By Helen Klein
Bringing down high energy bills is likely to require both conservation measures on the part of consumers and new initiatives on the part of government to make it appealing to develop alternative forms of energy production and more energy-efficient products. That was the consensus of speakers who delved into the subject during the January meeting of the Fraser Civic Association, which was held at Yeshiva Tiferes Yisroel, 1271 East 35th Street. State Senator Kevin Parker, who is the ranking Democratic member of the Senate committee on Energy & Telecommunications, pointed out the dilemma. “The need for energy is increasing, and more and more we have to look to the future,” he told his listeners, stressing that both the state and the city need to have, “A comprehensive energy plan, to forecast what our needs are over so when we are building now, we are building for the future.” In particular, Parker said, government is confronting the reality that many sources of energy, such as petroleum, are, “Limited. The less you have, the more it costs. At some point, it is going to run out.” Siting Issues A key issue that is now being wrestled with, said Parker, is the siting of power plants. A bill on the matter expired in 2003, Parker said. “We are looking at ways to continue or expand it,” he told his listeners. “One of the things we are fighting for is some kind of community involvement in the siting of power plants,” Parker went on, noting that companies get around siting regulations by building plants that are under the minimum megawatt output “so they don’t have to go through the process.” Another problem is the unwillingness of residents to have such facilities nearby. “One of the problems we have in New York is that no one wants a power station in their neighborhood, but they don’t want their energy bills to go up,” Parker pointed out. Yet, he said, the farther you are from a power supply, the more the energy will cost.” Parker also said that the Senate was, “Looking at transmission lines, and figuring out the proper siting process.” Currently, he said, companies “replacing transmission lines have to go through the same process” as when they site them initially. “I think that’s a little arduous, but we want communities to be involved in what’s going on under the ground under their houses.” Parker, who is also the chairperson of the Minority Task Force On An Alternative Energy Future, said that among the options being considered are solar power, windmills, and fuel-efficient vehicles. “The future of making sure we have safe and affordable energy,” he told the crowd, “is going to be in creating diversified energy plans and products.” High Goal One goal that the state has to meet, thanks to an order of Governor George Pataki, is a 25 percent renewable portfolio standard for the generation of electricity. That, said Parker, is, “One of the highest in the country.” However, Parker added, despite issuing the directive, the governor, “Didn’t do anything about how to get there. You would have to line up windmills from the Hudson to Ohio, or fill up Ulster and Dutchess Counties with windmills to get to the level the governor mandated, so there’s some work to do.” It is still very costly for homeowners to install solar panels in their residences, said Parker, in large part because of the use of silicone in fabricating them, and because the cost of labor is still high, because so few people can perform the work. “Until the technology gets more efficient and smaller, it’s going to take a while for the price to come down,” he acknowledged. It costs around $30,000 to make “the average house” solar, said Parker, who added, “Most people who are doing it, are doing it because they love the environment and think it is worth doing.” Try This At Home In the meantime, consumers can make a difference in terms of energy usage in their own homes. Sharon Griffith, a project manager for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). According to Griffith, the “Largest users of electricity in the home are water heating (14 percent), heating and cooling (44 percent), lighting, cooking and other appliances (33 percent) and the refrigerator (five percent). Taming those energy-guzzlers, she said, can make a difference in the bottom line, and it doesn’t have to be terribly difficult to do. Griffith urged her listeners to replace outdated appliances with ones that carry the Energy Star designation. “They cost a little more,” she acknowledged, “but, it’s pay me now or pay me later,” and, she stressed, Energy Star appliances, “Are actually going to save a lot of money” over time. Replacing a 10-year-old refrigerator even with a model that is not Energy Star is “definitely cost-effective,” Griffith added. Replacing a worn gasket can also save money, she said. How can you tell when such a replacement is necessary? Put a dollar bill inside the door and close it, advised Griffith. “If it pulls out easily, the gasket needs to be replaced,” she said. An Energy Star clothes washer, which includes front-loading models, “Gets clothes cleaner and dryer,” said Griffith, “so you use the dryer less.” And, she added, an Energy Star dishwasher will use 30 percent less hot water. Another energy-saver is removing excess food from dishes without rinsing them off, said Griffith, who cited a new federal campaign, “Scrape, Don’t Rinse.” Nibbling Away One sneaky energy-eater is stand-by power, said Griffith. If an appliance turns on immediately, it is using stand-by power, she explained, meaning it is constantly using a flow of electricity. “You can use a timer or surge protector and turn it off,” Griffith suggested. Timers are helpful in curbing air conditioning costs. Rather than leaving a unit running all day when you are out of the house, so it is cool when you return, Griffith suggested installing a timer and programming it to turn the air conditioner on half an hour before you expect to return home. Replacing incandescent with compact fluorescent bulbs can also be an energy and money-saving step. Citing a national program — Change a Light, Change the World – Griffith said that, “If you replace five of the most used light bulbs in your house with Energy Star bulbs, you can save about $60 or $65 a year.” While a fluorescent bulb will cost “at least $5,” said Griffith, “It will pay for itself within three months, and the rest is gravy.” Such a bulb lasts, she said, about seven years on average. Wise Improvements Certain home improvements, such as adding insulation, can also curtail energy use. NYSERDA runs a program in which homeowners can apply for incentive financing for energy-saving home improvements for one to four family homes recommended by a certified contractor. The contractors do a comprehensive home assessment, a two or three-hour energy survey (which costs, said Griffith, on average about $250), in which they will identify ways in which the house can be made more energy-efficient. Just following through with any of their recommendations can enable the homeowner to apply for loans with beneficial financing or, if they pay for the work out of pocket, get a rebate from NYSERDA for the money that has been spent. Even doing something as simple as keeping windows and radiators clean can help cut energy bills, said Jim McCabe, an account executive with KeySpan, who also addressed the group.
