Refrigerator and freezer recycling program

Rethink. Recycle. Reward.

NYSEG- Get $30 for your old working second fridge or freezer
and save up to $150 a year on energy.

Chances are, the older second refrigerator or freezer in your basement or garage could be costing you up to $150 a year to run. Instead, recycle it, reduce your energy use and keep harmful materials out of landfills. We’ll pick it up for free and give you $30.

Eligibility and Requirements:

You must be a residential NYSEG electric customer and own the unit to be recycled.
The refrigerator or freezer must be:

* Between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size
* Empty, and in working order at time of pickup
* Accessible with a clear path for removal


>> Click here to schedule your pickup, or call 1.877.691.0021.

Limit two units per residential address per year. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
Your rebate check will be mailed within 4 weeks of your old refrigerator or freezer being picked up.

The Humor of Proper Septic Tank Maintenance

Unless you are lucky enough to live in one of the few areas of Schuyler County that has a sewer system, you rely on the use of a septic system to treat and dispose of your wastewater. Septic systems can be a perfect solution to waste management in rural communities, but only they are adequately maintained. To maintain proper function of your septic system it is recommended to have your septic tank pumped out every 3-5 years depending on the size of your tank and the number of people living in the home.

Here are a few humorous videos provided by The National Environmental Services Center that highlight why proper septic tank maintenance is important. National Environmental Service Center

For more information on septic system maintenance contact the Schuyler County Watershed Protection Agency at 535-6868 or visit http://waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/septic.htm.

Rock Cabin Road Cleanup

In honor of Earth Day the Schuyler County Environmental Management Council is sponsoring a roadside cleanup event on Monday, April 25 at 2:30. Rock Cabin Road is an ecologically sensitive area that boarders the Queen Catharine Marsh. This area provides habitat to a number of unique species and has an number of rare butterflies that visit the puddles along the road. Those interested should meet at the Seneca Lake side of the road. For more information please contact Jenna Hicks at Cooperative Extension at 535-7161.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County Celebrates the Environment on Earth Day and Every Day with Battery Recycling Program

Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension has recently partnered with Call2Recycle® to offer a FREE rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling program in Schuyler County. Call2Recycle® is the only free battery and cell phone collection program in North America and has been responsible for diverting over 60 million pounds of rechargeable batteries from landfills since 1994.

Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, mercury and lead which can be harmful to our water supply if not disposed of properly. “Right now many people just throw rechargeable batteries in the trash because they don’t know what to do with them,” says Jenna Hicks, Environmental Science Educator with Cooperative Extension. “This is something we hope to change. We realize that if the program isn’t convenient and free we will only get subpar participation, we want to address both of these issues and that is why we decided to work with the Call2Recycle® program.”

Collected materials are recycled into new batteries, stainless steel products and other items with nothing going to the landfill according to Call2Recycle®. “It’s a win- win situation. You reduce your garbage bill and save landfill space; what’s not to like?” asks Hicks.

Rechargeable batteries and cell phones can be dropped off Monday- Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Cooperative Extension office located in the Human Services Complex, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls. For more information please contact Jenna Hicks at 535-7161 or via email at jlh254@cornell.edu.

Pharmaceutical Collection Day in Schuyler County

Saturday, April 30 from 10-2.

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department will be collecting old and unwanted medications (pills and capsules only, NO needles or liquids) free of charge at the Tyrone Fire Department (3600 St Rte 226, Dundee) and the Odessa Fire Department (300 Main Street, Odessa). It is no longer suggested by state officials to flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet due to possible water contamination. Instead, store them in a safe secure location out of children’s reach and take them to a collection location. It is anticipated that Schuyler County will hold one collection event annually in September. For more information on the national collection day please visit the Department of Drug Enforcement’s website at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/takeback/. For more information on the Schuyler County event please call the Sheriff’s Department at 535-8222.

Record Numbers of New Yorkers Retrofit Homes for Energy Efficiency Using Green Jobs/Green NY Free or Reduced-Cost Energy Audit/Low-Cost Financing Prog

Record Numbers of New Yorkers Retrofit Homes for Energy Efficiency Using Green Jobs/Green NY Free or Reduced-Cost Energy Audit/Low-Cost Financing Program The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced today that the numbers of New York State homeowners who completed energy efficiency retrofits reached all-time monthly records in both January and February 2011, through Green Jobs/Green NY.
Created by the New York State Legislature and launched Nov. 15, 2010, Green Jobs/Green NY is expected to generate jobs in the state by stimulating investment in energy efficiency improvements for residential homes and businesses. It currently provides homeowners with free or reduced-cost comprehensive home assessments, also referred to as energy audits, and low-interest loans to finance these improvements. The program will be available to small commercial, not-for-profit and multifamily buildings in the coming months.
For homeowners, energy efficiency audits and improvements take place through NYSERDA's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(r) program. In January alone, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR completed more than 800 retrofits, an all-time record for the program. February followed with more than 600 retrofits, an all-time record for that month.
"These numbers are very encouraging," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "By supporting the development of a vibrant energy efficiency industry, GJGNY is already helping homeowners and businesses reduce their energy costs while also supporting Governor Cuomo's plan to create jobs right here in New York.We look forward to even greater success once the full Outreach and Marking effort is implemented."

Other Green Jobs/Green NY highlights:

* Since free and reduced-cost energy audits were offered in November, NYSERDA has received 4,141 applications. Of these, 3,294 residential customers were approved for free audits and 297 for reduced-cost audits.

* As of end of February, 420 applications have been approved for Green Jobs/ Green NY low-cost financing with 96 loans closed, 87 loans approved and awaiting closing, and an additional 237 loans in process, for a total of approximately $3.3 million in capital.

* Contract negotiations are underway for training new entrants to the workforce and displaced workers for jobs in New York State's clean-energy industry. Ultimately, Green Jobs/Green NY will fund training for 6,000 workers.

Free energy audits are being provided to individuals with incomes up to 200 percent of the Area Median Income, and reduced priced energy audits are available to households with incomes up to 400 percent of the Area Median Income. A listing of income levels by county can be found at: http://www.getenergysmart.org/Files/HomePerformance/gjgny_area_median_income.pdf.pdf.

Certain outreach, training and enrollment efforts are subject to a competitive procurement process available to community based-organizations.

Through Green Jobs/Green NY, the state has established a revolving loan fund for building owners who will be able to pay back loans from the savings on their energy bills. NYSERDA launched the loan program for residential homeowners, and will soon follow with a loan program for small businesses, not-for-profits, and multifamily buildings. The unsecured residential loans are capped at $13,000 for a term of 5, 10 or 15 years and are offered at an initial interest rate of 3.99 percent - or 3.49 percent if the borrower signs up for automated monthly payments.

The Green Jobs-Green New York energy audit, loan and jobs training initiatives are funded with $112 million acquired by auctioning carbon emission credits through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The seed money from the RGGI fund, and from an $18.6 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy, will be used to leverage private investment.

NYSERDA offers innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help consumers increase energy efficiency and save money while helping businesses create clean energy solutions. NYSERDA's professionals help New Yorkers reduce energy consumption, increase the use of renewable energy, protect our environment and create clean energy jobs. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in NY since 1975.

Eat where you live

Draft outline of a new food producing animal ordinance in Denver. Visit EatWhereULive to learn more!