Some Energy tips for Halloween

"Trick for Heat"
Check your heating system's air filter every month, and change the filter every 3 months. Remove leaves, dirt, and other debris from around outdoor components, such as heat pumps, to improve air flow and efficiency. Have a qualified professional tune up your system with a pre-season maintenance checkup, and if it's time to replace your old system, look for models that have earned the ENERGY STAR.

Protect Yourself from Vampires
"Vampire power," or standby power, refers to the electric power consumed by electronics and appliances while they are switched off or in a standby mode. ENERGY STAR qualified electronics and appliances use a lot less energy in standby mode. EPA also recommends that you turn off electronics when they are not in use, such as computers and televisions. Plugging all your electronics into a power strip makes this easy—just flip the switch to power everything down at once!

What's Lurking in Your Attic?
Probably cold air. Seal air leaks around your home to keep the cold out and the warm air in. The biggest air leaks are usually in the attic or basement, but also around doors, windows, vents, pipes, and electrical outlets. Use caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping to seal the leaks. Add more insulation to prevent heat loss and make your home more comfortable this fall.

Don't Be Left in the Dark
Now that daylight savings is upon us, remember to swap out those old incandescent lights with new, energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer. Also, start preparing for the holiday season with ENERGY STAR qualified decorative light strings, utilizing LED technology for extra savings, long-life, and durability—plus they're just as pretty. You can even get orange ones for Halloween!

Don't Waste Your Heat on Ghosts
By properly using your programmable thermostat you can ensure that you're not unnecessarily heating the home when you're away or asleep. Programming a lower temperature for when you go to work or run errands throughout the week and/or when you go to sleep at night can save you up to $180 a year in energy costs. Check out EPA's new and fun Programmable Thermostat Tool to learn how easy it is to set for savings.

Reduce the Chill with a Ceiling Fan
By switching your ceiling fan to pull air upward versus push air downward, you'll actually be helping circulate the warm air down into living spaces. This will make better use of your heating and allow you to lower the thermostat to save energy while maintaining your comfort.

Don't Be Left Alone
Your pledge may help you save energy this Halloween, but what about your friends and family? Encourage them to take EPA’s ENERGY STAR Pledge before midnight on October 31st to avoid tricks, and get the treats of a better environment for everyone. Plus you'll all save money as it gets colder, too. And if you want to get involved, visit our In Your Community page and learn how you or your family can participate in fall activities that help prevent global warming—either through your local schools or with the Boys & Girls Club of America. Join the movement today and have a Happy Halloween!

New Open Burning Regulations Take Effect

Effective October 14, 2009 new open burning regulations now prohibit open burning across the State with only a few exceptions. Burning trash (even in a burn barrel) is now illegal in all areas of the State, including rural areas of Schuyler County. The State is also restricting the burning of leaves, instead encouraging composting. Farmers are no longer allowed to burn agricultural plastics, instead requiring landfill disposal (please note- Schuyler County is collaborating with surrounding counties to develop a recycling program, more information to come).
In an effort to dispel some of the common misconceptions surrounding this new regulation the following table is a partial listing of common activities Schuyler County residents may be concerned about. To view the entire regulation please visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4261.html.



The new regulations are important in improving our health and air quality as well as minimizing the risk of wildfires. Open burning of household trash releases toxic materials (arsenic, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, lead, cyanide and others) into the air we breathe. These toxins can lead to immediate and long term health effects such as burning of the eyes and nose, coughing, nausea, headaches, dizziness, asthma attacks and can even increase the risk of cancer.
Please be respectful of your neighbors and stop burning-it the law.
If you would like more information on this article, contact information for local solid waste haulers, recycling or composting programs in your area please email Jenna Hicks at jlh254@cornell.edu or call the office at 535-7161.

Presentation on Schuyler County’s Agriculture Economic Strategy

SCHUYLER COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Invite you to a presentation on
Schuyler County’s Agriculture Economic Strategy
Focused Development of Agriculture Assets

Schuyler County's agriculture economy has been developing steadily for more than 10 years. Expanded dairies, new farms, improved marketing, value-added enterprises, agritourism, and pastured livestock operations all demonstrate the ability of the agriculture community in Schuyler County to change with the times. In 2009, SCOPED and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County have sought an independently-derived strategy to identify the strongest assets and seize the right opportunities to stimulate enhanced economic growth in the agriculture sector. This presentation puts forth a deliberate and immediately functional prescription for agriculture development over the next 4 - 6 years. It contains some unexpected but important action steps to gain the greatest return on investments in the agriculture entities of Schuyler County. If you plan to be part of the local farm and business communities in the coming years, you are welcome to join in this informative presentation and discussion.
 by Jim Ochterski, Agriculture Economic Development Specialist
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 7:00pm
Schuyler County Human Services Complex,
Conference Room #120
RSVP by contacting Anne at SCOPED anne@scoped.biz or call 535-4341

Parking Census in the Village of Watkins Glen

A parking census is the first step in addressing parking concerns. Its primary purpose is to quantify current parking conditions in a specified study area and to objectively determine whether parking congestion or a “parking problem” exists. If parking congestion is found, the parking census will show where and to what extent in the study area it exists.
In this parking census it was concluded that there is enough parking in the study area. There may be “hot spots” in particular areas of the Village, but parking is available within only half-a-block from these hot spots. Parking in the study area is easy to access and easy to use. Parking is also within walking distance of Franklin Street, the Village’s main street.
In order to alleviate any current parking issues, there are a number of things that can be done. To begin with, signage indicating where additional parking is available may be beneficial. For instance, signage directing people to the county off street parking lot located at the waterfront, which typically has very low occupancy rates, could help to shift congestion from the main business district and at the same time, utilize well located parking. The signage should be similar in theme to the rest of the village. Also, employees could be asked to park further from where they work, allowing more space for patrons. Furthermore, painting parking lines, like the ones on 1st Street, could be helpful to guide people to parking as well as help direct people on how to park. Creating a more inviting space, away from the downtown, by introducing lighting and streetscaping could also be effective in directing people to park farther away, possibly lessening congestion. In addition to these improvements, the Village could improve existing parking by re/paving portions of the existing parking area, which would in turn provide more quality parking. Lastly, the Village, should maintain consistent enforcement of parking time limits, this could help to reduce parking congestion and as an added benefit, increase its revenues.

This study identified parking spaces, determined occupancy rates and concluded that a parking problem does not necessarily exist in the study area. Although there are some hot spots in the study area, there does not seem to be a lack of supply to meet the current conditions. It is also reasonable to assume that there will be enough supply to meet demand as the Village continues to grow. As new businesses come into the Village, the rest of the unused parking in the study area will begin to be utilized. This is especially likely if signage, painted parking lines, streetscaping and appropriate lighting is used along with improvements to existing parking areas and consistent enforcement efforts. The extent to which the Village can grow without needing extra parking facilities is beyond the scope of this study. Nonetheless, this study shows that there is a reasonable amount of parking to meet current demand and that the study area can accommodate future growth.
Parking Study Area

Cornell's Solar House

Cornell's Solar house will be on display at the NY State Fair through the end of September. For more information please visit the website

The Plastic Continent

STRATEGIC PLANNING SURVEY

As part of the year-long strategic planning effort that will chart the future of CCE in the challenging times ahead, a Strategic Planning Survey has been created. Schuyler County residents are encouraged to participate, but please only submit one survey per household, whether it be online or in paper form. (If you prefer to fill out a paper survey, please stop by our office.) The survey will be available until Friday, September 11, 2009.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY