Vision, Mission, Goals & more...feedback needed!

Vision creates meaning for everyone in the organization
Vision provides a worthwhile challenge
Vision is energizing
Vision brings the future into the present
Vision creates a common identity

Looking at the district's vision and mission statement as posted on the website I question additions on the behalf of this committee, and I suggest an alternative. Using the district website to host a link for the Go Green Initiative may be beneficial in several ways. The Hilton Education Foundation is already using this venue. Visibility and communication are two good reasons. Instead of trying to fit into the district's general statement, what if we decide on and post the vision, mission, and goals of this committee and ask the BOE to recognize/endorse them?

Mission Statement

The Hilton Central School District Go Green Initiative Committee is dedicated to facilitating collaboration with all interested parties/stakeholders that will lead us toward improved sustainability in our processes and practices with an emphasis on environmental responsibility.

Vision Statement

The Hilton Central School District Go Green Initiative Committee envisions sustainability and environmental stewardship woven throughout the fabric of the district's culture as well as the community it lives in.

Goals Statement

The goals of the Hilton Central School District Go Green Initiative Committee are:


Actively outreach for community and individual involvement that will increase public awareness and buy-in of our mission (communications e.g. website, newsletter, person to person, school events and/or challenges).

Collaborate on mapping available relational, informational and financial resources.

Research, prepare, present, and recommend opportunities that align with our mission to all stakeholders.

Conduct and maintain a creditable greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Set quantifiable indicators and use them consistently with assigned time frames. (I suggest CACP which is available from the Local Governments for Sustainability)

I am throwing this out there with the hope that everyone will comment (improve) on it and work together to get this rolling. I believe that we need to have this in place, endorsed, and visible as an anchor first. Please reply to this blog with your suggestions.

State Assistance Programs for Waste Reduction, Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Programs

State Assistance Programs for Waste Reduction, Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Programs

NYSDEC administers state assistance programs for waste reduction, recycling and household hazardous waste (HHW) programs. Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs.
Programs

Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling Program (MWR&R):
bulldozers

Capital Projects - DEC is authorized to provide State assistance for projects that enhance municipal recycling infrastructure through purchasing of equipment or construction of facilities. Some communities used funding to construct materials recycling facilities or state-of-the-art composting facilities. Other communities have been able to purchase recycling containers and new recycling vehicles with their MWR&R funding.

Recycling Coordinators - DEC is authorized to provide State assistance for Recycling Coordinator salaries and for public education programs conducted by municipalities. This funding can help expand local recycling and waste reduction programs and increase participation.

Household Hazardous Waste State Assistance Program:

DEC is authorized to provide State assistance for HHW collection days, and construction of permanent HHW collection facilities in order to provide a safe alternative for recycling or disposal of household hazardous materials.
Application Materials

Proposals for projects are accepted on an ongoing first-come-first-served basis. New applicants are asked to file a pre-application, enabling DEC to provide a preliminary review of proposed projects, and to establish a position on the waiting list.

Pre-Application forms for Recycling State Assistance:
1. Capital Projects (pdf, 71KB) - Fill in format
2. Recycling Coordinator (pdf, 72KB) - Fill in format

Full Application Packages:
1. Capital Projects (pdf, 208KB)
2. Recycling Coordinator (pdf, 206KB)
3. Household Hazardous Waste (pdf, 374KB)

Potential applicants are requested to contact DEC before filing a pre-application if they are uncertain about the eligibility of their proposals or would like an update on the length of the waiting list.
Funding Sources

Passage of the Environmental Protection Act in 1993 created the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a continuing source of funds dedicated specifically for environmental projects, including programs such as the Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling (MWR&R) Program to help municipalities meet environmental goals and mandates. From 1994 to 2007, the MWRR program has been appropriated nearly $83 million. The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996 provided $50 million in additional State assistance for these purposes.
Types of Projects Funded

Materials Recovery Facilities in the Counties of Rockland, Cortland, Ulster, Sullivan, Westchester, and others.

Recyclables Processing Equipment in the Counties of Monroe, Chenango, Fulton, Hamilton, Chautauqua, Cayuga, Steuben and many others.

