A Message from Assemblywoman Sandy Galef - 2006 Energy Fair

A message from

Assemblywoman
Sandy
Galef

ENERGY FAIR
Saturday, March 25th

March 2006

Dear Constituent:

I invite you to join me at my third bi-annual Energy Fair on March 25th in Croton-on-Hudson. Since my first Energy Fair in 2000, there have been changes in how we look at the issue of energy. It is no longer just an environmental concern, but a political one as well. More products and services are becoming available to lessen our use of fossil fuel and turn to renewable, clean sources. At the Energy Fair, you will learn how to survey your home and business to cut back on wasted energy, use new products to operate your vehicle and heat your home, and learn how to tap into wind, solar, and geothermal sources.

In the lower Hudson Valley we use more energy than the rest of the state, according to the New York State Independent System Operator (NYISO), a nonprofit corporation established in 1999 to facilitate the restructuring of New York’s electric industry. NYISO’s latest report says that in 2008 our region will need energy system reinforcements equivalent to 500 MW of capacity. That could come from more transmission lines, more generation of energy, more conservation, or a combination of all three.

I believe that reliability, security, and availabilty of sufficient energy is critical to our quality of life and economic well being. Energy issues have been and will continue to be a priority of mine. There are ways, small and large, that we can make a difference. The Energy Fair is one way to learn more about what we can do individually. See you there.

2 Church Street
Ossining, NY 10562
Phone: 914-941-1111
Fax: 914-941-9132

Sincerely,
signature
Sandy Galef
Member of the Assembly

New York State Assemblywoman
Sandy Galef’s

2006
ENERGY FAIR

Saturday, March 25
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Croton Municipal Building
1Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson

Learn About:

	New York’s Energy Programs
	Energy Tax Credit Programs
	Solar Energy
	Geothermal Energy
	Biodiesel Fuel
	Vegetable Oil Fuel
	Hybrid Vehicles
	Home Energy Evaluation
	Energy Cost Reduction
	Ride-Sharing Programs
	Clean Energy Advocacy

2006 Energy Fair Exhibitors

New York Power Authority — NYPA is the country’s largest state-owned power organization that provides some of the lowest-cost electricity in the state, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. The low-cost power programs it administers play a significant role in helping the State’s economic development. Learn more at the Fair.

New York State Energy and Research Development Authority — NYSERDA will answer questions about energy savings in your home or business. You will hear about how Home Performance with ENERGY STAR can help lower your energy bills and how a certified contractor can perform a Comprehensive Home Assessment.

New York Department of Public Service — The PSC was the agency to open the state’s electric industry to competition so customers have retail choice by selecting their supplier. They will help you decide which electric and gas company to choose and help you to find “green” energy producers, such as wind, to heat and cool your home.

Croton Exxon Station and A1Sun Solar — The local Croton-on-Hudson Exxon station heats and cools its business through solar panels installed by A1Sun Solar. Attendees can view the installation in the Village and hear the installer discuss the advantages of Photovoltaic (PV) panels as a green source of renewable power.

The Solar Center — This solar energy supplier and installer will discuss the many benefits of solar electric and thermal systems to homes and businesses. For solar thermal systems, the federal tax credit can cover as much as 20-25% of the cost, and the New York State tax credit can cover as much as another 40-50%.

Choose Green Energy — This firm offers solar electric, solar heating, insulation, and is a member of the NYSERDA Home Performance EnergyStar program. It offers Home Energy Audits to help homeowners reduce their energy bills and will discuss energy saving tips.

Ossining Public Library — Ossining is building a new $15.8 million library with geothermal energy for heat and cooling. It won’t have a boiler, but will be climate-controlled with the help of 55 degree water, pumped some 880 feet from below ground. As much as 90% of the light needed will be from the sun.

Sclafani Petroleum — This company offers biodiesel, a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources that contains no petroleum. The fuel can be used in compression-ignition engines with little or no modifications and also for home heating. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, sulfur-free and non-aromatic.

Wally’s Super Service — Wally’s auto repair shop converts cars and trucks from diesel fuel to vegetable oil fuel. Wally will have on display a pickup truck that he converted to the clean fuel formula that uses a small amount of diesel to help warm the engine, with the rest being vegetable oil. The vehicles run just as powerfully as those that use soot-producing fuels.

Croton Auto Park — Croton Auto Park will have a Chevrolet Silverado for you to test drive. The full-size pickup truck has a hybrid system that saves fuel and offers a 2400-watt built-in generator. The Silverado V-8 hybrid pickup truck provides a 10% fuel economy savings and can haul and tow as much as non-hybrid pickups.

Robison Oil — Robison features heating oil, electricity, and natural gas supply, air conditioning, heating equipment service and installation as well as plumbing service. Robison has a new line of service to help lower costs, from programmable thermostats to entirely new heating and cooling systems. It also has a professional energy auditor.

SOS Garage Doors — SOS provides insulated, efficient garage doors to lower energy bills. Weather stripping around the door’s edges do a better job of keeping cold air out during winter. Garage doors that are more than 30% of a home’s exterior are one way that energy escapes.

