The prospect of Climate Change for our area looms large and the extent of change will most probably be influenced by where we get our energy in the future. Find out about energy and how it relates to Rochester. Also, discover alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly.  Rochester, because of its many schools of higher education, is becoming an innovative leader in developing many kinds of renewable energy sources.

Energy Use in Rochester New York

       Wind Power (Wind Farms, Electricity generating windmills, whatever) - Are they a boon or a nuisance?  Check out this full resource page for Windmills in our area for news and events on wind power in our area.

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Rochester-area news on Energy use.

Online Resources for Rochester-area Energy

  Tips for Conserving Energy- Monroe County: A Leader in Promoting Alternative Energy and Protecting our Natural Resources - In March 2004, County Executive Maggie Brooks announced a bold, new County initiative designed to reduce Monroe County energy related expenses while fostering greater reliance on homegrown renewable energy.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - County Executive Brooks Announces Opening of Home Energy Assistance Program for 2005-2006 - County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that the 2005-2006 heating season’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will open on November 1st this year. "The projected rise in heating costs has many residents, especially seniors, worried about the cost of heating their homes during the winter months," said Brooks. "This federally funded program can be a lifeline for those on fixed incomes or those struggling to make ends meet. Last winter, HEAP was able to serve 35,000 Monroe County households. This year, we anticipate that even more households may find themselves in need of assistance." --from Monroe County

Project House "The Project H.O.U.S.E. survey is designed to motivate and involve individuals and families in lightening our "ecological footprint" upon the earth. What you can do starts in your own living room, kitchen, basement, bath, yard, etc. You can participate in Project HOUSE to begin better lifestyle habits regarding your own energy use and waste production. The time required amounts to only about 10-15 minutes a week for 5 weeks, plus the time you need to write down your ideas for saving energy and resources in your household, and giving feedback. Specifically, once each week for five weeks you will measure your use of water, natural gas, electricity, gasoline (vehicle mileage), plus your trash, recyclables, and compostables."

Chose your energy provider: The days where you got your energy because of where you were are over. Now you have a choice. "The website below lists all of the choices with info about each (like cost). You have to enter your zip code to have it list your choices. There is a checkmark that you can select that shows the breakdown in percentages of the energy sources. If the checkmark is green, at least 50% of it's source is renewable. So far, this is the most I've been able to find re: how environmentally friendly each choice is. It requires a moderate amount of work to be done by the consumer. " from Bob Siegel, Chairperson of the Energy Committee of the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club.*** Residential Electric Offers for VICTOR NY 14564 : ENERGYguide.com - Lower Your Energy Bills

 Check out the Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer  site about how to conserver energy: NYSOAG: Consumer Tips: Energy Conservation Tips Energy Conservation -Five Ways the Consumer Can Reduce Electricity Consumption, Reduce Electricity Bills and Reduce Harmful Air Emissions from Power Plants.

 Learn more about renewable Energy: Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association The Renewable Energy Association is a non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes, and publicly demonstrates renewable energy technologies. National interest in safe sustainable energy technologies is growing daily. With utility restructuring occurring all over the country, the opportunity for customer choice of greener energy consumption has never been greater. Will your choice mean greener energy? The Renewable Energy Association invites you to explore that possibility and learn about the world of renewable energy.

Let us make this energy plan work for our area: Democrat & Chronicle: Wind power now an option (April 20, 2004) — Starting today, electricity customers of Rochester Gas & Electric can get all or some of their power from wind turbines based in New York. It’s a first for the state, which hopes to buy 25 percent of its electrical power from alternative sources by 2012. Customers have three ways to sign up: Through a form coming with the normal bill in May, on the Internet ( www.rge.com ) or by calling (877) 743-9463.

