to work for energy generation and distribution companies like Con Edison, Keyspan, and Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). Additional employment opportunities are available with energy auditing, measurement and verification companies, construction, building management companies and government agencies in the energy services field. Students trained to become alternative fuel vehicle technicians have the opportunity to enter one of the fastest growing fields in the automotive industry. They can seek employment with automotive manufacturers, automotive distributors, dealerships and automotive service stations. Starting salaries will range from $35,000 to $45,000.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the energy services technology industry is among the top 20 occupational growth areas over the next ten years. The EST Program at BCC will be well positioned to respond to that rapid workforce growth. The broader impact of this program is its ability to serve as a replicable model for the development of a technological workforce needed to maintain and service the growing renewable energy section of the economy.

“Our Vision of the EST program and the intellectual merit that went into the design of this program is derived and will be sustained through research and consultation with public and private researchers and administrative leaders in the field of Energy Services Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicles,” states Dr. Strieby.

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Workshop Introduces Bronx Science Teachers to “Energy Bike”

Twenty Bronx science teachers were introduced to a unique way of teaching energy at a workshop organized by the Center for Sustainable Energy and led by Todd Rogers of the NEED (National Energy Education Development) Project. The teachers came from ten different Bronx high schools in order to learn how to use the “Energy Bike,” a woman’s 21-speed bicycle mounted on a device that enables the person who pedals it to generate electricity and demonstrate a wide variety of fundamental concepts such as current, voltage, wattage, resistance, capacitance and power.

All teachers who take the 5-hour Energy Bike session become eligible to have the device and its accompanying control panel and instructional materials at no charge for use in their classrooms. The Energy Bike can also be used in science labs, professional development programs, assemblies, PTA meetings, science fairs and community outreach projects. When students pedal the Energy Bike they can see how much effort is required to develop the current needed for a variety of electricity consuming devices and gain a stronger appreciation for the whole concept of electric power. For additional information, please see http://www.need.org/ or contact Todd Rodgers by email at trogers@need.org or by phone at (800) 658-5753.

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NABCEP Authorizes College to give PV Entry Level Certificate Exam

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has approved Bronx Community College’s application to administer the Photovoltaic (PV) Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam. The College has over the past five years, trained more than 100 students in the basics of PV technology and installation. Its most recent course offered through November 19th  just completed introductory training to another 11 students. Applicants who take the 2-hour, 60-question multiple choice exam are permitted to bring calculators with them and will receive the NABCEP entry level certificate for having a passing grade of at least 65% correct answers. A minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction is recommended in preparation for the entry level exam. The College will be scheduling a Photovoltaic (PV) Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam and will announce the date in the next Center for Sustainable Energy newsletter. A more comprehensive exam for experienced installers, NABCEP's "flagship certification," requires a minimum of one year of experience installing PV systems. For details on qualifications for full certification see: http://www.nabcep.org/ and for the Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge see: http://www.nabcep.org/news.cfm?pr=39

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Kudos:

High Performance Building Bill

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Council deserve the community's thanks for a new law that will go into effect in 2007. Intro 324-A requires environmentally preferable standards and practices in the construction or renovation of all municipal buildings and any construction projects receiving $10 million or more in City funds. For more details, see:
http://www.nycapollo.org/press_release_for_Mayor_Signature.pdf

New York City Apollo Campaign Director

Congratulations to Eddie Lopez on his appointment as the Campaign Director for New York City Apollo. Eddie has many years of experience in community organizing and is a native of the Bronx. The Center wishes him success in his efforts toward advancing Apollo’s mission of a stronger economy built on sustainable jobs. Eddie can be reached at 212-827-0046. See also: http://www.nycapollo.org/

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Commentary: “It’s Time for a New Vision”

CSE Operations Director Jim Quigley’s take on the recent calamity in the Gulf Coast and its relationship to energy. http://www.enn.com/comment.html?id=425

Jim’s commentaries have appeared on ENN (Environmental News Network http://www.enn.com). Also see : http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/WhoWeAre.cfm and http://www.enn.com/enn_commentary_main_d.html?author=James Quigley, Center for Sustainable Energy

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Recommended Reading:

The Science of Global Climate Change , by Michael MacCracken, Ph.D.
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/Science_of_Global_Climate_Change.pdf

Oil: Caveat Empty , by Alfred Cavallo, Ph.D.
http://www.thebulletin.org/article.php?art_ofn=mj05cavallo

Winning the Oil Endgame: Innovation for Profits, Jobs, and Security by the Rocky Mountain Institute
http://www.oilendgame.com/

Has oil production peaked? by David Lynch
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2005-10-16-oil-1a-cover-usat_x.htm

 See additional readings recommended by the Center at: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/News_Publications.cfm 

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EVENTS OF INTEREST IN THE AREA: 

Thursday, December 1, 2005, 6 PM - 8 PM, New York, NY

Toast to the Future Cooperative Green Republic of the South Bronx , food, cash bar, live auction, screening of “Made In the USA: American Worker Cooperatives.” 64 Downing Street, RSVP to: omar@greenworker.coop

Thursday, December 8, 2005, 12 PM - 2 PM, Brooklyn, NY

Manhattan Beer Distributors Natural Gas Vehicle Roll Out & Station Dedication Ceremony , 5700 Avenue D. RSVP to Juliet at 860-663-3925 by Dec. 6 or email jburdie@aol.com Ceremony to be followed, 2 PM - 4 PM, by a meeting of the NYC Clean Cities Market Development Committee.

See also the Center’s events listings at: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/events.cfm

Have a related event scheduled that you would like to see publicized in this newsletter or on our website? Send us an email at: mail@csebcc.org

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THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EACH AND EVERY READER A SAFE AND PLEASANT THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!

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

The Mission of the Centeris to promote a stronger economy and a healthier environment through education, training and community involvement.

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
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 the latest news, check out the Center’s news page at: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/News_Publications.cfm

2155 University Avenune, GML-104 Bronx, New York 10453