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“Master List” for Suggested Committee Actions
All Levels
Structural
Personal
Suggested Actions to increase awareness of
our campaign and these issues
This list is
compiled from committee member suggestions, as well as other sources. I have
organized some of these “interventions” by type instead of by target audience
because they can often be applied across categories. For example, “Structural”
can be applied to any property-holding entity: business, private homeowner,
government, school, church etc. Same goes for “Personal” because the
decision-maker of any organization can apply these concepts across the
organization.
As far as energy
infrastructure, it doesn’t fall neatly under private or government.
(Contributors include Hugh Mitchell, Bob Siegel, Lou Grinzo, Hank Stone,
Kathleen Draper, Elizabeth Pixley, Cool Cities, ICLEI, Apollo Alliance, NYSERDA,
Energy Star and many more).
Government
- Conversion to paperless
recordkeeping
- Begin comprehensive
public education campaign- Prior generations have had success in making
efficiency second nature (“Turn off the light” signs)
- Fund alternative energy
R&D directly and provide tax incentives (nationwide uniformity)
- Incentives should favor
best technology (solar vs. corn ethanol)
- Regulation and
standardization of guidelines for sitting new projects
- Requiring best available
technology to reduce emission for current power plants (scrubbers),
retaining New Source Review
- Decouple energy company
profits from energy consumption
- Stop subsidizing oil and
coal (and stop allowing these businesses to write energy policy)
- Make sure agricultural
subsidies go toward primary food sources and not food additives (corn and
soy heavily subsidized because of conversion to food additives)
- Develop incentive
programs for truly organic practices that decrease use of wasteful practices
and fossil fuel-based fertilizers (crop rotation, planting multiple
varieties in one field, etc.)
- Eliminate financial
incentive to import food; encourage fair trade practices
- Increase CAFÉ standards
- Stop allowing auto
manufacturers to meet green vehicle quotas through “flex fuel” vehicles
- Require best-practice
auto emissions reduction technology (like California’s) nationwide
- Require power companies
to offer green power options that work (RG&E still reporting wind power at
less than 1% despite “Catch the Wind” program)
- Require recycling
nationwide
- Making California’s
electronic device “standby power” cap nationwide
- Require true cost of
emissions on health/environment be disclosed or included in energy prices;
carbon tax
- Enforce penalties for
companies’ environmental violations
- Preserve public’s
ability to bring civil suit against polluters
- Subsidize studies on
true effects of pollution
- Sign Kyoto Protocol
- Moratorium on new fossil
fuel drilling
- NY State goal is 25%
green energy generation by 2013
- Expand “Empire Zone”
business incentives to favor green business
- Implement program like
Ontario: utilities will pay anyone producing solar power 42 cents/kWh; wind,
hydro or bioelectric 11 to 14.5 cents/kWh
- Expansion of recycling
to non-carbonated bottle types, “Bigger Better Bottle Bill”
- Industrial development
bonds to encourage energy audits and retrofits
- Support, expand cap and
trade program among northeastern states
- Sales tax breaks on
efficient purchases (cars, appliances, solar, etc.)