Choosing your electricity in Rochester: RG&E: <i>Voice Your Choice</i> for Your Electricity Supply The RG&E Voice Your Choice program is required by New York State Public Service Commission policy to further customer choice. As a RG&E electric customer, you may purchase your electricity supply from RG&E or an energy services company (ESCO). You can select either a fixed or variable price option for your electricity supply. The RG&E delivery charge is a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kwh) and will be the same regardless of the supplier or pricing option you choose. Just 3 steps to choosing your electricity supply

Ginna Nuclear Power Plant  R.E.  Constellation Energy Group R.E.  Ginna Nuclear Power Plant is located on 410 acres along the south shores of Lake Ontario in Ontario, NY - about 20 miles northeast of Rochester and 53 miles southwest of Constellation Energy’s Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. Constellation Energy bought Ginna, a pressurized one-unit water reactor generating 490 MWs, on June 10, 2004. Approximately 444 Constellation Energy employees run the power plant, making enough electricity for about 125,000 homes.   Also, get a report on Ginna from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission: NRC: Ginna

  NY RPS Proceeding On February 19, 2003, the Public Service Commission instituted this proceeding to develop and implement a renewable portfolio standard for electric energy retailed in New York State to address increasing concerns with the climate effects of, and over-dependence on, fossil-fired generation.  The 2002 State Energy Plan required that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority examine and report on the feasibility of establishing a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). NYSERDA's preliminary report found that an RPS can be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the wholesale and retail marketplace in New York and that an RPS has the potential to improve energy security and help diversify the state's electricity generation mix. The report also states the expectation that an RPS would spur increased economic development opportunities in the renewables industry, including the attraction of renewable technology manufacturers and installers. Accordingly, this proceeding has been instituted to develop and implement a renewable portfolio standard for electric energy retailed in New York State.

 We should all consider how fuel efficient our vehicles are:  Fuel Economy | US EPA IMPORTANT REMINDER: EPA's fuel economy estimates are designed to allow consumers to comparison shop. Your fuel economy will almost certainly vary from EPA's fuel economy rating. This is based on a number of factors, such as weather, road conditions, your driving and maintenance habits, and your use of air conditioning. For more information on how your fuel economy can vary, or tips to improve your fuel economy, please visit Your MPG Will Vary and Gas Mileage Tips on www.fueleconomy.gov . --from Gas Guzzlers May Be Regulated - Pickup trucks, minivans and most SUV's may have to get better gas mileage in coming years. The federal government is expected to complete its overhaul of fuel economy rules for those types of vehicles next week. The rules would require the auto industry to raise standards for light trucks beginning in 2008.  (March 23, 2006) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens

EERE: State Energy Program The State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices from technology programs in DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

More Energy related web sites in window below: (Please note: links below open in a new window.)

Green Ribbon Pledge Join the 5,600 people who have taken the pledge to conserve energy for a secure future! There are hundreds of things you can do every day to reduce energy consumption. And cutting down energy use is the single most important thing you can do to secure our future from the negative effects of unreliable, unstable and environmentally damaging energy sources.

Rochester-area News on Energy and the Environment. (Please note: links below open in a new window.)

