Saturday, September 19, 2009

Monroe County and City of Rochester NY start Green studies

Last week was the beginning of the energy block grant program in Rochester area. Both County and City presented to the audience what their plans are for energy conservation planning. City of Rochester also started " Cool Rochester" program where individuals make a commitment to reduce their carbon foot print. Rochester's goal is to involve local citizens and reduce 1 Billion pounds of CO2 emissions in 3 years.
Larsen Engineers was part of this program and shared our efforts to make a difference in our own lives and educate others to do the same. The green message must get to the roots of our communities and see how we inspire each other to fight this fight for independence from imported oil.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Smart communities should treat small businesses as Goose that lays golden eggs

In this economy there are many communities that are facing decline in industrial commercial activities. This is the time to look at large tax payers as revenue producers and therefore worth preserving. Think of them as a goose that lays golden egg every day and can fly away to another pond. To assure getting the golden egg one must ask the goose what can we do make you happy and provide assistance to resolve any problems. This is the proactive approach.
In the same way, the Mayors and Supervisors should be calling the CEO of the companies that create jobs in their community and find out what are their problems. Sustainable green planning takes a comprehensive approach to involve all aspects of our community and find ways to make them cost efficient. Look for funding assistance to resolve critical problems and keep the existing businesses and job creating entities from leaving town. This requires change from the attitude that assumes that all tax payers will continue to stay in town. In free democracy the goose can fly to neighboring state and be treated like welcome guest with many incentives offered to move.
Only smart planning and proactive approach can help us deal with this issue.

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Thursday, September 03, 2009

Urban Sustainable Green Landscape is ready for change

I met a Village Mayor today and mentioned how communities need to look long range for saving energy and controlling costs. The reality is that taxes are high and costs must be contained by using new green power technology.
Wind turbines were mentioned in our conversation and the typical image of very tall units of megawatt production capacity came to their mind. They could not imagine what the wind turbines of small size would like spread over typical Village and Town landscape. Actual installation can only make it possible for people to visualize a positive image and support such future installations. Creative designs are needed to make an artistic impact to win over the hearts and minds of local residents.
Check the following links to see what is possible at very small in 1 to 50KW size located on top of buildings in the communities with wind potential. www.jetprotech.com.tw
We are planning a 1 KW demonstration project near Lake Ontario or in Finger Lakes community to collect performance data and project the cost of Power production. The expectation is that we can produce power under 6 cents per KWH and fix it for long term. With rising cost of power in 2010 onwards, installation of wind gardens in small communities will show one way to harvest what mother nature has given us to energize our communities.
Ram