- Sales tax penalties on
wasteful luxury vehicles (Hummers)
Building
Policies
- Modify building codes to
require higher efficiency standards (LEED model)
- Penalize inefficient
building owners by implementing a cap and trade type of program for
efficient buildings and practices
- Require efficiency
upgrades at sale of buildings
- Use best-practice
efficiency when remodeling HUD/ abandoned houses for resale (becomes
profitable because these homes more desirable)
- Special benefits for
permit applicants with green plans- decreased costs, waiting time, etc
- Tax credits for energy
and building efficiency. Also allow non-profits to pass credit onto
tax-paying entities
- Audit buildings for
systems (such as HVAC) not working properly, fees for consulting and fixing
problem. Owners like this because it usually ends up saving them money
Incentives/ Promotions/ Legislation
- Provide property tax
incentives for green practices/ upgrades
- Provide incentives for
people and businesses to reside in city (revitalize, reduce crime)-
counteract sprawl
- Incentives for
telecommuting
- Extra funding for school
systems implementing energy-saving strategies
- Offer free parking for
hybrids
- Develop a citywide forum
for carpoolers to meet up
- Actively recruit,
encourage and promote green businesses in an effort to bring Rochester to
the forefront of livable cities (windmill factories)
- Offer prevailing wages
for any city-sponsored green project
- Reward businesses
producing own green power by reforming net metering
- Expansion of recycling
- Question effectiveness
of hazard tree policy
- Car sharing (Zipcar)
- No-idling rules for
vehicles (buses, delivery trucks)
- Pay-as-you-drive auto
insurance
- Encourage carpooling by
municipal employees, telecommuting
- Penalties for recycling
noncompliance
- Revolving loan programs,
revenue bonds with payback rate set at efficiency savings- one initial
investment of capital, self-sustaining
- Encourage utility to
offer efficiency upgrade rebate program- cheaper for them than generating
electricity, building new plants or upgrading old ones
Fort Collins: cost to utility to help customers save energy- 1.7
cents/kWh
cost to utility to generate electricity- 3.7
cents/ kWh
- Work with local
contractors for a referral program for green construction
- Work with local
financial institutions to offer low-rate loans
- Subsidized bus passes
- Institute
across-the-board municipal green (Energy Star) purchasing requirements-
equipment, light bulbs
- Allow homebuyers to
capitalize on not owning a car- calculate savings into buying power
- Investment portfolio
(for city pensions also) into efficiency upgrades- return = energy dollars
saved
- Make end users in
organizations responsible for energy costs in their own budgets- if bills
aren’t paid centrally, more incentive to conserve
- Green building standards
for schools
- Purchase Green power
Community
Plan
- Develop/ implement plan
for community- which areas can be developed, which ones remain wilderness
(zoning)
- Express growth
boundaries
- Interconnected parks and
open spaces
Agriculture
- Encourage local
agriculture by expanding the farmers’ market and community gardens; tax or
land price reductions for co-ops
- Local food used in
school lunch programs
Infrastructure
- Provide bike paths,
walking paths and improve public transportation; provide incentives for use
- Striped bike lanes on
roads
- Provide special traffic
lanes for people carpooling or driving hybrids
- Maximize hydropower on
the Genesee river
- Boost economy by selling
carbon credits
- Build on the legacy of
efficient business and transportation that was left here by the builders of
the Erie Canal.
- Increase efficiency of
municipal fleet vehicles
- Invest in developing new
technology
- Plant trees
- Capture methane
emissions from landfills for energy generation
- Increase availability of
E85, require use or that car manufacturers supply infrastructure
- Offer plug-in sites for
hybrid electric vehicles
- Scooters, bikes for
police officers, parking enforcement
- Improve traffic signal
synchronization
- Maximization of sites
for renewable energy installations (ex- brownfield sites)
- Institute monitored
safe-walking routes for schoolchildren- 20% AM traffic is parents driving
kids
- Allow buses designated
lanes and timed lights- faster, bypass congestion- more desirable means of
transportation
- Use of diesel emissions
capturing technology on vehicles
- GEM vehicles for parks
and land maintenance
- Convert smaller vehicles
to electric
Public
Relations
- Mayor pass a resolution,
hype it as a priority
- Develop public
information campaign
(ex: news spot- examples of structural/
personal changes; availability of energy audits/ improvements/ grants;
showcase local firms that do the audits/ improvements; publicize city
incentive programs). ?Sponsored by NYSERDA, Renew NY
- Educational program in
schools
- Identify community
