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The Village of Medina, NY has established a high sustainability bar for other municipalities in New York State
Within the past three years, the Village of Medina, with the assistance of Larsen Engineers, has made significant updates at both their Department of Public Works (DPW) Building and at their Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
DPW Building: Energy efficient lighting and a 50kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system was recently installed. The solar PV system can generate up to 53,900kWh per year which covers more than 50% of the DPW's energy use. Using a cost estimate of 12˘/kWh, the energy generated by the DPW solar PV system can save the Village over $6000.00 per year. Funding for the PV system was received through a NYSERDA Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.
WWTP: As in many communities, the WWTP is the largest energy consumer in the Village. In 2009, the Village, with the help of Larsen Engineers, received federal ARRA funding through NY State Environmental Facility Corp's (EFC) Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP). The project involved installation of a blend of sustainable, energy efficiency measures: a green roof and rainwater harvesting system, energy efficient lighting, solar PV panels (at the plant and at the Village's Composting Building), effluent-powered heat pumps, and a biogas powered combined heat and power (CHP) unit. The sum of the electricity generated by the WWTP 44kW solar PV system, the 60kW cogen CHP unit, and the 77kW solar PV system installed at the Compost Building (see description of this system below) will supply approximately 42% of the WWTP's annual electricity use. Using a cost estimate of 12˘/kWh, the electricity produced will save the Village approximately $20,300.00 per year.
Photovoltaic (PV) System at the Compost Facility: The compost facility features an 80 kW solar system made of 336 panels. Assuming an average
of 7 hours of adequate sunlight a day, the solar array can produce up to 84,000 kWh every year. This more than covers this building's average yearly electrical consumption. The Village plans on crediting the excess electricity generated here to their electrical use / demand at other municipal facilities locations, such as the WWTP (crediting of excess electricity production to other accounts is also known as remote net metering). Use of remote net metering will further reduce the Village's energy budget and assist in stabilizing taxes.
Williamson New York and Seneca Nation Selected By US EPA To Receive Technical Assistance to Meet their Sustainability Goals On February 7th 2013, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 43 communities -- rural, urban and suburban -- will receive technical assistance to pursue sustainable growth that encourages local economic development while safeguarding people's health and the environment. The Town of Williamson, bordering Lake Ontario, in rural Wayne County New York along with the Seneca Nation were the two New York State communities selected from a total of 121 applicants nationwide to participate in this unique program.
Upon receiving notification of the selection, Williamson Town Supervisor James Hoffman stated,
"As Town Supervisor, I am very pleased that the Town of Williamson has been selected by a federal agency as a site for a workshop on sustainable growth and economic development. The Town Board and the town workforce have been committed to making the best of our natural resources to promote and a long-term vision for smart growth to promote our town. We have two citizens committees - one for renewable energy and sustainable growth and the other a marketing committee - and a Planning Board that have helped promote this vision. We have two solar projects and are currently looking at possibly using the former landfill for another project".
"Very soon a date will be established for the workshop and potential stakeholders identified for participation".
In recent years Larsen Engineers has had the privilege of working with Williamson town officials to design and construct sustainable upgrades to the Towns WWTP including solar power and a green roof.
To learn more about selected communities and the next steps for these recipients click on the attached EPA Press Release.
Click here for More information on the Building Blocks program
For More information click on Partnership for Sustainable Communities
Mexico City Crowned with 2013 Sustainable Transport Award
A recent article published in Environment News Service on January 22, 2013 wrote of Mexico City's "expansion of its Bus Rapid Transit system, cycling and walking infrastructure and parking program which earned Mexico City the 2013 Sustainable Transport Award from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, ITDP".
"The annual Sustainable Transport Award was established eight years ago by the New York-based ITDP to recognize "leadership and visionary achievements" in clean, efficient transportation and urban livability. It is presented to a city each January for achievements in the previous year".
Past winners of the Sustainable Transport Award include: Medellín, Colombia and San Francisco, United States (2012); Guangzhou, China (2011); Ahmedabad, India (2010); New York City, USA (2009); London, UK (2008); Paris, France (2008); Guayaquil, Ecuador (2007); Seoul, South Korea (2006), and Bogotá, Colombia (2005).
Read more of this interesting story here.
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