Resources for Energy

•  NYSERDA - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature. NYSERDA administers the New York Energy $martSM program, which is designed to support certain public benefit programs during the transition to a more competitive electricity market. Some 2,700 projects in more than 30 programs are funded by a charge on the electricity transmitted and distributed by the State's investor-owned utilities. The New York Energy $martSM program provides energy efficiency services, including those directed at the low-income sector, research and development, and environmental protection activities.
•  Clean Air & Energy: Transportation: In Depth: Report Exhausted by Diesel How America's Dependence on Diesel Engines Threatens Our Health --Natural Resources Defense Council 
•  Ask PSC Welcome to the NYS Public Service Commission's consumer information website. Contact us at Ask A Question below or visit the NYS Department of Public Service. Ask PSC: Utility services: Electricity, Ask PSC: Utility services: Natural Gas
•  Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) at (800) 363-3732 or access our ASES Home Tour web site at http://www.ases.org/hometr/index.php.
•   "Detailed information on vehicle fuel economy, including a downloadable version of the Fuel Economy guide can be found at www.fueleconomy.gov, a website maintained jointly by EPA and the Department of Energy. The web site allows users to compare side-by-side fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions and
  estimated annual fuel costs."
•  Rochester Gas & Electric -- Find out ways to save on your energy bill, news and current events, special gas heating cost and much more. 
•  Green Energy News: Green Energy News is a free access information source for news relating to clean, efficient and renewable energy, its applications, technology and relevant issues.  Covering clean, renewable and efficient energy for transportation, industry and home. Technology - Issues - Policy - Business
•  Alliance to Save Energy - A coalition of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide. Lots of helpful tips, and true believers can sign up to have the "e-FFICIENCY NEWS" delivered to their e-mail boxes.
•  American Solar Energy Society: The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is a national organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the global environment. ASES promotes the widespread near-term and long-term use of solar energy. ASES sponsors the National Solar Energy Conference, publishes SOLAR TODAY magazine and Advances in Solar Energy, publishes white papers, sponsors issue Roundtables in Washington, DC, distributes solar publications, organizes a Solar Action Network and has regional chapters throughout the country. ASES is the United States Section of the International Solar Energy Society.
•  Rochester-Genesee Transportation Authority Headquartered on Main Street in Rochester and governed by 11 commissioners, RGRTA oversees public transportation in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Wayne and Wyoming counties. It also serves as the host agency to a planning organization known as the Genesee Transportation Council
•  The Business Council for Sustainable Energy ( BCSE)  The BCSE was created in 1992 by business leaders from the natural gas, energy efficiency, renewable energy, independent power and electric utility industries who share a commitment to economic growth through sustainable energy development. Our mission is to realize the nation's economic, environmental and national security goals through the rapid deployment of more efficient and less polluting energy technologies and fuels.
•  Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) Title III, Federal Requirements --The actual name of Title III in the legislation is "Alternative Fuels-General", but it primarily deals with the Federal alternative fuel vehicle requirements.
•  Clean Cities The Clean Cities Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, supports public-private partnerships that deploy alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and build supporting infrastructure. By encouraging AFV use, the Clean Cities Program helps enhance energy security and environmental quality at both the national and local levels.
•  RenewableEnergyWorks! is about making the world a better place. This website is about education: we not only explain RE technologies, we start by explaining why it is imperative to incorporate Renewable Energy into our lives today. In addition to the wealth of information to be found on our site, we offer an information packed Catalog, Free Tours and affordable Seminars. Our goal is to educate you before you make your purchase. No online credit cards or sales pressure here - when you are ready to make a purchase, please give us a call.
•  US Department of Energy -- Vast amount of official information on energy.  Phone: 1-800-363-3732
•  Alternative Energy  --from Millennialtrust.com  Major sites that provide information on alternative for our energy needs. 
•  FossilEnergy.gov: The Energy Department's Fossil Energy organization is made up of about 1000 scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative staff. Its headquarters offices are in downtown Washington, DC, and in Germantown, Maryland. The organization also has field offices in Morgantown, West Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Tulsa, Oklahoma; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Casper, Wyoming. This site includes A National Energy Policy.
•  Welcome to the Renewable Fuels Association  As the national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been working as the "Voice of the Ethanol Industry" since 1981 to secure a strong marketplace for ethanol. Ethanol is sold nationwide as a high-octane fuel that delivers improved vehicle performance while reducing emissions and improving air quality. By reducing foreign oil imports, ethanol creates American jobs and provides value-added markets to bolster agriculture and rural America. In the midst of record growth, the ethanol industry will continue to play a larger role in meeting our nation's energy needs.
•  National Corn Growers Association NCGA is a national organization founded in 1957 and represents more than 31,000 dues-paying corn growers from 48 states. NCGA also represents the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute to corn checkoff programs in 19 states. NCGA is a federation of state organizations, corn boards, councils and commissions, which develops and implements polices and programs on a state and national level to help protect and advance the corn producer's interests.
