Energy efficiency schemes and alternative energy usage programs in NY

[CarlLyday]

The energy efficiency news stories about exhausting energy resources have stirred up the minds of people to think seriously about energy efficency programs that can educate the world about the wise use of energy resources. Many metros around the world are on the way to become energy efficient, for a safer future. One of them is New York (NY) in USA. NY government offices conduct informative energy efficency programs and campaigns that aim at promoting energy saving. There are many publicity campaigns, which include measures like turning off lights etc… to make the public aware of the importance of saving energy.

Regarding alternative energy usage programs NY government has specially made plans for installing microgeneration as well as green roof technologies to help NY citizens in using alternative energy resources wisely. The metering employed by the New York legislation helps home owners and business people to earn credits for the surplus power generated by wind turbines, solar panels or any other alternative energy resource methods. Dealings with solar power systems and wind turbines till 2 MW are eligible for credits. Homeowners can get credits for solar power systems till 25 kW and wind turbines till 500 kW. Buildings in NY which have solar power systems or green roofs are eligible for tax benefits.

By making NY as a role model many other metros have started implementing such plans and publicity campaigns to promote energy saving and to educate about the wise use of alternative energy.

[JLB]

Our rural electric co-op is opposed to alternate energy; they are only interested in their coal-burning power plants, and they whine and lobby to reduce the cost of operating them.

Ironically, they use the same arguments for solar and wind they could have used for hydroelectric 20 years ago. Intermittent (the sun is not always shining and the wind is not always blowing and water is not always flowing enough), inability to store, and high intital cost.

Yet, they went ahead and invested in hyrdoelectric 20 years ago, and it makes money for them today.

They are so opposed to alternate energy that they limit research $$$ to voluntary donations.

Yet, other rural co-ops, even her in our state, have successful alternate energy sources.

Speaking of not being able to store wind and solar, the technology to do it on-site is available, and more likely to be made cost-effective that way rather than by a supplier in bulk for distribution. But that would take money out of mtheir pocket by taking customers off the grid. Them they could not rag about things like peak demand periods and future needs.

They talk about having enough coal for 100 years like 100 years is a long time, rather than just during your childrens' children's lifetime.

Anyway, I get tired of them ramming their same selfish editorial spiel down my throat in their monthly magazine.