RBA Seminar Teaches Local Businesses "Green" Ways to Save Money

In times of global warming and economic hardship, businesses are adapting to help the planet and save money.  The Rockland Business Association held its fourth “Greening the Bottom Line” seminar on Wednesday to educate individuals on financial and environmental strategies. 

The event began at 8 a.m. in Rockland Community College’s Ellipses Room.  Outside the lecture hall, companies such as Orange and Rockland Utilities, United Water, and Blue Springs Energy had tables set up, including charts with information and plans for growth, with a representative from each company present.

The lecture portion of the seminar began with brief opening remarks from one of RBA’s board of directors, Michael Shilale of Michael Shilale architects.  He then introduced president Al Samuels, who talked a bit about the importance of education on environmentally friendly approaches to success. 

“It’s unfortunate the concept of green hasn’t caught on more,” Samuels said. 

United Water’s Joseph Macula spoke about shocking statistics regarding daily water consumption.  The company is running programs in local schools to teach children from a young age the importance of conserving water.  Their hope is that kids will inform their parents and develop good habits.

“We’re advocating a strong water conservation program, which I am happy to say is working in Rockland County.  The national average is anywhere from 90-100 gallons of water per individual.  In Rockland County we’ve gotten it down to 68 gallons per day,” Macula said.

Another vital address came from Larry Simpson of Blue Springs Energy.  He explained how they are working on local projects to make the county greener and notify citizens on ways to do so.  The company has also teamed up with Americorps to work on these projects. More information can be found at www.renewrockland.org.

“We are making home owners and businesses aware that there are these state and federal utility incentives and we can help them be more efficient and save money in utility bills,” Simpson said.

The keynote speaker was Thomas McGrath, Senior Investment Officer with New York State’s Comptroller’s Office and is in charge of the Green Investment Strategic Program (GSIP), which has received investments from the New York State Retirement fund. 

“We want to work to invest in green strategies and I’ll add to that companies that do business in New York State,” McGrath said. 

He went on to say that the program has already established approximately 3,000 jobs and has maintained around 20,000. 

Rockland Community College’s President, Cliff Wood explained that the technology center is the county’s first certified “Green Building” and that they are setting a good example for our children and grandchildren to go green.  County Executive Scott Vanderhoef also added a few words reiterating Wood’s statements and said that the technology center was built on time and under budget. 

Orange and Rockland representative Charmaine Cigliano talked about the “Lighten Up” incentive program.  According to Cigliano, this would include a free energy audit and survey.  In addition, O and R will pay 70 percent of the installed equipment costs that include items like high efficiency lighting, fixtures, and heating.  She used Spring Valley Beckerle Lumber as an example, which made their money back in six months.  More information on Lighten Up can be found at www.lightenupnow.com.

A few others spoke at the event including Synergis Neil Cutler, NYSERDA’s Pat Courtney Strong, Mercury Solar System’s Tim Rothchild, Siemen’s Bill Tangney, and Daylight Savings Company’s Frank Lauricella.  Each of them offered more ways to become a smarter user of energy and waste.  NYSERDA has a few programs that can be found at www.getenergysmart.org.  

Each of the companies have provided ways to combat energy costs by educating people through any means necessary, whether it be through audits, getting people involved in local programs, or simply directing them to websites.  Most in attendance felt this was crucial knowledge for everyone.   

“It’s important for people to learn about the environment and what they can do to help,” said Florin Maghiar, Suffern resident and RCC student. 

To learn more about going green and the Rockland Business Association, visit www.rocklandbusiness.org.