*CaRDIs Sustainable Communities Webinar #7: * *GREEN ECONOMY INVESTMENTS: WHAT DO LOCAL POLICY MAKERS NEED TO KNOW? – December 14, 1:30-3:00pm*
The goal of this webinar is to inform local officials about what green economy investments mean for their communities and help them make wise and informed policy. We address a set of issues that involve local policy makers as initiators, facilitators, decision-makers, and negotiators. Susan Christopherson, a Professor in the City and Regional Planning Department, will introduce the presentations and make some wrap up comments. Our approach to green investments recognizes that if a green economy is to take shape in a positive way, local policy makers have to know what choices are available and have the capacity to implement those that are in the best interests of their communities and regional environment. To Register for the webinar contact Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman at [email protected] with your name, title, affiliation, email address, phone and fax numbers. *The Webinar presentations:* *Local Management Of Industrial Wind Energy Siting* By: Kate McCarthy – [email protected] and Eric VanderMaas - [email protected] * * If the topic of industrial wind development was on the table in your community, where would you begin the discussion? In this presentation, we will provide information to help local officials understand the complicated issue of industrial wind farms. First, we'll describe the basics of wind development and the actors involved. Then, we'll suggest how three actions - planning ahead with residents about their questions and concerns, developing zoning and wind ordinances, and working with a neutral third party who can help with negotiations and regulations - can enable local officials to manage the process of deciding whether wind development is a good option for their communities. We will end by presenting and discussing a set of key questions which local officials and policy makers should ask when considering wind farms as economic development. *** *A Biofuel** Strategy Right for Upstate New York* By: Jonathan Wellemeyer – [email protected] and Chris Koenig - [email protected] Given the steady increase in gas utility rates, it’s becoming more and more desirable for homeowners to seek out energy alternatives for home heating in Upstate New York. In this presentation we discuss why large-scale liquid biofuel production—such as ethanol—is an inappropriate alternative solution for Upstate’s home heating energy needs and how locally grown and produced grass pellets burned in the home can fill that gap. After briefly introducing the technology involved, we outline the potential benefits as well as the obstacles of producing and consuming grass pellets for home heating Upstate. *** *How Local Policies Can Support The Development Of Green Jobs* By: C.J. Randall - [email protected], Anika Patterson - [email protected], Kate Hess Pace - [email protected] and Ana Cajina - [email protected] * * Green jobs and the green economy have received considerable attention from state and national policymakers, particularly in the energy efficiency sector. Local leaders can capitalize on the momentum and facilitate the growth of green jobs in industries ranging from construction to manufacturing to high-tech. By focusing initially on weatherization and retrofitting projects, communities will create jobs, increase energy efficiency, and save taxpayers' money. To maximize the benefits of this growing industry, policy makers will need to address financing options, job training, changes in local policy, programs to support green entrepreneurs, and local manufacturing of energy efficiency products. *** *Why Manufacturing Green Technologies Matters * By: Marc Ufberg - [email protected] * * $22 billion in stimulus money has been provided to promote renewable energy projects and re-train workers but amidst the frenzy, something has been missing in the public discussion. While the media has championed the use and installation of renewable energy technologies, little has been said about where those technologies are being manufactured. Not much attention is paid to the* source* of renewable energy equipment. One example is solar power. Perhaps not surprisingly, most solar panels are manufactured abroad; virtually none are manufactured in New York State. This presentation looks at whether this should be a cause for concern, what policymakers can do about it, and how to determine when offering incentives to renewable energy manufacturing companies is a good idea. *** *Developing Markets For Local Food Producers* By: Ruth Kroeger - [email protected] and Yelena Zeltser - [email protected] * * Wealth building in a region happens when local dollars go to support local businesses and products. While New York State is home to many small and medium-sized family farms, local producers lose income when imported products substitute locally produced ones, and wealth escapes the region. Meeting local demand with home-grown products can contribute to a vibrant regional economy through job creation, increased tax revenues, and wealth formation. In this presentation, we look at the economic development potential of local food systems in upstate New York and how public-private initiatives can boost the profitability of small and medium size farmers. -- -- ---------------------------------------------------- Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. President Sustainable Tompkins 109 S. Albany St. Ithaca, NY 14850 www.sustainabletompkins.org 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-220-8991 (cell) 607-216-1552 (ST office) 607-216-1553 (ST fax) [email protected] _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins Questions about the list? ask [email protected] free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