•  EcoGen - the future generation....... A small company based in mid-Wales, EcoGen Projects Ltd. aims to provide support to local land owners and communities groups who wish to develop renewable forms of energy generation within their locality. We are able to facilitate with the identification and validification of potential renewable energy sites, obtaining any additional Power Purchase Agreements and other contractual requirements and the acquisition of the necessary planning permissions - supported by the process of Environmental Impact Assessment where appropriate. This approach negates the need for an external developer or owner and ensures that local benefits from the development are maximised.
•  Wilderness Society :: Energy - Resources
•  SELENE Home Page Light pollution is rapidly degrading the sky's quiet majesty and our nighttime environment. Excessive and misdirected outdoor illumination wastes precious energy, resources, and dollars; it increases power plant-generated air pollution, causes glare that blinds drivers and pedestrians, intrudes onto our property, and invades our privacy.
•  SolarAccess.com | Calendar of Renewable Energy Events SolarAccess.com was started in 1998 by a group of Renewable Energy professionals who wanted their work to relate to their passion for solar energy, wind power and other forms of renewable energy. With this passion for Renewable Energy and our desire to create a long term sustainable (and, of course, wildly successful) business, we have created perhaps the single most recognized and trusted source for Renewable Energy on the Internet.
•  Strategic Petroleum Reserve
•  UCS -- Nuclear Reactor Security The Union of Concerned Scientists has grave concerns about the safety of nuclear power. Check out this site for a complete description of the safety issues involved. --Find out about Clean Energy. http://www.ucsusa.org/index.html
•  NRC: Home Page The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to regulate civilian use of nuclear materials. NRC is headed by a five-member Commission. The NRC's mission is to regulate the Nation's civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment.
•  Northeast Sustainable Energy Association The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the nations's leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of energy conservation and non-polluting, renewable energy technologies. We work to bring clean electricity, green transportation, and healthy, efficient buildings into everyday use in order to improve the environment, protect human health, and nurture local economies. For more than a quarter century, NESEA has facilitated and enhanced a network of professionals, practitioners, and other citizens in pursuit of responsible energy use. Our programs and activities focus on the northeastern United States (from Washington, DC to Maine).
•  SELENE Home Page Sensible and Efficient Lighting To Enhance the Nighttime Environment _ Light pollution is rapidly degrading the sky's quiet majesty and our nighttime environment. Excessive and misdirected outdoor illumination wastes precious energy, resources, and dollars; it increases power plant-generated air pollution, causes glare that blinds drivers and pedestrians, intrudes onto our property, and invades our privacy
•  PATRIOT'S ENERGY PLEDGE The Patriot's Energy Pledge is a civic campaign to help Americans reduce our dependence on oil, by taking personal steps to meet our transportation needs in more fuel-efficient ways. We believe that every American driver can reduce oil use dramatically, while maintaining lifestyle and safety. By taking the pledge, you will save at the pump, help the environment and make our nation more secure.
•  NRC: R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant - License Renewal Application
•  US Nuclear Power Plant Addresses and WWW Sites This list identifies the owners and/or operating companies and Mapquest locations for US power plants. Maps are linked from plant names. Websites are linked from the company names.
•  Coal Research Center
•  Independent Power Producers of New York "It is the Mission of The Independent Power Producers of New York to assist its member companies in becoming the premier providers of electricity in New York State." Independent Power Producers of New York
  19 Dove Street - Suite 302 - Albany NY 12210 t: 518-436-3749 f: 518-436-0369
•  Citizens Awareness Network - Welcome We are a grassroots, volunteer organization concerned with environmental pollution and health issues surrounding exposure to toxins. The scientific community and the nuclear industry have undermined citizen's confidence in their ability to understand atomic power and its effects. CAN seeks to demystify these issues, with the goal of enabling citizens to reclaim democratic control over their environment and develop strategies for the prevention and elimination of pollution.
•  NGSA.org - The Natural Gas Supply Association Online The Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA) represents the majority of the large integrated and independent companies that produce and market natural gas in the United States. Founded in 1965, NGSA's mission is to pursue regulatory and legislative issues that foster a growing and competitive natural gas environment, while at the same time improving members' business operations. NGSA has a long established reputation and relationship with Congress and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), providing natural gas producers as a whole one voice on issues in Washington
•  Center for Resource Solutions The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), based in San Francisco, brings together diverse interests to implement practical resource solutions. Our national and international programs promote clean and efficient energy use, encourage sustainable economic growth, and help preserve the environment for present and future generations.
•  www.EyeOnEnergy.org . For quick, informative articles on the latest happenings in the world of electric deregulation, nuclear power, nuclear waste, renewable energy, and Congressional legislation affecting energy issues, check it out!
•  Nuclear Policy Research Institute: Creating Consensus for a Nuclear Free Future The Nuclear Policy Research Institute (NPRI) was established to educate the American public through the mass media about the greatest single threat to our country's -- and indeed the world's -- public health, namely the profound medical, environmental, political and moral consequences of perpetuating nuclear weapons, power and waste. NPRI is led by Dr. Helen Caldicott, Founding President of Physicians for Social Responsibility (1978-83) and Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND); and executive director, Julie R. Enszer. NPRI seeks to create a consensus of commitment to end the nuclear age by mounting public education campaigns, establishing a pervasive presence in the mainstream media, and by sponsoring high-profile symposia.