Archive: Around Town

The local environmental nonprofit Solar Tompkins has named Jonathan Comstock as Director of its HeatSmart home energy program. Comstock had been serving as chair of the Solar Tompkins Board of Directors.

“Jonathan has brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm to our organization for the last four years,” said incoming Chair Brian Eden. “We are so fortunate to have someone with his talents and commitment in this position.”

A resident of Caroline, Comstock has been active in local energy issues for many years. He is a founding member of Energy Independent Caroline, served as a co-author of the ClimAID report of the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), and was in charge of content for the website Cornell Climate Change: Research, Education and Public Resources.

He holds a Ph.D. in plant ecology and worked in various roles at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell from 1993 to 2016.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to work with dedicated activists, top-notch local businesses, and the very special communities of Tompkins County to score a win-win-win for the environment, the economy, and our personal comfort,” Comstock said.

HeatSmart Tompkins promotes home insulation, air sealing, and the use of highly efficient air- and ground-source heat pump systems. The program simplifies the process for homeowners by pre-selecting local contractors and offering better-than- market pricing.

HeatSmart launched last year. The 2017 program will re-launch in early February with community information meetings around the county.

Roughly three-fourths of residential energy use in Tompkins County is for heating, cooling, and hot water. Nearly all of that energy still comes from burning fossil fuels, but for homeowners who have installed solar panels, or who buy electricity from a solar or wind farm, home heating and cooling with heat pumps can be virtually fossil fuel-free.

The HeatSmart initiative of Solar Tompkins is the first program of its kind in New York State. Matt Johnston served as director in its first season.

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