Author Archives: Western New York Sustainable Energy Association

About Western New York Sustainable Energy Association

We are a group dedicated towards advocating green building techniques and sustainability in Western New York.

WNYSEA to Award the UB Solar Strand on Earth Day!

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PLEASE JOIN
The WNY Sustainable Energy Association on
Earth Day
Monday, April 22nd 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at
the UB Solar Strand
WNYSEA will award the University at Buffalo for their excellence in leadership for the implementation of clean and renewable solar energy. The UB Solar Strand is a large scale solar demonstration project that is responsible for generating power to over 750 college residences on the UB North Campus. Please don’t miss this important event on Earth Day 2013!
Please register for this event in the link below!
We look forward to seeing you there!
The WNY Sustainable Energy Association
www.wnysea.com
www.facebook.com/wnysea

Earth Week

strand

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

from 5:00-6:30pm

UB Solar Strand, Flint Road, across from the Center for Tomorrow

Experience the country’s most accessible solar park for yourself!

Meet Buffalo Niagara’s “Sustainability Igniters”–our local leaders and innovators in environmental sustainability. Interactive texting and technology from GROW 716 will be part of the celebration. In addition, there will be exhibits from local sustainability organizations, local food, music, prize giveaways, and much more!

Preferred bike parking is available at the Solar Strand, automobile parking is available in the Center for Tomorrow lot directly across from the Solar Strand.

And don’t forget Green Drinks immediately following the solar strand at the UB Center for the Arts black box theater. E and E is buying a drink for the first 100 to register! You can Register for our Earth Day Happy Hour here: https://www.ubevents.org/event/inspireafter

Event Alert! Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy!

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Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy
 
7:30 p.m., Monday, November 26
Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, Room 336, Duns Scotus Hall
Free and Open to the Public
 
Keynote Speaker:
Bill Nowak, Sierra Club Energy Committee member, Author of Clean Energy –FIT Report
 
Panelists
·         Dave Hahn Baker, Environmental and Political Consultant
·         Ellen Banks, Professor, Psychology, Daemen College
·         Sarah Carpenter, Sustainability Major, Daemen College
Moderator
·         Walter Simpson, energy educator, Daemen College Instructor (www.energyreallymatters.com)
 
Scientists have been telling us that global warming is likely to result in increasingly devastating extreme weather events as we continue to burn fossil fuels and add more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.  Superstorm Sandy is a horrific example of the type of extreme weather that is in store for us. But how can we respond effectively and achieve a clean energy economy with all due speed?  While renewable energy resources like wind and solar are said to be our future, the deployment of these technologies has been painfully slow despite existing government programs and incentives.  This public discussion will examine how a Feed-in Tariff (FIT) could speed up the transition from fossil fuels to renewables within a timeframe consistent with addressing climate change and providing needed green jobs.  In the last three years a Clean Energy FIT program has created more than 22,000 green jobs in Ontario!  Why not in New York?!
 
This panel discussion is presented as part of the Alternative & Renewable Energy Issues course in Daemen’s Global & Sustainability program.  For information on this exciting new major and minor, visit http://www.daemen.edu/sustainability.  For more information about the panel discussion, wsimpson@daemen.edu or 839-0062.

 

“Ending Coal Burning in Western New York”

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There will be a panel discussion on “Ending Coal Burning in Western New York” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 12th, Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, Room 336, Duns Scotus Hall.  It is free and open to the public.  The panelist include: Penny Messinger, Ph.D., Associate Professor, History and Government Department, Daemen College; Rebecca Newberry, Program Coordinator, Clean Air Coalition of WNY (www.cacwny.org); Kenzie Reynen, Global and Local Sustainability Major, Daemen College; Jennifer Tuttle, Organizer, Sierra Club New York Beyond Coal Campaign (www.beyondcoal.org).
 
The moderator is Walter Simpson (www.energyreallymatters.com) who will begin the session with a presentation on how activists helped prevent the construction of a new coal plant in Jamestown, NY.  The discussion will then turn to the fate of Western New York’s four existing coal plants.
 
