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hink Neighbor is a state-of-the-art,zero-emissions vehicle you may havespotted on Bronx streets. Part of ademonstration project by the Office

of the Bronx Borough President, the vehi-cle helps heighten awareness of this envi-ronmentally-friendly transportationoption. The economical Think Neighbor ispart of a new class of “low-speed vehicles”which are well suited to local street speedlimits and which are gaining in popularityin communities across the country.

ronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion,Jr. and the Bronx Overall EconomicDevelopment Corporation (BOEDC)have established the Bronx Initiative forEnergy and the Environment (BIEE) to

fund pilot and demonstration projects pro-

moting a greener Bronx. In addition toreceiving funds for implementation costs,participating organizations will reap long-term energy savings from increased efficien-cy.Turn to page 4 in this insert to see howyour organization can apply for funding

INTRODUCING THE BRONX INITIATIVEFOR ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENTA New Funding Program From BOEDC

#1

BDear Business Leader,

I am pleased to announce that at my request,BOEDC has established the Bronx Initiative forEnergy and the Environment (BIEE). This newand forward-looking initiative will address someof the serious environmental issues facing ourborough. In the process, businesses will learnhow energy efficiency translates into opera-tional savings.

Hands-on assistance to Bronx businesseswill include energy audits to help companiesbetter assess their energy costs and potentialsavings; low-cost loans to help implement newtechnology; retrofitting commercial and residen-tial boilers; jumpstarting the use of electric andhybrid vehicles; planting trees and creatinggreen roofs.

Bronx businesses and residents alike share alove for our borough, and the BIEE programswill help us work together to become a moreenvironmentally aware and progressive commu-nity. Please take a moment to review the infor-mation contained here, then call to have aBOEDC representative meet with you to cus-tomize a program that works for your company.

I wish you continued success.Sincerely,Adolfo Carrión, Jr.

Bronx Borough President

Bronx BoroughPresidentAdolfo Carrion, Jr.

HAVE YOU SEENTHIS VEHICLE?

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BOEDC has partnered with theDepartment of Environmental Protectionto provide funding to Bronx auto bodyshops to purchase “High Volume LowPressure” spray guns. Spray guns are asignificant pollutant of volatile organiccompounds (VOC) and particulate emis-sions. The new spray guns use 25% lesspaint and emit about 50% less particulatesthan the conventional spray guns theyreplace. Using less paint per car reducessupply costs for Bronx businesses.

The program provides full reimburse-ment for new spray paint guns purchased

if the auto body shop turns in an old gunin exchange. Funds will be given directlyto Bronx auto body shops, based onreceipt and approval by the Department ofEnvironmental Protection (DEP). DEP’sEnvironmental Economic DevelopmentAssistance Unit (EEDAU) will administerthe program. The EEDAU is dedicated tofostering cooperation towards our commu-nity’s twin goals of economic developmentand environmental protection.

Businesses wishing to participate in theprogram should contact DEP EEDAU’sDirector, Rose Marabetti at (718) 595-4541.

“HIGH VOLUME LOW PRESSURE” SPRAYGUNS AVAILABLE TO AUTO BODY SHOPS

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nergy is one of our most importantresources. And after payroll andemployee benefits costs, it is also oneof the biggest factors in businessoverhead expenses. Companies and

organizations can intelligently trim theirenergy costs in a number of differentways.

There is an old saying that informationused wisely is money. In dealing withenergy use, this is also true. More to thepoint, good information will allow you tosave money. So the first step to trimmingyour energy bill is to have an energy sur-vey done of the work premises.

A survey gives an employer or buildingowner a basic idea of what types of incen-tive programs, exterior and interior build-ing modifications (windows, etc.), lightingfixture upgrades, and heating, ventilationand air conditioning refurbishments areavailable for the structure.

It will also give you the approximatecost of these measures and the energy sav-ings one could reasonably expect fromthem with today’s energy costs, adjustedfor inflation. A survey might take a coupleof days or perhaps longer depending onhow much cooperation and time the com-pany doing the survey gets from theorganization interested in cutting its ener-gy bills.

