Deutsche Bank has solar panels at its New York headquarters. You can tap into solar too.
By Carol Tannenhauser
If you can change a light bulb, you can help combat global warming and contribute to New York City’s key strategy for reducing its carbon footprint: energy efficiency.
That was the consensus of a panel of experts at an Upper West Side Clean Energy Forum, co-sponsored by City Council Member Helen Rosenthal and the Sierra Club, on Monday night at Rutgers Presbyterian Church on West 73rd Street.
Rosenthal organized the forum in response to President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s June 2nd Executive Order, committing New York City to the principles and goals of the Accord.
“It’s up to us to protect the planet at this very local level,” Rosenthal told a crowd of about 150. “Over two-thirds of the city’s carbon emissions come from buildings. They are a by-product of the energy used to light and heat and cool our homes and workplaces.”
Helen Rosenthal speaks at the Upper West Side Clean Energy Forum.
“I want to reinforce the energy efficiency part of this conversation,” said Sharon Griffith, a project manager at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA.) “You want to make sure you have LED bulbs in your apartment; make sure when you buy appliances they are energy-star rated; turn off your lights; turn off your computers; turn off your screens. Just really look at how you’re using electricity.”
“Did you know Con Ed has an online marketplace that lists energy-efficiency scores as well as prices?” asked Alison Kling, a senior specialist at Con Edison. “You can shop around for appliances not just from a financial perspective, but energy efficiency as well,” Kling said. “Definitely look within your own apartment to get those” energy efficiency measures done.”
Then, you can move on to ESCOs.
If you receive an individual Con Ed bill, you can choose your energy supplier, or Energy Service Company – ESCO. Before the New York State energy market was deregulated in 1996, Con Ed was both your energy supplier and distributor. Now it is only the distributor – the tangle of pipes and wires lying underground that brings electricity to your building. Con Ed purchases the power from ESCOs, which depend to differing degrees on renewable energy sources.
It sounds complicated, but was actually well explained by community activist Donna Romo, who stood up and said, “You get a piece of paper from Con Ed that shows you every single ESCO and what percentage comes from where – solar, wind, whatever. That’s how I chose one. Just look at your bill.”
If you don’t get an individual bill, Kling suggests going to your management company or co-op board to work on solutions for your whole building.
“Here in New York City, heating and hot water actually account for the greatest share of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings,” added Jenna Tatum, senior policy advisor with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.
“It is essential to think about your heating system, and that’s more difficult because, as an apartment dweller, you might not regularly go into your boiler room. But your building manager should know what’s going on with the heating system. In many cases, you are, in fact, burning fossil fuels on site.”
Noah Ginsburg represented Solar One, a local environmental-education nonprofit, founded on the belief that all New Yorkers can engage in solutions to climate change…and that solar energy should be accessible to everyone.”
Admittedly, that is more challenging for us roofless city folk. Nevertheless, said Ginsburg, “There are almost 10,000 solar solutions in the five boroughs and that number is growing every day. Even renters can engage in solar through a new opportunity called ‘community shared solar,’ where you can participate in a remotely located solar-power system and receive credits on your utility bill.”
For more information about this opportunity and other topics and resources covered at the forum, consult the following packet, compiled by Sarah Crean, Helen Rosenthal’s communications director.
Are more solar panels made in U.S.A. ? STOP apt. buildings, taller than 10 storeys. How @ using a solar Oven ? REmember the t.v.program, “Mr. Wizard “, ? n.b. sun-brewed Tea. STOP destroying S.R.O.s. Are there any lodging houses, theatrical boarding houses; boarding houses for Basque shepherds in our State of Idaho ?
There is a lack of imagination. You can build green skyscrapers that work in with the natural habitat in harmony. Here is an example of what is going on in Singapore.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/singapore-greenest-city/index.html
This is in addition to solar panels, rooftop agriculture, and the litany of things this city can do. I just feel that we are not informed of all the avenues open to us.
I think you have nailed it. I agree with you on this Wendy.