Mining coal destroys mountain tops in Appalachia and burning coal releases acid rain and lung cancer and asthma-causing emissions.  In addition, burning coal produces more greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy than any other fossil fuel.  While only 10% of New York’s electricity generation is the result of burning coal, this is responsible for 41% of our state’s greenhouse emissions from power generation.  Most of New York’s coal-burning power plant capacity is located right here in Western New York and all four of these plants are on the brink of closing.  Should we hasten their closure?  Are there clean energy sources that could replace the power these plants produce?  Can we transition away from coal in a manner that respects the communities and employees dependent on these plants?
 
This panel discussion is presented as part of the Alternative & Renewable Energy Issues course in Daemen’s Global & Sustainability program.  For information on this exciting new major and minor, visit http://www.daemen.edu/sustainability.  For more information about the panel discussion, wsimpson@daemen.edu or 839-0062.
 
NOTE: The last panel discussion in this series will be “Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 26th at Daemen College, Room 336 Duns Scotus Hall, featuring a presentation by Bill Nowak on theFeed-in Tariff/CLEAN Energy Proposal.
 

Event Alert: Panel Discussion on Clean Natural Gas – 7:30pm on Monday, October 29th.

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A panel discussion entitled “Clean Natural Gas? Exploring the Challenge of Hydrofracking” will be held at 7:30 p.m., Monday, October 29, in room 336 Duns Scotus Hall at Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst.  The event is free and open to the Public.

The discussion will be preceded by the film, “The Sky is Pink,” produced by Josh Fox and the Gasland Team.  Panelists are David Kowalski, Professor Emeritus; UB CLEAR; Blogs: j.mp/ReEnergizeBuffalo & j.mp/CleanEnergyNow; Scott Sackett, President, Skipping Stone Pictures; Joseph Currier, Mathematics Major, Daemen College; Lynda Schneekloth, Chairperson, Sierra Club Niagara Group (niagarasierraclub.wordpress.com/).  The event will be moderated by Walter Simpson (www.energyreallymatters.com).

 For years natural gas has been also universally regarded as a clean fuel but no longer.  Drilling for gas in deep shale formations using hydraulic fracturing technology has changing everything.  Can fracking be done in an environmentally responsible way, as suggested by an abundance of TV ads?  Or is it too risky?  And do cleaner alternatives exist?  This panel discussion will address these questions and explain the role of citizen action and media in shaping natural gas public policy.
 
This panel discussion is presented as part of the Alternative & Renewable Energy Issues course in Daemen’s Global & Sustainability program.  For information on this exciting new major and minor, visit http://www.daemen.edu/sustainability.  For more information about the panel discussion, wsimpson@daemen.edu or 839-0062.

Today is the Day! Solar & Green Building Tour || 10am – 4pm || Free || Self Guided

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Today is the day!!!

See you at our kickoff awards ceremony at 9:30 – Hispanics United of Buffalo, 254 Virginia St. in Buffalo, NY.

Here is the list! Download it, print it and go.  FINAL Solar & Green Building Tour List – Friday, October 12.

One correction –  If you are interested in seeing the Solar Tech Park in Tonawanda, here is the address.

Montante Development
Solar Technology Park
5201 River Road
Tonawanda, NY  14150
We encourage you to see at least one or two houses today. It will be well worth it!

Come to Our Kickoff Event – 9:30am Tomorrow at 254 Virginia at Hispanics United of Buffalo!

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Join Us at the Solar Tour Kick Off Press Event at Hispanics United of Buffalo – 254 Virginia Street, Buffalo, N.Y. 14201 at 9:30 am!

Don’t Miss the Chance to Win Green Door Prizes!
Memberships to Buffalo First, Buffalo CarShare & Go Bike Buffalo!
Green Transportation! NFTA Day Passes to Get Around on the Solar Tour! While Supplies Last!