Improvements to Recycling Drop-off Centers in the Counties of Jefferson, Lewis, Ontario and the Towns of Colonie, Nassau, Edinburg, Southampton, City of Long Beach, and others

Recycling Collection Vehicles in the Counties of Cattaraugus, Broome, Town of Oyster Bay, Hempstead, Village of Castleton and Sleepy Hollow, and Cities of Albany, Yonkers, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Jamestown, Poughkeepsie, North Tonawanda, New York and others.

Composting Facilities and Equipment in the Counties of Delaware, Washington, Erie, Oneida, and Towns of Islip, Southold, Southampton, Bethlehem, Newfane, Amherst and others.

Household Recycling Bins in Counties of Onondaga, Rockland, Broome, Seneca, Niagara, the Town of Yorktown and others.

Recycling Coordination and Educational projects in the Counties of Allegany, Broome, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Genesee, Madison, Monroe, Oneida, Onondaga, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Schuyler, Tompkins, Ulster, Wayne, Westchester, and the Towns of Islip, Huntington, Brookhaven, Hempstead, New York City and others.

Materials Reuse Exchanges in the Hudson Valley, Town of Islip, City of Buffalo and New York City.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection in 50 Municipalities Statewide.

Over the life of this program, more than 750 grants have been awarded.

For general information about recycling, visit http://www.nyrecycles.org/

LEED...future offering to the BOE?

Sample Green Schools Resolution

Whereas deteriorating school infrastructure and poor indoor environmental quality threaten the health, well being and achievement of staff and students;

Whereas current climate and energy challenges compound the structural and resource deficiencies of our district’s schools;

Whereas green schools are schools that create a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money;

Whereas, green schools create a learning environment that supports student learning through improvements in site selection, daylighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics, and classroom design – all of which have an important impact on a child’s ability to learn and a teacher’s ability to teach;

Whereas, the benefits of superior indoor air quality – a key emphasis of green schools – have been linked to lower asthma rates, fewer allergies, reduced absenteeism, and increased teacher retention rates;

Whereas, green schools use an average of 30 – 50% less energy compared to conventional schools;

Whereas, green schools cost less to operate, utilize durable materials, and greatly reduce water and energy use, which generates significant financial savings;

Whereas, green schools provide an educational experience that transcends the classroom by creating a host of opportunities for curriculum innovation and hands-on, project based learning in which the building itself becomes an interactive teaching tool;

Whereas green schools do not cost more to build than conventional schools;

Therefore, be it resolved that:

Effective ______, for new construction and major renovation projects undertaken using District funds the school district will seek and submit application for LEED certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Schools or LEED for New Construction rating system as appropriate. The school district will undertake a good faith effort of meeting a minimum of LEED Silver certification, or receive a rating under a comparable system with requirements at least equivalent to the requirements of LEED Silver certification. Projects are encouraged to earn LEED Gold or LEED Platinum certification, or an equivalent rating, to the extent practicable.

Effective _____, the district will register all facilities under the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance rating system, or under a comparable system with requirements at least as equivalent to the LEED for Existing Buildings Operation & Maintenance rating system. The district will pursue certification for each facility to the extent practicable.

The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED for Schools is the recognized benchmark for green schools, with third-party reviews to ensure that school are healthy for students, comfortable for teachers and cost-effective.

The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell.