MetroPool, Inc — The state Department of Transportation has contracted with MetroPool to be part of New York’s ride-sharing program. MetroPool provides vans for commuters from Westchester County into New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. The program is expanding to other parts of the Hudson Valley region.

Croton Sustainable Energy Cooperative — This citizens group is an information clearinghouse on energy issues. It works with Croton village officials to save future energy dollars via an energy survey of government facilities. The Cooperative has simple solutions like compact fluorescent bulbs.

Cortlandt WATCH — This homeowners group will discuss ways to create a citizens’ organization, raise awareness about energy issues, and work with local government to impact energy issues. It most recently held an energy fair in the town of Cortlandt.

Energy Fair Sponsors:

Town of Cortlandt
Town of Philipstown
Town of Putnam Valley
Village of Croton-on-Hudson
Cortlandt Land Trust

Hudson Highlands Land Trust
Scenic Hudson
PACE School of Law
Cortlandt WATCH
Hollowbrook Water Watch
Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce
Mahopac Chamber of Commerce
Putnam Valley Residents Coalition
Action For Tomorrow’s Environment
PlanPutnam
Cortlandt Conservation Advisory Council
Federated Conservationists of Westchester
Croton Sustainable Energy Coalition
Ossining Public Library

New State Energy Laws
This is a brief overview of some new laws. Call me for details.

Solar Energy

Exempts the sale and installation of residential solar energy system equipment from sales and compensating use taxes. (Chapter 306)
Establishes a solar energy system personal income tax credit. (Chapter 378)

Vehicle Fuel

Extends the tax credit allowed for clean-fuel vehicle refueling property. (Chapter 310)

Energy Incentives

Extends low-cost energy incentives to help attract and retain jobs and businesses. (Chapter 313)

Fuel Cells

Authorizes fuel cell electric generating equipment credits against the corporation tax and franchise tax on businesses and modifies such credit against the personal income tax. (Chapter 446)

State Energy Dollars For Homeowners

The Legislature has expanded the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to help offset high home heating bill costs for the elderly and families of modest means. The State has added its own $100 million to the federally funded program which is managed by the county governments. Program open until April 14th. Dollars given on first come, first served basis. Have questions about HEAP? In Westchester County call 914-995-5619. In Putnam County, those sixty or older, call 845-225-1034, extension 112, those under sixty call 845-225-7040, extension 1228.

Energy Gouging? Numbers to Call

Think that you are being overcharged in your home energy bill? Call the New York State Public Service Commission help line at 800-342-3377.

Overcharged at the gas pump? Call State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s help line at 800-771-7755.

Galef Named Committee Chair
For Real Property Taxes

I have a new responsibility in Albany as Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Real Property Taxation. Much of the Committee’s work involves legislation relating to the administration of real property tax exemptions in New York State including the School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption program and the exemption for disabled homeowners. There are other exemption programs to encourage economic development or the construction or rehabilitation of housing. You will hear more about this Committee as we set our new priorities and introduce specific legislation, including school financing.

Constituent Survey Results

This winter was a wonderful time to hear from you through my newsletter survey and also meet with you in person at the six town meetings held throughout my district.

As of February 22nd, 850 of you indicated the following:

61%	*would not* eliminate the city, town, or village they live in and consolidate with a surrounding community.

69%	*would* merge some services in their city, town, or village with that of a neighboring government.

61%	*would not* merge their entire school district with a neighboring one.

68%	*would* merge some services of their school district with a neighbor.

78%	*would* favor civil confinement after prison for violent, convicted sex offenders judged a continuing threat. (The Assembly and Senate is currently conducting a series of committee meetings on this issue.)

89%	*would* require better gas mileage for new vehicles

73%	*say yes, childhood obesity is a private matter for parents. 43% say yes, it is a public health issue for schools to teach nutrition and eliminate unhealthy food & drink on premises. (The total is over 100% because some selected both choices.)*

73%	*favor both* phone and sirens to notify residents of emergencies at Indian Point.

Thanks to all who attended my town meetings,
including Kent (left) and Putnam Valley (right).

The New York State Legislature LIVE

One of the reforms that I have been working on is making the business of the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public by broadcasting our sessions. This reform is now reality. You can follow state government’s workings over the air, the same as you can with national and local government.

Live audio and video of the State Assembly Legislative Session is available on most local cable systems. To learn how to tune-in, click here. For the State Senate, go to: www.senate.state.ny.us.

“On The Air” With Sandy Galef

Tune-in to my two half-hour television shows that air on Cablevision,
featuring state and community issues:

“Speakout with Sandy Galef” (State Issue-Oriented)

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.	Channels 15/96, Peekskill/Ossining System

Mondays, 6:00 p.m.	Channel 22, Yorktown/Cross River System

Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m.	Channel 21, Wappinger Falls System

“Dear Sandy” (Community-Oriented)

Fridays, 9:00 p.m.	Channels 15/96, Peekskill/Ossining System

Fridays, 5:30 p.m.	Channel 22, Yorktown/Cross River System

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.	Channel 21, Wappinger Falls System

In the Kent/Carmel area, please check your SusCom Cable listings.

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