Solar & Green Buildings Tour will include:

SOLAR|GEOTHERMAL|NETZERO|ADAPTIVE REUSE|LEED|ENERGY EFFICIENCY|BALE ON BALE & MORE

WNYSEA will be holding the kickoff awards celebration for the annual Solar & Green Building Tour at 9:30am on October 13th at Hispanics United of Buffalo. The address is 254 Virginia St on Buffalo’s West Side.

Hispanics United of Buffalo continues to pour information, outreach, care and love into their community through a variety of initiatives. WNYSEA is proud of Hispanics United of Buffalo for their support and dedication towards energy efficiency and renewable technology. Currently there is a large solar array on the top of their headquarters, you can see if you cross the street. It always bring a smile to our faces to see the excitement from people walking by who notice the array.

Come to the kickoff and check out this community asset. Refreshments, awards and prizes will be given. If you are interested in attending the Solar & Green Building Tour, you can get the entire list of sites here: http://www.energysage.com. Go to “green building open house” and search the sites by zipcode. You will see over 25 sites across the region that show off solar, geothermal, energy efficiency, historic building reuse and more. The event is one day only on October 13th, 2012 and it is free and open to the public. No registration is required! For the official press release click here: 2012 Tour Official Press Release.

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, over 1500 people from across WNY will experience the Solar & Green Building Tour, an annual event held by the Western New York Sustainable Energy Association (WNYSEA). With over 25 sites open across the region, for one day only, attendees will have an opportunity to learn about solar, geothermal, energy efficiency, net zero, green roofs, LEED buildings and reuse of historic structures. This event is not a traditional tour, it is an open house. All sites are open on October 13, 2012 from 10am – 4pm, unless noted otherwise. The event is free, open to the public and no registration is required. A full list of sites is available at www.wnysea.com.

See you on October 13th!

WNYSEA

2012 Tour Sites – The Final List!

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The final list is done!!

You can choose any one of these sites and see it tomorrow from 10am – 4pm, (unless noted differently) for FREE! The final list will be available in print at our kickoff awards ceremony tomorrow morning at 9:30 am at Hispanics United of Buffalo – 254 Virginia St in Buffalo, NY. Please note – the last minute add ons are on the last page.

Download it here, print and go!

FINAL Solar & Green Building Tour List – Friday, October 12.

For more information online about the sites – Go to www.energysage.com  - you can search using your zip code to find the sites nearest to you!

If you have any questions, contact berniceradle@gmail.com

Thank you to our supporters, sponsors and friends for taking part in this wonderful annual event. We appreciate all of your time and efforts!

See you tomorrow!!

 

 

The Solar & Green Building Tour – Saturday, October 13, 2012!

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For Immediate Release - October 12, 2012

The Solar & Green Building Tour of WNY Is Tomorrow!

Buffalo, NY, This Saturday, October 13, 2012, over 1500 people from across WNY will experience the Solar & Green Building Tour, an annual event held by the Western New York Sustainable Energy Association (WNYSEA). With over 35 sites open across the region, for one day only, attendees will have an opportunity to learn about solar, geothermal, energy efficiency, net zero, green roofs, LEED buildings and reuse of historic structures. This event is not a traditional tour, it is an open house. All sites are open on October 13, 2012 from 10am – 4pm unless noted otherwise. The event is free, open to the public and no registration is required. A full list of sites is available at www.wnysea.com.
Buffalo News article:http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121010/BUSINESS/121019934/1005
WNYSEA believes that this event helps to establish a need and demand for green jobs across the region. “Last year we had the largest tour in all of New York State, and this year we plan to go even bigger says Bernice Radle, Co-chair of the 2012 tour. We have confirmed the NFTA Living Roof Bus Shelter, CIR Electric’s moving solar array that moves with the sun to optimize sunlight, Singer Farm Naturals in Wilson and so many others. This is a great opportunity to learn from the folks who live with these technologies every day, not from a sales person trying to convince you to buy in. The Solar and Green Building Tour is an event that educates, inspires and encourages people to take the next step with their home or building.”
WNYSEA will be kicking off the annual event with an awards ceremony at 9:30a.m., on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Hispanics United of Buffalo – 254 Virginia Street on Buffalo’s West Side. WNYSEA will give its annual leader ship award to two organizations; Hispanics United of Buffalo for their efforts in promoting renewable technologies in our region and the Clean Air Coalition for their sustainability and air quality efforts across WNY. The public is welcome to attend. The NFTA will be providing 50 day passes for the metro/bus to encourage public transit which can be picked up at the awards ceremony. Additional prizes will be awarded to the people who attend the kickoff. For the complete list of sites, go to http://www.wnysea.com or http://www.energysage.com . For details or questions, contact Bernice Radle at berniceradle@gmail.com. 
The Western New York Sustainable Energy Association is a non profit 501c3 organization which promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy technologies through exhibits, speakers, programs and events across Western New York. The WNYSEA Tour of Solar Homes and Green Buildings is organized in conjunction with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s Green Buildings Open House, and the American Solar Energy Association’s National Solar Tour, the world’s largest grass roots solar event. The 2012 event celebrates the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, and National Energy Awareness Month.

