Governor Paterson has made it known that he will sign what is called the Net-Metering Bill if the Legislature ever gets it to his desk.
Net-metering refers to the credits utility customers receive for putting electricity back into the grid from wind, solar and biomass technologies. The option has been limited to residential and farm customers.
Net-Metering would extend the “sell back” benefit to municipal governments and schools powered by solar and wind technologies. This; at a time when the state is pushing toward a goal of 25% renewable energy use by 2013, should be no surprise.
City Hall, Kingston High School and the two local hospitals could participate in the Net-Metering program as well as reduce the demand on the Central Hudson supply. There must be grants to help with such an investment. I bet we could find some if we looked.
If any building needed attention regarding power efficiency, it would be City Hall. It wasn’t built with fuel conservation in mind. Heating and cooling that monster takes plenty of energy. I wonder if the Governor would consider new thermal repro windows for our historic landmark? But I digress.
Net-metering refers to the credits utility customers receive for putting electricity back into the grid from wind, solar and biomass technologies. The option has been limited to residential and farm customers.
Net-Metering would extend the “sell back” benefit to municipal governments and schools powered by solar and wind technologies. This; at a time when the state is pushing toward a goal of 25% renewable energy use by 2013, should be no surprise.City Hall, Kingston High School and the two local hospitals could participate in the Net-Metering program as well as reduce the demand on the Central Hudson supply. There must be grants to help with such an investment. I bet we could find some if we looked.
If any building needed attention regarding power efficiency, it would be City Hall. It wasn’t built with fuel conservation in mind. Heating and cooling that monster takes plenty of energy. I wonder if the Governor would consider new thermal repro windows for our historic landmark? But I digress.Those of us who have created our own solar and wind power as residents have sold back the extra electricity to Central Hudson. This will allow small business to join in and provide a real incentive to invest in the self sufficient, albeit, expensive equipment for local entrepreneurs.
Thank you Governor Paterson.
Thank you Governor Paterson.
2 comments:
Mike, you made mention of the school, city hall and the hosp, but what about the mixed use buildings uptown? Did they counts as residential before? What arent more property owners installing these photo-cell panels everywhere?
If the system pays for itself in ten years, why arent more GREEN people investing? Enough with the composting, lets beat back Central Hudson.
I believe the mixed use stockade district for the most part, was already eligible. Buildings like the new Armor Dynamics, Wonderly's and MidTown Lanes werent until this Bill passes.
The cost is prohibitive at this point, to expect everyone to jump on. What you'll find, is community based programs to share crops, local resources and increase recycling as a way to lessen the drain on services and our pocketBook, But until mass manufacturing brings the price down, you'll see very few solar panels in the near future.
So, insulate your attic this fall, fill your fuel tank with the last few dollars you've got and hold on.
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