National Radon Action Month

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County is celebrating National Radon Action Month by offering free radon test kits on a first come first served basis to Schuyler residents in January. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced by the breakdown of uranium. Radon is odorless, colorless and can only be detected with special tests like the ones being offered by Cooperative Extension. Next to smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US and should not be ignored.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies have identified Schuyler County as an area with recorded high radon levels and suggest homeowners test for radon. If your test results show radon levels higher than 4 picocuries per 1 liter (pci/L) of air it is suggested that you look at mitigation. Mitigation techniques can cost between $800- $2,500 depending on your home with the most effective consisting of piping and fans. When looking for a contractor it is important that they are trained in radon mitigation because if done improperly, it could actually increase the amount of radon in your home.

To pick up your free test kit, stop by Cooperative Extension located in the Human Services Complex, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls. For more information call Jenna Hicks, Environmental Science Educator at 535-7161.

"New York's Great Appliance Swap Out" Program Plan Approved

Consumers to Receive Rebates for Purchasing
Energy-Efficient Appliances during President's Week, 2010
The U.S Department of Energy today announced it has approved New York's plan to provide consumers with rebates for purchasing certain energy-efficient refrigerators, clothes washers, freezers and dishwashers through a program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). New York's Great Appliance Swap Out (NYApplianceSwapOut.com) will allow the State to issue more than 170,000 rebates totaling $16.8 million during President's Week in February, 2010.
Rebates for high-efficiency appliances will range from $50-$105 for a single unit and up to $555 for the purchase of a three-appliance package. In addition, the program, administered by the New York Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) encourages recycling by offering a larger rebate to consumers who recycle their discarded appliances.
"I'm pleased that the US Department of Energy is allowing New York to move forward with New York's Great Appliance Swap Out, a program that will help provide an important boost to the economy early next year while providing an incentive for New Yorkers to reduce their energy consumption. This program will offer more than 170,000 New Yorkers the chance to save hundreds of dollars a year by replacing their old appliances with new energy-efficient appliances and, by offering additional incentives for people to recycle, will help avoid placing additional burdens on our landfills. I'm grateful to President Obama and our entire Congressional Delegation for working to make this critical stimulus funding available. Without this federal funding, which will provide much-needed economic stimulus in New York, we would not have pursued this program."
NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. said, "We are pleased to have final approval from the U.S. DOE allowing us to implement a program that will save consumers hundreds of dollars a year by replacing an old appliance with high-efficiency models. The program will not only help consumers save money and reduce the environmental impact of older appliances, but will help us meet the Governor's ambitious goals of improving our environment and decreasing our energy usage in the future."
Under the plan, consumers could receive rebates for purchasing eligible appliances individually or in a bundle. For an individual purchase, appliances will qualify only if they have earned the ENERGY STAR® label, meaning that they are up to 30 percent more efficient than standard models on the market. For a bundled purchase, consumers may receive a larger rebate by purchasing three eligible appliances that meet standards issued by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) that are higher than ENERGY STAR standards. Appliances qualifying for a bundled rebate would be a CEE Tier dishwasher, clothes washer, and refrigerator together.
Customers purchasing appliances may receive the following individual rebates:
• Refrigerators: $75 ($105 with documented recycling)
• Clothes washers: $75 ($100 with documented recycling)
• Freezers: $50 ($75 with documented recycling)
• Dishwashers: Rebates are only available for dishwashers when they are purchased as part of a three-appliance package of CEE-rated appliances. These will qualify for a $500 rebate ($550 with documented recycling).
Many retailers are expected to offer free recycling to make it easier for the customer to receive the maximum rebate, and NYSERDA is coordinating efforts with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York City Department of Sanitation so consumers can also recycle their appliances at local landfills, waste stations and recycling centers.
Guidelines for the program:
• Consumers must be New York State residents to be eligible for the proposed rebate program.
• Appliances can be purchased at any retail location and must meet specified ENERGY STAR or CEE standards.
• The program is open only to individuals purchasing appliances for their own use.
• To qualify for the rebates, consumers must attest in writing that the purchased appliances are replacing existing appliances.
• Adequate documentation of recycling must be included to receive the maximum rebate amount and the rebate cannot be combined with other appliance rebate programs from utilities or municipalities. The rebate can, however, be combined with other manufacturer rebates or retail promotions.
Rebate forms and instructions will be available soon at www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com or through NYSERDA's hotline (1-877-NY-SMART). NYSERDA offers homeowners information on how to reduce their energy costs through its "Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®" program, which offers strategies for encouraging comprehensive home energy improvements for existing homes. This program has helped more than 27,000 New Yorkers significantly cut their energy usage.
Additional information, including information about ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances and other programs to help homeowners reduce energy costs, can be found on NYSERDA's web site at www.GetEnergySmart.org or from NYSERDA's consumer hotline at: 877-NY-SMART.

