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Photovoltaic Installation Workshop Dec. 3, 4 & 5

The Center for Sustainable Energy and Bronx Community College will hold a photovoltaic installation workshop over three full days beginning Friday, December 3 through Sunday December 5, 2004 at Bronx Community College. The workshop will be instructed by Jonathan Lane of Quad State Solar, a NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certified PV installer (one of only 143 nationwide), and will feature hands-on training and classroom instruction in the physics, installation and operation of photovoltaic (solar electricity) panels. Tuition for the workshop is $499. Scholarships of $149 per person are being offered to the first six persons who register for the course. To enroll or for registration information see: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/ContinuingProfessionalStudies/default.cfm or telephone Bronx Community College’s Office of Continuing and Professional studies at 718-289-5170.

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More than 300 Attend Reception and Energy Conference at BCC

Two influential officials were honored at a reception held at Bronx Community College’s historic Gould Memorial Library Rotunda Thursday evening, October 21, 2004. Commemorative plaques were presented to Congressman Jose E. Serrano “in recognition of his vital leadership in establishing the Center for Sustainable Energy and for his enduring commitment to a better future for our borough, city, and nation,” and to Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “in recognition of his commitment to a more sustainable borough by establishing the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment.” The reception served as a prelude to an all-day, free conference, on Friday, October 22, 2004, “Toward a Sustainable Bronx: Energy and Environmental Technologies that Save Dollars, Create Jobs.” To help distinguish the occasion, Congressman Serrano had a special recognition entered into the Congressional Record while Borough President Carrión issued a proclamation saluting the event.

An audience representing architects, engineers, building managers, utility experts, educators and community activists heard speakers address energy conservation and renewable energy issues ranging from lighting efficiency, to performance contracting to solar energy applications. In addition to Bronx Community College’s Center for Sustainable Energy, the conference was sponsored by the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment (BIEE). Co-sponsors included the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the New York Power Authority, the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, the Association for Energy Affordability and the US Department of Energy.

Corporate sponsors for the reception and conference included Baldor Specialty Foods, Calmac Manufacturing, ConEd, Cummins Metropower, Hunt Power, J.P. Morgan Chase and KeySpan. Between the two events, more than 300 people attended. The Center gratefully acknowledges the conference planning team of the Bronx River Research Group, Mid-Hudson Energy Smart Communities, BIEE and NYSERDA. Persons interested in reviewing the presentations given at the conference can download the files by going to:
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/Speakers__10-22-2004_Conference.cfm

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NYC Apollo Introduces 10-Point Plan

New York City Apollo introduced its “Ten Point Plan for a Strong Economy and Healthy City” at a press conference in Manhattan on October 7. Jim Quigley, Acting Director of the Center for Sustainable Energy was one of the guests who addressed the gathering and urged the adoption of the Plan to overcome global climate change and dependency on imported oil. “There is enough solar energy falling on only 10% of the land mass of the state of Arizona to provide for all the electricity needs of the US with existing photovoltaic technology,” said Quigley.

The press conference took place at the Municipal Arts Society and was organized by Urban Agenda, a project of the NYC Central Labor Council and the Queens College Labor Resource Center. It included representatives of labor, business, education and activist groups. The Ten Point Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for developing jobs in a sustainable energy economy that emphasize energy conservation, renewable energy technologies, and low to zero emission transportation and infrastructure. Copies of the plan can be obtained from Jeremy Reiss <jeremy_reiss@qc.edu> or Joanne Derwin <joanne_derwin@qc.edu> or by calling Urban Agenda at 212-827-0200.

New York City Apollo is part of the National Apollo Alliance which takes its name from the historic mission to put a man on the moon. The Apollo Alliance calls for a commitment by government on a scale of the moon mission to manufacture and install solar and wind technologies around the country while creating a new generation of renewable energy manufacturers, installation and maintenance technicians, investors and teachers. For more on the Apollo Alliance, see: http://www.apolloalliance.org/.

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Center to Launch CUNY Energy Conservation Initiative

In response to new rate increases for electricity for government customers by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the Center for Sustainable Energy is introducing an initiative with the City University of New York to explore how improvements in energy use efficiency can cut costs for CUNY while also reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption.

The Center will initiate discussions at selected CUNY campuses with administrators and staff who are responsible for management of physical facilities and conduct analyses of energy use patterns. The purposes of these explorations are fivefold: (1) Develop the metrics for benchmarking existing energy use patterns; (2) Identify best practices for optimizing operations; (3) Identify obstacles and resources for implementing best practices; (4) Propose and help guide plans for specific interventions; and (5) Disseminate information on successful implementation of energy saving interventions as they are documented.

The NYPA rate increase of 28% for production of electricity-- which equals an increase of nearly 20% on the overall electric bill-- takes effect in January. Additional rate increases are expected for electricity distribution in the spring by ConEd (NYPA generates the power while ConEd delivers it). The Center will also explore possible energy savings for heating fuels (natural gas and fuel oil), as well as how CUNY’s vehicle fleets may benefit from opportunities for alternative fuel technology conversions and hybrid replacements where possible. “The Center does not have the answers to these challenges,” said Jim Quigley, Acting Director, “but by having the right people at the table we believe that we can have a positive impact on improved performance that both reduces operational costs and improves environmental impact.”

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Discussions Continue about Possible NESEA Chapter in New York City

Bronx Community College’s Center for Sustainable Energy hosted a gathering of city-wide activists interested in establishing a chapter of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) on October 15. The group explored how NESEA could help advance sustainable energy development in NYC through its outreach, publications and conferencing capabilities. A consensus was not reached on establishing a chapter but it was clear that the group’s wider agenda of promoting renewable energy and energy conservation could be strengthened by NESEA’s presence in the city.

A follow up meeting is to take place in Manhattan on December 7th from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Building Owners and Managers Association of New York (BOMA/NY) in their conference room on the 10th floor of 11 Penn Plaza, directly across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. BOMA/NY will need a list of those planning on attending and an assurance that the space is restored to its normal state when finished. They will not provide any food or beverages but will make available any A/V connections that are required. Security will only allow admittance into the building for those persons whose names appear on the RSVP list. If you plan to attend, please RSVP the Center for Sustainable Energy no later than December 6 at mail@csebcc.org on telephone 718-289-5332.

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Energy in Schools Conference, Nov. 18-19, Albany, NY

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association are jointly sponsoring a two-day conference in Albany, NY from Thursday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Nov. 19. Conference tracks include transportation, energy efficiency, sustainable design, and renewable energy. Conference exhibits include a vendor fair and displays of student energy projects and alternative fuel vehicles. For conference registration, see: http://www.nesea.org/EnergyInSchools/ or call NESEA at 1-877-447-6527.

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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 Jose E. Serrano, and administered through the U.S. Department of 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

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