ENERGY

Conservation and Efficiency Resources:

The Consumer Education Program for Residential Energy Efficiency (CEPREE) is a joint effort involving the Department of Environmental Design and Analysis within the College of Human Ecology, Cornell University and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The goals of this program are to improve consumers' awareness and understanding of the importance and benefits of energy efficiency in building practices and installing energy efficient products.

Partners:

The Energy Star Program is a cooperative program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy which promotes energy efficient products and practices to assist in saving the environment while providing economic benefits to residential and commercial users.

NYSERDA (NYS Energy Research and Development Authority) offers several programs that help homeowners, renters and multi-family building owners to reduce energy costs and increase efficiency while decreasing the impact that residences have on the environment.

The U.S. Department of Energy hosts the federal government's official website on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Resources:

Biofuels and Renewable Energy Systems highlights the efforts within Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) to develop renewable, clean energy and economically sustainable systems to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Ongoing research regarding Biogas, which is a product of anaerobic digester systems is part of the Manure Management Program at Cornell University.

The Cow Power project, jointly funded by Cornell and NYSERDA, has studied the potential for biogas energy conversion on NYS dairy farms using fuel cell technology.

Grass Bioenergy - the growing of perennial grasses to produce grass pellet energy on marginal farmland provides an alternative for rural communities.

The Department of Applied Economics and Management within CALS at Cornell University provides the following information for landowners and communities on renewable energy resources:

• Leasing of Natural Gas & Drilling Rights on Public and Private Lands in New York (2003)
• Economic Analysis of Anaerobic Digestion Systems and the Financial Incentives Provided by NYS.....(2004)
• Timber Prices: A Guide for Woodlot Owners in New York State (2005).
• Wind Energy Development in New York State: Issues for Landowners (2005).
• Municipal Approaches to Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Production: A Resource for Community Energy Initiatives (2007).

Partners:

The New York State Department of Conservation (DEC), Division of Mineral Resources, provides: A Landowners Guide to Oil and Gas Leasing (2008).

NYSERDA is working to build a vibrant revewable energy industry in the state through its Power Naturally Program that involves industry, the renewable energy workforce and associated businesses, as well as the general public.