News

Coxsackie mayor releases energy plan

By Billie Dunn

COXSACKIE — Village of Coxsackie Mayor John Bull has released a draft energy plan, which he hopes will help save the municipality money as winter approaches.

“The choices we make today in this community will not only save us money and protect our environment, but they have the ability to help bring security and prosperity to future generations,” said Bull, “With the Village’s energy costs skyrocketing we need both short term and long term investments.”

Bull says that employee involvement and commitment can make or break the energy plan’s efforts, and he hopes the plan will educate the Vilalge’s employees as well as its citizens.

The plan is organized into three sections, beginning with short term solutions, where Bull suggests weather-stripping around moveable joints such as windows and doors, and turning off personal computers, monitors, printers, copiers and lights.

Bull’s plan recommends choosing a location-appropriate weather-stripping product for individual areas throughout a building. He notes that felt and open-cell foams tend to be inexpensive and susceptible to weather, but because these products aren’t ideal for blocking airflow, they are best in low traffic areas. Other — though slightly more expensive — weather stripping products include vinyl, and metals such as bronze, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum.

According to Bull, the D.M. Hamilton building in Coxsackie has over a one-inch opening underneath its main entrance.

He also notes that many appliances continue to draw small amounts of power, even when they are turned off, and says that 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is actually consumed with the products are turned off.

Part two includes strategies for long-term energy savings through two measures: programmable thermostats, and added insulation.

“In the short term, starting this winter, we must implement temperature controls and perform simple, low-cost energy saving repairs to our buildings,” said Bull. “Simple steps — including weather stripping and increasing insulation — will have a significant impact.”

Bull’s energy plan says modern thermostats can be programmed for up to four different blocks of time, seven days a week — and they can start at just $50.

The final part of Bull’s plan examines LED street lighting — a trend that is expected to save Anchorage, Alaska $360,000 a year — as well as alternative energy options, including solar power.

Under “putting your roof to work,” the plan outlines environmental and financial incentives to solar power, including the potential to reduce the production of carbon dioxide and dependence on fossil fuels, and creating clean, affordable energy.

“The rising cost of fuel, oil, and energy is one of the biggest challenges facing not only our Village, but our nation as a whole. We must look to reduce our energy costs through efficiency and conservation,” said Bull. “By reducing energy consumption and implementing a variety of lower cost alternative energy sources we are able to move away from fossil fuels. This will reduce both our energy expenses and our impact on the environment,” he said.

Bull says that now that the Village is on “more stable” financial footing, it’s time to create a capital reserve fund so that the Village is prepared to implement energy savings programs, such as solar panels and LED street lights.

He submitted the draft plan to the board at last month’s meeting, and he hopes to get feedback to begin implementing the plan before the end of the year.

“I want to have further conversations and get input from the rest of the board, but the draft plan will kind of always be a draft, because it should evolve and change over time, with technology,” said Bull, who will make copies of the plan available at the Village building.

To reach reporter Billie Dunn, please call 518-943-2100 ext. 3323 or e-mail bdunn@thedailymail.net.

Reader Comments

Submit a Comment