BOEDC can put businesses in touchwith an organization that will do an ener-gy survey at no cost to businesses, provid-ed they are located in the Bronx.

Once the survey is completed, the nextstep is to decide which improvements willgive the business and/or building ownersthe biggest “bang for the buck.” Lightingsystem improvements are usually the bestway to cut energy costs because the sav-ings are substantial over time when com-pared to the cost of installation.

After lighting, modifications to thebuilding envelope (new windows or roof),the interior (zoned heating/air condition-ing, ceiling fans) or perhaps upgrades tothe HVAC system are usually areas whereenergy can be saved.

It is never too late to begin the processof saving energy. Call BOEDC today at(718)590-5262 and make an appointmentto get your energy survey scheduled.

The author is a Communications Specialistwith The New York Power Authority (NYPA), thenation’s largest state-owned power organization.

Through its statewide network of generatingplants and transmission facilities, the PowerAuthority provides lower-cost electricity to job-producing industries, government agencies,community-owned electric systems, privateutilities for resale, without profit, to their cus-tomers, and to neighboring states, under feder-al requirements.

INFORMATION FIRST STEP INENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES

Ed Birdie

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he Energy $mart Audit Program,sponsored by the New York StateEnergy & Research DevelopmentAuthority (NYSERDA), is designed toassist facilities in reducing overhead

costs by identifying capital improvementswith immediate energy cost savings.NYSERDA selected EME GROUP, a profes-sional engineering firm in NYC, to conductlow cost energy surveys for Bronx busi-nesses.

The survey begins with a walk-throughsite visit to evaluate the customer’s facilityand identify energy-saving capitalimprovements. Funding opportunitiesfrom NYSERDA to offset implementationcosts are also identified. The Energy $martAudit Program is available to small com-mercial and industrial facilities and non-profit organizations that are Con Edisoncustomers with an annual electric bill of$100,000 or less.

NYSERDA has offered this program forseveral years and requires that a businesspay half of the audit cost ($400 to $1200).

For a limited time, Bronx businesses cantake advantage of this program through theFree Bronx Energy Survey. The Free BronxEnergy Survey will cover the business’share of the cost.

By participating in the audit, customersreceive expertise on how to cut energycosts and improve energy efficiencythrough upgrading energy intensive equip-ment. The list below is a sample of savings.

Funding opportunities for energy savingcapital improvements exist through theNYSERDA Energy $martsm Loan Fund aswell as the Smart Equipment Choices

Program. NYSERDA Energy $martsm LoanFund buys down 4.0% interest of anapproved loan that focuses on implement-ing energy saving measures. In addition,the Smart Equipment Choices Programallows businesses to apply for financialincentives when purchasing and installingenergy efficient equipment.

Please visit www.nyserda.org/energyau-dit.htm for more information or contactEME GROUP at 212-529-5969 with anyquestions or comments. Also, you can con-tact Mark Gundrum, NYSERDA ProjectManager at 518-862-1090 x3256.

SAVE THROUGH THEENERGY $MART AUDIT PROGRAMFree Audits Available To BronxBusinesses For A Limited Time

Upgrade HVAC System $15,000 $3,500 4.3

Upgrade Fluorescent Lighting $6,250 $3,451 1.8

Install High Efficiency Motors $3,000 $1,378 2.2

Install LED Exit Signs $400 $103 3.8

Totals $24,650 $8432 2.9

Description Cost Savings Payback(Years)

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ver the past 200 years, the steadydestruction of trees and green areasresulting from the growth of cities hasresulted in “urban heat islands,”a phe-

nomenon in which the air in cities on warmsummer days is 6-8 degrees hotter than insurrounding areas. Decreasing land spaceand concern for the health of its residentshas spurred New York City to join a smallgroup of municipalities which are exploringthe so-called fifth façade of buildings—theroof—for solutions. Through the creation of“green roofs”, which are planted with livingvegetation, nature is brought back into thecity environment.