WaterSense

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009



EPA Releases Final Specification for WaterSense New Homes

This will help homeowners increase water efficiency and save on their
utility bills

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its
final WaterSense single-family new homes specification today, creating
the first national, voluntary, water-efficiency specification for an
entire new home.

"Home builders can now partner with EPA and earn the WaterSense label
for their newly built homes, helping to create livable communities and
quality homes that are easy to maintain," said Peter S. Silva, assistant
administrator for EPA's Office of Water. "These homes will save
homeowners as much as $200 a year on utility bills compared to their
current homes."

EPA worked with hundreds of stakeholders over the past three years to
develop this specification, which was designed to complement existing
green building programs. WaterSense labeled new homes, which will be 20
percent more efficient than typical new homes, must be independently
inspected and certified by an EPA licensed certification provider to
meet the WaterSense criteria for water efficiency and performance.

The new homes will feature WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, Energy
Star qualified appliances (if installed), water-efficient landscaping,
and hot water delivery systems that deliver hot water faster, so
homeowners don't waste water-or energy-waiting at the tap.

By investing in WaterSense labeled homes, American home buyers can
reduce their water usage by more than 10,000 gallons per year-enough to
fill a backyard swimming pool-and save enough energy annually to power a
television for four years.

If the approximately 1.27 million new homes built in the United States
each year were WaterSense labeled, it would save more than 12 billion
gallons of water.

With this announcement, EPA is inviting home builders to join the
WaterSense program and commit to building water-efficient new homes.

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the
future of our nation's water supply by offering people simple ways to
use less water.

More information on WaterSense labeled new homes:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/spaces/new_homes.html

To see a video message about the WaterSense new homes specification:
http://www.epa.gov/multimedia/playercontents/video/watersense/index.html

Rice is Nice

Rice Is Nice
Especially When Locally Grown
by Carrie Koplinka-Loehr

Rice paddies in Vermont? At 900 feet above sea level? More than 40 skeptics and believers from New England and New York flocked to Earthbridge Farm last July to see, touch, and learn about cold-tolerant varieties at the Sustainable Rice Production for the Northeast workshop.

Rice, a grass known botanically as Oryza sativa, is a tropical plant that has been adapted to temperate areas of the world, such as northern China, northern Italy, Poland, Russia, and Hokkaido, Japan. Until two years ago, paddy rice hadn’t been successfully grown in parts of New England where the last frost occurs in May and the first frost in mid-September. So why the interest now?

Rice production is alluring both to locavores and to growers seeking ways to get production from marginal lands. The paddies diversify the landscape, attracting amphibians, water birds, and beneficial insects, and they buffer nearby wetlands. Most of all, a one-acre paddy will typically yield 2–4 tons of rice, more than twice the average yield of nonirrigated wheat.

So what do you need to grow rice? Sunshine, a reliable source of water, and a soil that will hold it. Takeshi and Linda Akoagi had all three.

The Akaogis evaluated 31 rice varieties for lodging, sterility, shattering, and overall suitability. So far they have no pest problems, but they are careful. To prevent the spread of insects, they freeze the rice for three days before germinating it.

In 2006, with assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Akaogis constructed a small rice paddy at their diversified farm in Putney, Vermont. The first year the plants grew well but didn’t produce seed. In 2007 they added two paddies (increasing production to 1/10 of an acre) and received a grant from NE-SARE to determine if rice could be grown commercially. They identified 25 temperate varieties, many from Hokkaido, that produced seed. In 2008 they planted and studied three varieties, which yielded an average of 5,847 pounds of rice per acre.

Now the Akaogis are spreading the word. In the past two years they’ve hosted a series of workshops showcasing their rice paddies and their partners, such as rice breeders from Cornell, NRCS personnel, and Extension educators. Growers from surrounding states come to see the proof that rice can be grown productively in the Northeast and has the potential to become a commercial crop.

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