Somers Committee Seeks Green Energy Plan
A group of Somers residents is proposing an ambitious five-year plan to significantly increase the use of clean energy in town.
The Somers Town Board appeared receptive to a plan introduced to the public by Somers Energy and Environment Committee member Michael Blum to increase sustainable energy in Somers’ homes, schools, businesses and town government facilities through the Sustainability Action Plan. Blum and his colleagues are seeking formal adoption of their plan by the town board following town hall meetings and want to incorporate the initiatives into the town’s Master Plan.
Blum, who compiled the committee’s recommendations, told the town board that a series of meetings on energy conducted seven months ago began the process of compiling the recommendations. He said he has spoken with several town residents about his committee’s proposals. “This is important to them,” he said.
Some of the Phase One goals include having 60 percent of homes and between 20 and 50 percent of businesses implement energy conservation measurers through an expansion of the Energize initiative; have about 80 percent of schools, homes and businesses take part in projects to increase their recycling of waste; and have a program to reduce air pollution in which 20 to 50 percent of homes and businesses would participate and between 30 and 60 percent of government buildings and schools take part.
Some of the proposed Phase Two projects include creating a renewable energy center at the Angle Fly Preserve that would provide education programs on green energy; obtaining state and federal funds and private donations for clean energy projects; significantly increase the use of solar power in town; work to decrease the number of power outages via such means as replacing poles that hold up overhead power lines and exploring the placement of some power lines under ground, working with utility companies; have up to 50 percent of school buses and town government vehicles be hybrid vehicles; and have up to 80 percent of business utilize renewable energy sources;
Councilman Richard Benedict said the town has already begun green energy programs. For example, the town changed 90 bulbs in street lights with more energy efficient bubs, he said. The town will do a study to see if the bulb replacement saved money and have the program expanded, he added.
Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy said she wanted to set up a meeting between committee members and town department heads to discuss the proposals.
Though his committee has laid out several ideas, it is continuing to seek public input, Blum said. “I think we need to hear more ideas,” he said. “This has to be a collective thing.”
