Why do an energy upgrade for your home? Hear what two local residents have to say here.

Welcome to the April 2011 issue of the TCCPI Newsletter, a monthly update from the Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (TCCPI).

 

TCCPI is a multisector collaboration seeking to leverage the climate action commitments made by Cornell University, Ithaca College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, Tompkins County, and the City of Ithaca to mobilize a countywide energy efficiency effort and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. Launched in June 2008 and generously supported by the Park Foundation, TCCPI is a project of Second Nature, the lead supporting organization of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

 

We are committed to helping Tompkins County achieve a dynamic economy, healthy environment, and resilient community through a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

Tompkins County, in a unique partnership with EcoVillage at Ithaca's Center for Sustainability Education, has been awarded a $375,450 Climate Showcase Communities grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund innovative approaches to creating dense neighborhoods that enhance residents quality of life while using fewer resources.

The project will focus on three different experiments in sustainable development, including construction of a third neighborhood at EcoVillage at Ithaca (EVI), an internationally recognized cohousing community in Ithaca, and study of 26 acres of county-owned land as a potential location for a village-scale residential community that draws on the lessons of EVI.

The third project involves the Aurora Dwelling Circle, an urban infill development at the corner of North Aurora and Marshall streets in Ithaca. Builder Susan Cosentini and architect/planner Rob Morache run New Earth Living, the organization that will oversee the construction of the Aurora Dwelling Circle.

"I'm thrilled," said EVI-CSE Executive Director Liz Walker. "This will give us the ability to translate proven concepts of sustainable community development to a mainstream audience. We hope to reach developers, architects, planners and builders." 

Ed Marx, Tompkins County Commissioner of Planning and Community Sustainability, seconded Walker's comment. "By leveraging a local success story, we can show the way for new residential development to achieve remarkable energy savings as much as 80% lower than typical development. We hope to demonstrate how similar results can be achieved as these lessons are transferred to mainstream development."

The county planning department and EVI are members of the TCCPI coalition. The original idea behind the grant proposal emerged at last June's monthly TCCPI meeting.

I had the opportunity to spend two days last week at the University of Scranton as the Earth Week keynote speaker. The day before I met with students, faculty, and staff and taught a class in an environmental ethics course. The campus seems to be making significant headway on integrating sustainability into the curriculum and carrying out energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings. The new student union, where I spoke, is LEED Silver certified and a new science center under construction is also designed to achieve LEED Silver certification.

Sincerely,