Archive: News

County Electricity Consumption Will be Offset by Renewable Energy Certificates
The Legislature authorized the County to contract with Integrys Energy Services, through the Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance, for the purchase of electricity through the end of 2013, with the option to renew for an additional year.  Under the agreement, 100% of the County’s electricity use will be offset by Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)—RECs are a tradable commodity created when harnessing energy from renewable energy sources.  Approval came by a vote of 12-1, with Legislator Dooley Kiefer voting no and Legislators Carol Chock and Kathy Luz Herrera excused.

County Administrator Joe Mareane noted the purchase approach represents “best practice” consistent with the County’s Greenhouse Gas Emission goals and, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency the County’s consumption will be “100% Green,” attributed to carbon-free energy production.  The County will purchase electricity from Integrys, along with national wind RECs, with “Green-e” certification of how the RECs were applied.  Estimated electricity consumption in 2013 is estimated at 6.9 million Kilowatt hours, for an estimated cost of $827,000.  Cost of the RECs is estimated at $13,000.  Legislator Kiefer said she believes it much more important to put that amount toward a new energy project underway, the reason behind her negative vote.

Bonding Authorized for TC3 Projects
The Legislature, by unanimous vote (Legislators Carol Chock and Kathy Luz Herrera excused), approved issuance by the Tompkins County Development Corporation of $45 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds for the Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) Foundation.  The bonds, which carry no indebtedness to the County, will facilitate refinancing of existing debt for past dormitory projects, as well as renovations to two purchased buildings.  The tax-exempt bounding, which must be approved by the Legislature under state law, give non-profits access to tax-free financing under the federal Internal Revenue Code.

Jr. Tailwaggers Members Recognized as Distinguished Youth
Members of the Tompkins County Jr. Tailwaggers 4-H Drill Team are recognized as Tompkins County Distinguished Youth for November.  Nominated by Extension Community Educator Brenda Carpenter, the 16 member team, who captured Reserve Champion Honors in the Drill Team category at the New York State Fair, are recognized for their many successes in Tompkins County, not for their success in the show ring.  They are praised as a valuable community resource, sharing their “passion of pooches” with the  community, including at many community events, where they demonstrate what youth can accomplish with their dogs, and help the public learn more about their favorite canines.

In the Drill Team, youth plan the routine, select and organize the music, develop costume ideas, and facilitate the practice sessions, exhibiting leadership, patience, diligence, and practice—as well as respect and support for each other.  Jr. Tailwaggers Drill Team members include Abigail and Lindsey Caskey, Ian Chan, Claire Conklin, Monika Conrad, Brandon and Lizzy Drake, Caleb George-Hinnant, Elisa Godoy, Brian Lampman, Melissa LoPinto, Bailey Lyons, Jacob Ragusa, Hannah Ritter, and Erin and Claira Seely.  Club Leader is Cindy Wagner.  The Distinguished Youth Award is cosponsored by A&B Awards and Engraving, Bangs Ambulance, Purity Ice Cream, and Cayuga Radio Group.


Among other actions, the Legislature

• Authorized the County to apply for a Federal Transit Administration for a $5.6 million Section 5309 State of Good Repair grant on behalf of the City of Ithaca, with funds passed through to the City to apply toward reconstruction of the Ithaca Commons.  $4.5 million in federal funding would be focused on the actual Commons improvement, with a grant match of $1.1 million from City and State sources.
• Heard Pete Meyers, of the Tompkins County Workers Center, and two staff working at ReCommunity, contractor at the County Recycling and Solid Waste Center, urge the County to extend its principles as a Living Wage employer to contract employees working on behalf of the County.
• Accepted a $27,560 State Agricultural and Farmland Protection grant for update of the County’s Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan.
• Accepted nearly $162,000 in State transportation grants, as the State’s match for five federal Airport Improvement Program projects.

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