what is available...options

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Wind for Schools
program is designed to raise awareness about the benefits of
wind energy while simultaneously developing a wind energy
knowledge base in future leaders of our communities, states,
and nation. To accommodate the many stakeholders who are
interested in the program, a Wind for Schools affiliate program
has been implemented. Individual K-12 schools or states that
join the affiliate program will not receive financial support from
DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL),
but they will receive access to technical assistance, program
Web sites, and information. The program is designed to
support schools that wish to implement wind-related educational
curricula and install a Wind for Schools wind turbine
system or states that intend to implement a statewide program.
In both cases, a key element of the program is to install small
wind turbines at K-12 schools to be used in combination with
age-appropriate, hands-on, wind-related curricula taught in
science classes. The standard Wind for Schools system is
further described in the Wind for Schools Project Power System
Brief (available at www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/45685.pdf),but
the system can include other turbines if appropriate. State-
Wind for Schools Affiliate Programs
based programs would support the implementation of
a Wind Applications Center (WAC) at a local engineering
university or college to lead efforts to implement Wind for
Schools systems at multiple state K-12 schools.
The two affiliate programs are described in detail below.
Individual K-12 Wind for Schools
Affiliate Program
The K-12 Wind for Schools affiliate program is designed to
support the implementation of an education program at a K-12
school with staff interested in incorporating wind energy into
existing educational programs.
Program Support
Although the DOE’s Wind for Schools program will not
provide monetary support to an affiliate K-12 program, it will
provide support in other areas. As a Wind for Schools K-12
affiliate, a school’s staff will gain access to:
• Project implementation documents, including interconnection
specifications and foundation information
WIND AND HYDROPOWER TECHNOLOGIES
PROGRAM
continued >

Something to look into...

NYSERDA Offers a Free
Energy Benchmarking Service
How energy efficient are your schools? Would you like to find out? Well, now you can…for FREE!
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), through TRC Energy
Services, analyzes and ranks the energy performance of K-12 schools in New York State. Already close to 800
schools — 30% of all eligible K-12 schools in the State — have taken advantage of this FREE service. In fact,
some of these schools have taken steps based on our recommendations to become more energy efficient and
have already begun to see SAVINGS!
Since this Benchmarking program began in 2003, the price of natural gas has increased by 123%, the price of
fuel oil has increased by 107%, and the price of electricity has increased by 32%. As you know, it is becoming
increasingly hard to maintain a reasonable budget. But there is hope! Schools that have participated in the
Energy Benchmarking Program have shown a decrease in overall energy use of over 20%.
If you believe you are already energy efficient, you might belong to the top 25% of schools nationwide that can
qualify for and receive the ENERGY STAR® Label, certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to
display in your school and demonstrate to everyone how efficient your building is. Additionally, school districts
demonstrating outstanding district wide improvement in energy efficiency can qualify for the ENERGY STAR®
Leader award.
Participation is completely voluntary, confidential, and FREE! All you have to do is:
• Fill out the attached Building Data Request Form for each building and
• Send us at least 12 consecutive months of electric and heating fuel bills (natural gas, fuel oil, or propane) for
each building; preferably 36 months if you can do so. Be sure to include the monthly usage as well as the
delivery and supply costs if they are separate. You can e-mail the data to us in a spread sheet or as a PDF
file, or you can mail us paper copies. If you send us a spreadsheet, please include electricity kW Demand.
Fax to: 518-348-1194
E-mail to: NYSchoolsBenchmarking@trcsolutions.com
Mail to: TRC Energy Services, 10 Maxwell Dr., Suite 200, Clifton Park, NY 12065
We will run your school’s information through several models and analyze the results. Then we will use these
results to evaluate your buildings’ performances, compare your buildings to each other, and compare them to
other New York State K-12 schools. Each school will receive a report that includes a graphical representation of
the building’s performance as well as a detailed explanation of each of the indicators used to rank the building.
The building’s “carbon footprint” is included. The report will also contain recommendations as to how you
might proceed to improve the energy efficiency of the building. Finally, we will include recommendations of
which NYSERDA programs are most appropriate to help you financially and technically.
We know how hard it can be to create a cost-effective action plan to address inefficient aspects of your energy
usage. That’s why we always recommend the most general and least expensive forms of analysis first so that
you can systematically focus your improvement efforts, little by little. That way, you can invest your limited
time and resources in the weakest aspects of your district’s energy performance first. We will continue to work
with you for as long as you wish in order to find out exactly what your energy goals are and how NYSERDA’s
programs can help you achieve them.
If you have any questions, or would like to request more information about this FREE energy benchmarking
service or other available services, please don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-877-442-9181 or e-mail us at

Northeast Clean School Bus Initiative

food for thought

http://www.icleiusa.org/cleanschoolbus

WindTamer Turbines Break The Betz .593 Theoretical Limit for Wind Energy

WindTamer Turbines Break The Betz .593 Theoretical Limit for Wind Energy