BPCA - Green Workforce Conference in Tarrytown at the Tappan Hill Mansion

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 08, 2009 – Located on the former estate of Mark Twain, the Tappan Hill Mansion was the ideal meeting place for the Green Workforce Conference – hosted on October 7th, 2009 by Building Performance Contractors Association Downstate Chapter. Contractors and communities working together taking an in-depth look at how to make our community greener through energy efficiency management.

“We need new ways to work together”, states Thomas J. Abinanti, Westchester County legislator. Anthony Marmo president of Clover Heating and Cooling, described the importance of achieving this Milestone and shared his views on indoor comfort needs. Anthony asked everyone to help out with the nuts and bolts so that the Green Workforce Conference can provide homeowners with an energy efficient home, resulting in energy savings and a greener environment.

County executive Andy Spano stated that the County Government is all for energy efficiency and when it comes to Municipalities, he cited Bedford as is his favorite model followed by Greenburgh. “You are Pioneers in a new Century and the County Government wants you to succeed”. Andy Spano, a protector of the environment, has initiated dozens of programs to improve the quality of life in Westchester and his support is key to the successful outcome of the Green Workforce Conference.

The Luncheon highlight were the Cider Glazed Chicken, filled with chicken sausage, fennel and leeks and a dessert that looked as good at it tasted: Chocolate over Bananas, a cylinder of chocolate and banana semi-freddo filled with a liquid chocolate center. Warm banana caramel compote and pecan praline brittle.Coffee and a tea assortment was served while Dick Kornbluth, president of BPCA and Mark Wyman from NYSERDA, presented on energy savings through efficient energy management.

Energy efficiency saves energy instantly, while the money savings takes place over time. So the trick is to find a way to save energy instantly while using the projected money savings as collateral for State financing to the homeowner. Environmental responsibility is key to maintaining a solid ecological balance.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority works with the contractor and provides funding opportunities for the homeowner when cost effective energy efficiency improvements take place. Some Municipalities are lending 30% of the upfront costs to favor energy efficiency and using taxability over the next ten to twenty years to recover the cash outlay. The taxability is attached to the home and carries over to the new owners if the borrower defaults or the house is sold.

Climate change and global warming caused by human activities needs to be addressed, so that everyone has a chance to do their part in making the planet a better place to live in.