A green roof, or ecoroof, is a lightweight,low-maintenance vegetated roof systemused in place of a conventional roof. Greenroofs can work on most types of commer-cial, multi-family and industrial structures,as well as single-family homes and garages,and they can be used for new constructionor to re-roof an existing building. Greenroofs have increasingly become part of theEuropean landscape since the 1970’s. Thereare over 100 million sq. ft. of planted roofsin Europe today, with Germany leading theway with a 40-year history and a proventrack record in installation, performance,and life cycle. Other places utilizing thegreen roof technology are France, Canadaand, in the U.S., Portland, OR, Seattle, WA,and Chicago, IL. The biggest green roof inthe world, covering 454,000 sq. ft. is the FordMotor Company’s River Rouge PlantedRoof, completed in September 2002 andpictured here.

Economic BenefitsBased on documented experience and

studies, a green roof offers important eco-nomic benefits not found in conventionalroofing:

• Reduced energy costs: When the out-side air temperature reaches 95º F., rooftopsurface temperatures can be as high as 175ºF. These temperatures impact not only thetemperature within the building, but alsothe amount of energy necessary to heat andcool the building. Due to their superiorinsulating properties, green roofs havebeen proven to reduce heating and coolingcosts by up to 25 and 50% respectively, forthe floor directly below the roof. They alsosignificantly slow a building’s heat gain andloss

• Extended roof life: Green roofs lasttwice as long as conventional roofs, savingreplacement costs and materials. This isbecause the membranes are of good qualityand the plants and growth medium protect

the membrane from weathering. Greenroofs also have significantly lower mainte-nance costs than a conventional roof;

• Creates market: Green roof technologyutilizes recycled materials such as compost,mulch, soil and other ecoroof components,increasing the market for these materials;

• Job development: Use of green roofsdevelops jobs in green roof installation,maintenance and supply. In Germany,12,000 people are currently employed in thegreen roof industry.

Environmental BenefitsGreen roofs also make our cities better

places to live:• Air quality improvement: Green roofs

decrease air temperatures and reducesmog, thereby improving outside air quali-ty.

• Urban Heat Island: A study byEnvironment Canada indicates thatinstalling green roofs on only 6% of totalavailable roof space could reduce urbansummer temperatures by 25%. Models forNew York City calculate a similar decrease.

• Stormwater management: In urbanareas, 75% of rainwater can become surfacerunoff, often carrying contamination andpollution into water goodies and openwater sources. Green roofs help alleviatethis problem through natural absorptionand recycling of rainwater; they captureand evaporate 10-100% of the precipitationthat falls on it. They lower the temperatureof stormwater runoff, helping to maintainthe cool stream temperatures needed byfish. Green roofs also help prevent seweroverflows caused by heavy rains.

• Noise abatement: This is a provengreen roof benefit and is especially effectivein areas near airports or industrial sites.Extensive layers of vegetation can reduce

noise by 40 decibels in the building under-neath, a consideration used to justify thegreen roof planned for the new visitor audi-torium at the Queens Botanical Gardennear both of NYC’s major airports.

• Asthetic improvement: Green roofs pro-vide visual relief to city residents, helpingto mitigate the stress and trauma of urbanliving. Studies have shown that patientsrecovering from illness or surgery healfaster when their view is of plants versusbrick walls or asphalt roofs.

Green Roof CostsThere is a wide range of costs, depending

on many factors. Installation of a greenroof costs from $10-$25 per sq. ft., whichincludes materials, labor and structuralupgrades. A conventional roof installationranges from $3 to $20 per sq. ft. As thegreen market develops, costs may decrease.

Although green roofs initially cost morethan conventional roofs, they are competi-tive on a life-cycle basis because of reducedmaintenance and replacement costs. Thetypical lifespan for a green roof is about 40years, significantly longer than a conven-tional roof.

More Information:You can visit the following websites for

more information on green roofs:www.cleanrivers-pdx.orgwww.greengridroofs.com

BOEDC is exploring providing a greenroof for a manufacturer or multi-familybuilding in the South Bronx. If you areinterested in exploring this possibility,please contact Kate Shackford at (718) 590-7159.

Much of the above information was extracted from“Rooftops: The Fifth Façade As Urban Frontier”byKaren S. Kaplan, Lehman College, The CityUniversity of New York, 2003.