leaders to train for efficiency awareness programs
- Neighborhood workshops
- Showcase
energy-efficient residences in real estate listings, apartment finders
- Green home/business
tours
- Offer workshops at
libraries, churches, community centers, etc
- NYSERDA efficiency info
given out at home sale like lead info
- Marketing- coupons for
CFLs at local stores
- Increase use of on-site
electricity generation (If half of US single family homes used 10 kW panels
producing for 6 hours/day, 25% of US demand would be met and 575 million
metric tons of CO2 eliminated per year)
- Super insulation, better
windows, attic insulation, caulk and weather-strip, insulate hot water tanks
and pipes (or get on-demand or solar thermal hot water heating system)
- Incorporate efficiency
through lighting systems (LED bulbs, fluorescents, occupancy sensors and
timers). According to Energy Star: of 10,585 people in NYS who have pledged
to change approx. 2 bulbs to compact fluorescent, $608,246 has been saved
and 9,598,205 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions prevented
- Use lighting smarter:
LED nightlights instead of leaving lights on in unoccupied rooms
- Taking advantage of
programs that help finance energy upgrades (Energy Star, NYSERDA)
- Utilizing best-practice
in new buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED]
national benchmark)
- Use metal roofing
materials instead of asphalt
- Adjust thermostat lower
in winter, higher in summer, programmable thermostat and turn down when
building not occupied
-
Each degree above 75ºF that you set your air
conditioner's thermostat saves you 3% of the energy used to cool your home
- Utilize zone heating
- Structural Insulated
Panels have higher upfront cost but save in the end due to decreased labor
and waste costs compared to traditional framing methods
-
Don't cover heat registers and cold air
returns with furniture and rugs.
-
Close fireplace dampers when not in use
-
Set your hot water
heater to 120º F. Turn off your water heater when you're on vacation.
-
Change the filter or clean your air
conditioner according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
-
If your heating system is more than 10 years
old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR® unit could save up to 30% in energy
costs per year
-
Use desk or table lamps instead of overhead
lights
-
ENERGY STAR® dishwashers are at least 25% more
efficient than standard models. They also save 1,200 gallons of water a year
-
Remove air conditioners in the fall or install
a quality cover
-
A refrigerator produced in 1990 uses twice as
much electricity to operate as an ENERGY STAR® model
-
Locate your refrigerator in a cool spot with
good air circulation and away from heat sources like direct sunlight,
kitchen range, and heating vents. Vacuum around the refrigerator coils
periodically
- Maintain vehicles,
replace with more efficient if possible
- Stopping “lead-foot”
driving practices can increase gas mileage by 20% to 30%
- Awareness of electronic
device “standby power” which can be up to 13% of total energy usage.
Estimating at a conservative 5%, standby power wastes more than $3 billion
annually, 64m MWh or the output of 18 typical power stations. Use wall
switches; shut off power strips
- Energy-efficient
appliances
- Fuel-efficient car
(every gallon of gas= 20 lbs CO2)
- Choose locally-grown
foods, organic growing practices
- Use public
transportation
- Group errands
- Purchase green energy
from energy supply company (“Catch the Wind program from RG&E; ECNY and Con
Edison offer green energy options)
- Recycle, donate or sell
unwanted items (Freecycle, Goodwill, Ebay, Craigslist).
- Scrap metal salvagers
will often pick up unwanted appliances, “easy” pickup is free (Call Scott at
254-5875). Also call city disposal service
- Choose items in bulk,
not single-serve packaging
- Reduce/ eliminate meat
consumption (meat requires higher energy inputs than vegetables)
- Choose to invest in
green companies
- Use buying power
to support green products and services.
-
Avoid pre-heating your oven for more
than 10 minutes and resist peeking into the oven. Every time you open the
oven door, you lose roughly 25°FLaundry
-
90% of the energy used for washing clothes
goes to heating the water. Use cold water for washing needs.
-
Always wash and dry full loads. Don't over-dry
clothes in the dryer.
-
Whenever possible, hang your laundry
outdoors to dry
Keep Cool
-
Keep your shades down and the drapes drawn
during the hottest time of the day and open at night.
-
When possible, shut off the air conditioner
and open the windows at night or install an ENERGY STAR® ceiling fan.
-
Be sure your outside air conditioning
condenser is shaded from the sun.
-
When purchasing a room air conditioner, buy
the correct size. Retailers can help you with sizing. Always purchase an
ENERGY STAR® model
-
Change furnace filters according to
manufacturer’s recommendations.
