Events Past Events Calendar

Events

Environmental Law Update
New Superfund and Brownfields Development Law

Wednesday, October 15th 2003 7:00-9:30 am

Sponsored by CEI and RGBN

Nazareth College
4245 East Avenue, Pittsford
Medialle Hall, Media A-Library (Breakfast in Lounge)
map

Enter at traffic light; first parking lot on right

Last year Congress made significant liability reforms to the Federal Superfund Law and enacted incentives for brownfields redevelopment. The New York State Legislature is expected to enact a new law (prior to this seminar) that makes sweeping changes related to the Federal Superfund Law and enacts a new brownfields program in New York State.

This program will be of value to municipal officials, business owners, attorneys, architects, contractors, realtors, consultants, and interested citizens.

Agenda

FEE: $40 for members of CEI and the Rochester Green Business Network
$60 for non-members. Inquire about membership or group rates. Voucher add $10.

REGISTRATION: Space is limited. Please register by mail, with check or voucher payable to‘Center for Environmental Information.’ Provide full contact details including name(s), affiliation, address, phone and email address. Send to: Center for Environmental Information, 55 St.Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14604. Phone: 585-262-2870; Fax: 585-262-4156; E-Mail: cei@frontiernet.net; Website: www.ceinfo.org

Past Events

Pollution Prevention & U.S. EPA National Performance Track

September 25th 2003

Pollution prevention (P2) is all about reducing pollutants at their source – it can lead to increased productivity and profitability, a better compliance record and contribute to the protection of the environment. P2 is an integral part of the U.S. EPA National Performance Track program, which seeks to reward companies committed to going beyond compliance with their environmental performance.

This breakfast seminar included case studies of actual pollution prevention projects; provided an overview of the benefits of being part of the National Performance Track program; and give details of P2 initiatives and grants available to businesses in New York State. As an added bonus, our host Rochester Institute of Technology, gave a presentation and a tour of their renowned National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery NCR3.

The opening address was given by NYS Assemblyman David Koon (author of the report “Helping Small Businesses Succeed Through Pollution Prevention”). The main speakers were Jim Gilbert, Environmental Manager of Empire State Development’s Environmental Services Unit (NYS’s leading provider of financial assistance for P2 projects), Steve Brown of Nucor Steel Auburn, Inc. (member of U.S. EPA’s NPT) and Newton Green of RIT’s NCR3 (winner of NYS Governor’s Awards for Pollution Prevention.

Click here for the agenda
Click here for the meeting flyer

Harbec Plastics – Sustainable Business in Practice August 19, 2003

Harbec Plastics is Rochester’s shining example of sustainable business in practice. Through the vision and leadership of Bob Bechtold, the company chairman and founder, Harbec has successfully integrated environmental considerations into its business decisions and not only has demonstrable associated cost savings, but has improved product quality.

Here are some examples of Harbec’s environmental choices:

Electricity production - the use of alternative energy sources
Selection of injection molding machines – low energy use
Waste production – eliminated virtually all production waste
Choice of company vehicles – hybrid cars
Warehouse design - LEED principles

This field trip comprised a tour of the energy generation facility and a presentation by Bob Bechtold on the environmental aspects of his business.

Small Business Hazardous Waste Disposal
Field Trip to Monroe County Household Hazardous Waste Facility

July 22nd 2003

Is your company classified as a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) of hazardous waste? If so, you could save money by disposing of your hazardous waste at the Monroe County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (MC HHW) located on East Henrietta Road, Rochester.

This field trip will comprised of a tour of the hazardous waste transfer facility and a short presentation about the cost benefits and logistics of using the MC HHW facility. The tour demonstrated how hazardous waste is accepted, handled and transferred for final disposal.

Alternative Energy – Policy and Practice June 25, 2003

(one page flyer) (program) (map to venue)

There is an increasing availability of alternative energy generated from either high efficiency co-generation plants or renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydropower. This is enabling more businesses and institutions to choose alternative energy sources that can increase the reliability of power supplies and, by reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, it is a simple step towards environmental sustainability.

This breakfast seminar was jointly presented by the Rochester Green Business Network (RGBN) and the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc. (EBA/NYS). It will provided an overview of alternative energy technologies; the latest developments in State and Federal policies and strategies – including initiatives and grants available to businesses in New York State; and practical details of geothermal heat pumps in a variety of applications.

The main speakers were Paul DeCotis, Director of NYSERDA’s Energy Analysis Team (click here to view the presentation), Jack DiEnna of the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium and Ron Kamen of Community Energy, Inc.

RGBN is an integral part of the Center for Environmental Information – a non-profit organization founded in 1974 that provides environmental information, communication services, publications and educational programs.


EBA/NYS - is the voice of New York State’s environmental business community – the Sustainable Business Task Force’s mission is to establish a forum to promote a statewide movement towards sustainability in all business sectors.


NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) – was established by 1975 law to fund research into energy supply and efficiency, as well as energy-related environmental issues.


Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium – is a nonprofit organization created in 1994 to promote the use of GeoExchange technology for both commercial and residential heating and cooling.

Community Energy Inc. – is a for-profit corporation founded by national leaders in wind-energy marketing to expand the market for clean electric supply. Under long-term arrangements with wind developers and electricity suppliers, Community Energy Inc. builds customer demand to support identified wind energy projects in the customer's region.

Kodak Field Trip Summary

How to Save Energy, Water and $$$ with ISO 14001

RGBN Launch Seminar

March 12th 2003

The RGBN got off to a great start at the breakfast seminar March 12th 2003. The main speakers were Kevin Bricke, the Deputy Director of EPA Region II’s Division of Environmental Planning and Protection and Erin Crotty, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environment and Conservation.

Giving supporting presentations were Jean Kase the Vice President of Government and Public Affairs of the Rochester Business Alliance; Ram Shrivastava, CEI Chairman of the Board of Directors; Elizabeth Thorndike, founder of CEI; and Lorna Midgelow, CEI Board Director and Project Director for RGBN.

Kevin Bricke supported the RGBN initiative and talked about the shared environmental goals of the EPA and the RGBN. He also summarized existing relevant EPA programs, namely National Performance Track (he mentioned recent recognition of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Johnson and Johnson company here in Rochester), Energy Star (Harbec Plastics received an award at the event) and WasteWise (see separate sheet for program details).

Erin Crotty spoke about Environment Investment Program funding which has been used to fund research and development at twenty two companies in NY, notable projects included Rochester-based company Schlegel Systems. She went on to describe the DECs priorities as being clean up programs, environmental justice, air pollution, a target of 25% renewable energy sources in NYS in the next decade and the introduction of California air emission standards for motor vehicles.

RGBN 2003 Calendar

March 12th (see write up above)
Seminar: EPA and NYSDEC
Environmental Initiatives for Businesses

May 7th (follow up report) (flyer)
Field Trip: Kodak Park Papermaking Plant
Energy, Waste and Cost Savings Through ISO 14001 Implementation

June 25th
Seminar: Alternative Energy – Policy and Practice (flyer)

July 22nd
Field Trip: Monroe County Hazardous Waste Facility
How to Save Money on Your Hazardous Waste Disposal

August 19th
Field Trip: Harbec Plastics
Sustainable Business in Practice

September 25
Seminar: Pollution Prevention

October 29th
Seminar: The Science behind Climate Change and Real Action for Businesses

January 2004 (date to be determined)
Field Trip: Strahallan Hotel
Installation of a Combined Heat and Power Plant

To Register, please contact RGBN by mail, phone, fax, or e-mail