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Finalizing the Sites!

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We are working hard right now to get all the last minute registered sites online for you to see. As you can imagine, we have a lot of last minute houses/buildings wanting to be a part of this fun event that decide late in the game to participate. That’s perfectly okay with us, the more the better!!

The listing should be out soon. Keep checking in! For all event details check here.

A printed copy  of the listing will be provided for anyone who comes to the kickoff awards ceremony at 9:30am at 254 Virginia St – Hispanics United of Buffalo. Come and kick off the event with us! It will be a great way to start your day.

Thanks,

Bernice Radle, Co – Chair, WNYSEA GBOH

Highlighting A Regional Solar Asset: Montante Solar & The Riverview Solar Technology Park

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Montante Solar is the brain company behind the innovative Riverview Solar Technology Park in Tonawanda. If you haven’t been there, check it out on Saturday! The Montante guys are bringing a new business model to the solar industry in WNY and proving it to be a success.

WNYSEA encourages you to check it out on Saturday, October 13th. Here is the link to their energy sage account. http://energysage.com/projects/riverview-solar-technology-park

Below is a Q&A about Montante Solar and an “about me”.

About MONTANTE SOLAR:

Montante Solar is a Buffalo based installer of solar energy systems on homes and businesses.  As a NYSERDA and NABCEP certified solar installer, Montante Solar specializes in the design, construction, and commissioning of solar energy systems throughout New York State.  Founded in 2009, Montante Solar is the undertaking of brothers, Daniel and Matthew Montante, from within the TM Montante Development organization.  Montante Solar is the exclusive solar installer for Riverview Solar Technology Park in Tonawanda, NY. (new Logo attached)

For more information, Contact Sandra Lister at SLister@TMMontante.com or 716-876-8899

RIVERVIEW SOLAR TECHNOLOGY PARK (RSTP)

Riverview Solar Technology Park is New York’s first Solar Ready commerce park, where commercial real estate development blends seamlessly with solar technology!

  • Demonstrates that RSTP can provide value and clean solar power to consumers of electricity at no additional cost
  • Demonstrates the architecturally aesthetic appeal of commercial solar
  • Demonstrates that solar acts as a direct business development tool (example: Unifrax made their final decision to come to RSTP based on the 100kW solar array provided)

Q: How much energy are you currently offsetting with solar in RSTP?

A: Enough energy to power about 30 homes.  This is the equivalent of taking 535 cars off the road, OR Not importing 6,300 barrels of oil, OR planting 580 acres of forest!

Q: What are your future solar plans for RSTP?

A: We will dedicate underutilized land banks to large scale solar to accommodate current & future tenants

Q: What do you say to people that don’t think Solar can work in Buffalo? / What about all the snow in Buffalo?

A: Solar works in Buffalo BECAUSE of the cold weather.  (data centers locate here because cold plays well with technology)

We get more average annual sun hours here in Buffalo than in Germany – the world’s largest end market for solar.

For more information, Contact Sandra Lister at SLister@TMMontante.com or 716-876-8899