-
Have your gas-fired furnace cleaned every two
years –oil-fired furnaces yearly.
-
Use your exhaust fans appropriately. In just
one hour they can remove a houseful of warmed or cooled air.
-
Repair all leaky faucets. One drop per second
can waste as much as 10 gallons of water in a week. If the water is hot, you
lose not only the water but also the energy used to heat the water.
-
Install low-flow showerheads and
faucets. It could reduce your water use by up to 50%
Home Office
-
If you have ENERGY STAR®-labeled office
equipment (computer, fax, printer, scanner), remember to activate the sleep
function. In a small office, ENERGY STAR® equipment can save about $470 per
year.
-
Clean under and behind your refrigerator to
improve its efficiency. Vacuum around the coils periodically.
-
Bleed the air out of your radiators twice a
year.
-
Get rid of your stand-alone freezer if it's
empty most of the time.
-
Set your refrigerator at 36-38ºF and your
freezer at 0ºF.
-
Only run your dishwasher when full. Use
the energy saver switch or air dry your dishes
Lighting
-
Consider energy efficiency in interior design
by painting walls and ceilings light colors, which reflect rather than
absorb light, thus reducing the need for extra lighting
-
Turn off unused lights, electronics, and
appliances when you leave a room. Install programmable timers
-
Use an electric mower
-
Walk, ride a bike for transportation instead
of a gym membership
-
Decrease reliance on “convenience” energy
wasters like leaf blowers
-
Recycle all batteries- non-rechargeable
alkaline batteries can be recycled through
www.batteryrecycling.com/pailmail.html
-
Recycle rechargeable batteries at Staples,
Radio Shack, Sears, Wal Mart, Target, Home Depot, or take to Household
Hazardous Waste facility
-
Button batteries contain mercury- take them to
community Household Hazardous Waste facility
-
Reuse or recycle ink cartridges (Cartridge
World, Brighton Tops Plaza, S. Clinton) or
www.cartridgeworldusa.com or Staples
-
Recycle unwanted computers at Rochester
Computer Recycling and Recovery
www.rochestercomputer.com
-
Take old reusable house parts to ReHouse
store,
www.ReHouseNY.com
-
Take old sneakers (without lights, metal or
grommets) to Monroe County HHW facility. They are sent back to Nike
Energy Infrastructure
- Increase number of
smaller energy-generating plants/devices to utilize heat from energy
production (CHP) and reduce amount of energy lost through transmission over
distance, increase stability of grid
- Increase use of
alternative energy as per Sierra Club energy policy
- Hold a competition for
the best ad to put on the local TV network
- Set up a concert to
raise money to pay for it
- Invite Mayor Duffy to
speak as part of it
- Bring in name brand
speakers (Robert Redford?) and honor them at a dinner
- Have a series of evening
discussion meetings to decide on best avenues: Alt energy, local food
production, local E85, light rail from farms to town, city study groups for
key subject areas
- Public education offered
via the various stakeholders (churches, etc) or schools continuing education
courses. Perhaps the city or sponsoring stakeholder could entice people to
attend by donating a certain percentage of FREE energy audits and then out
of all audits over a certain period select the worst case/most needy
household to do free improvements (get Home Depot to sponsor) and then
publicize energy savings (a la Extreme Home Makeover) via D&C or radio.
- Have a contest among the
Rochester schools to design a flag/slogan and/or identify energy savings
initiatives within their community for Rochester Cool Cities campaign. This
would facilitate discussing the topic at school in earth science, art and
maybe even math (for analytics on savings). Winner could be given $$ to
fund some of their improvements. Once created, kids could sell flags/bumper
stickers as fundraiser to families in the school that are participating by
trying to cut their home energy usage.
- Have a home/factory tour
of success stories or ultra high efficiency homes in the area – more than
once a year. (Solar homes, Harbec Plastics).
- Certify businesses as
Rochester Cool City Certified (gold or silver a la LEED certification) and
provide publicity for them, maybe other incentives as well.
         
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