ESCOs? No. And solar is difficult to implement on a typical high rise building. Not enough room for solar panels to make a difference. Replacing those old #4 fuel oil boilers with modern gas-fired boilers will make a difference. If Con Ed has a high pressure gas line nearby. NYC is already a highly efficient place with few people owning cars and most of the population living in small apartments.
Why ESCOs no?
I’ll have what she’s having.
Re: ““Over two-thirds of the city’s carbon emissions come from buildings.”
REALLY? So what about carbon emissions from all the Uber, Lyft, Via, etc. private vehicles now clogging Manhattan streets and slowing traffic to an even slower crawl?
Ride up Sixth Ave. on an M5 or M7 or ride up Eighth Ave. on an M20 or M104 from mid-town and see how long and tedious that trip has become because of the sheer volume of Uber etc. vehicles PLUS taxis clogging the avenues AND spewing carbon emissions as they clog the right-turn lanes because east-bound traffic is a perpetual traffic jam.
And NO, MTA buses themselves are NOT major polluters because:
1. most use hybrid power, and
2. since a bus carries dozens of passengers its “carbon-footprint (emissions divided by # of occupants)” is much lower than the carbon footprint of a sedan.
As a renter on the Upper West Side for 10 years, I was excited to read about the possibility of “community shared solar.” But, WOW, was I disappointed when I tried to follow up.
I followed the instructions on the packet’s 4th page which took me to the NY State’s Community Solar website. I then followed the instructions on the bottom of that website to search the Community Solar Project nearest me using another link. Those instructions suggest you find the closest “dot” and contact the contractor listed in the dialog box by searching for the internet for their website.
I searched the web for the contractors listed for two separate dots. Neither company’s website mentioned opportunities to participate in community shared solar. This appears to be an idea that hasn’t been thoroughly plotted out by those suggesting it.
I’d suggest those in charge do a bit more legwork before bringing up Community Shared Solar for renters in the future. Perhaps they should preemptively contact the closest projects and give this process more footing for those who might consider participating.
Unfortunately, a great idea becomes strongly diluted when preparation is so incomplete.
Community Solar is brand new in NY State. You are at the cutting edge of folks in the know. Sign up to be alerted as project go live – which should start doing this summer and fall.
The best way to, “protect the planet at, this very local level,” is to stop the museum of natural history from putting up a gigantic, fossil-fueled building. The museum’s proposed expansion would emit more than 2 tons of pollution every year and would also destroy more than 30 oxygen-giving trees in Teddy Roosevelt Park. CM Rosenthal is the plan’s #1 booster, which is in direct contradiction with her forum’s, “clean energy” message. Donald Trump isn’t the only threat to our planet; our incumbent Council member deserves a good share of our outrage for her lack of environmental leadership.
Is it ever possible for people running for office to state their position without criticizing their opponent?
You know, like letting one’s position stand alone for consideration by voters?
Thank you very much to Sam Jane for going through our info packet, especially our section on Community Solar.
I’ve updated the section on Community Solar in our packet -space permitting – to try to make the process more clear. The updated packet will be available here starting July 18th: https://helenrosenthal.com/environment/
Sam, there are currently three Community Solar Projects in NYC, none of them on the UWS. BUT residents in all 5 boroughs can sign up for these CSP’s.
The bad news is that because there is so much interest, there is now a waiting list. The search is on for more space for these community arrays and it is worth checking back to the websites below periodically, to see if more solar capacity has come on-line.
Learn more at https://on.ny.gov/2sWpKU9 or at http://www.ourpower.solar
I also don’t think it’s a bad idea to join a waiting list for a CSP, as that shows there is serious market demand.
If you live in a co-op, OurPower is also working with NYC co-op owners on a way to share the benefits of a building-owned solar array. You can contact them directly about this.
Because space on our fact sheets is so tight, we will post additional updates on our website. But you should also feel free to contact me at Council Member Rosenthal’s City Hall office at 212-788-6975 or screan@council.nyc.gov with any questions or comments.
Thank you so much for using the materials.
Sarah Crean
Office of Council Member Helen Rosenthal