GREEN ROOFS:The Next Urban Frontier

O The Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge Planted Roof

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Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment

Environmental Grants ProgramRequest for Proposals - Due March 15, May 14 and September 15, 2004

The Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment (BIEE), a program of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, announces the establishment of theEnvironmental Grants Program. The Environmental Grants Program challenges non-profit organizations and small businesses to utilize new technologies to achieveenergy efficiency and implement mitigation strategies in the Bronx.Up to $1.15 million in funding is available for eligible projects that increase energy efficiency and/or reduce pollution. Eligible projects include: weatherization technol-ogy; lighting upgrades; solar/wind technology; green building components; boiler retrofits; and new energy technology. Additional projects meeting program prioritieswill be considered. Priority will be given to projects that:

• Result in the greatest pollution reduction or energy savings per program dollar;• Leverage private and public cost-sharing for project development;• Represent a planned approach to new technology use or development;• Offer unique and innovative partnerships and approaches to meeting critical needs and priorities.

Eligible applicants: Non-profit organizations and small businesses operating in the Bronx.Proposal Format: Project Summary should not exceed 1 page, with the total project narrative not exceeding ten (10) pages.

Five (5) copies must be clearly labeled and submitted to:Kate Shackford, DirectorBronx Initiative for Energy and the EnvironmentBronx Overall Economic Development Corporation198 East 161st Street, Suite 201Bronx, New York 10451

Proposal Deadline: Proposals will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and should be received by March 15, May 14, and September 15, 2004.Program questions can be directed to Kate Shackford at (718) 590-7159 or kate@boedc.org

Bronx Environmental Revolving Loan FundFor-profit entities, which includes service, retail and manufacturing businesses operating in the Bronx; non-profit organizations located in the Bronx; and housing

corporations are eligible to apply for loans under the BOEDC’s new Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment.

For more information, contact Kate Shackford at (718)590-7159 or email her at kate@boedc.org

Eligible Uses:Implementation of energy efficient measures, including:• electric/alternative fuel machinery and equipment;• boiler retrofit;• new technology to reduce air pollution and/or cause energy savings, e.g.:

> green roofs and other greening measures;> solar technology;> wind technology;

• customized energy survey.

Size of Loan: Minimum: $10,000; Maximum: $500,000Term of Loan: Up to 10 years, contingent upon amount of loan.Origination Fees: 2% based upon amount of loan.Business Owner’s Equity Participation: 10% for existing businesses;

25% for start-ups.Underlying Criteria: Clean credit history.Collateral: Will vary depending upon project.Guarantees: Principals, Corporations, etc.Fees: Application Fee: $250 (non-refundable).

Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment

Electric Transportation Grants ProgramRequest for Proposals - Due March 15, May 14 and September 15, 2004

The Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment (BIEE), a program of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, announces the establishment of theElectric Transportation Grants Program. The grants program challenges non-profit organizations and small businesses to utilize electric and electric hybrid technolo-gies to achieve energy efficiency and implement mitigation strategies in the Bronx.

Up to $1.5 million in funding is available for eligible projects that increase energy efficiency and/or reduce emissions. Eligible projects include: all-electric or hybridelectric vehicles; electric forklifts; other electric equipment; and new electric transportation technology. Additional projects meeting program priorities will be consid-ered. Priority will be given to projects that:

• Result in the greatest emissions reduction per program dollar;• Offset the greatest amount of petroleum fuel;• Leverage private and public cost-sharing for infrastructure development and vehicle acquisition;• Offer unique and innovative partnerships and approaches to meeting critical needs and priorities.

Eligible applicants: Non-profit organizations and small businesses operating in the Bronx.Proposal Format: Project Summary should not exceed 1 page, with the total project narrative not exceeding ten (10) pages.

Five (5) copies must be clearly labeled and submitted to:Kate Shackford, DirectorBronx Initiative for Energy and the EnvironmentBronx Overall Economic Development Corporation198 East 161st Street, Suite 201Bronx, New York 10451

Proposal Deadline: Proposals will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and should be received by March 15, May 14, and September 15, 2004.Program questions can be directed to Kate Shackford at (718) 590-7159 or kate@boedc.org