Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene Opens Her Home to share Experience after Energy Upgrade
On Tuesday, January 10, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene (right), Kate Shackford, Executive vice president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) (left), Michael Brotchner Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx (far left) , and NYSERDA to launch the Green Jobs/Green New York Bronx Outreach Program (GJ/GNY-Bronx).
Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), (NYSERDA), and environmental organization Sustainable South Bronx to launch the “Green Jobs/Green New York” Bronx Outreach Program (GJ/GNY-Bronx).
The goal of the GJGNY-BX Program is to reduce energy usage in Bronx buildings and lower energy costs for Bronx home and building owners. The objective of the program is to promote energy audits with home owners while linking them with contractors to facilitate the process of receiving free audits and energy upgrades or retrofits.
“We are very excited that this boroughwide program will lower the carbon footprint of our community by lowering energy usage. Participating home and building owners will also notice a big difference in their energy bill,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Several homes and buildings in the Bronx have already gotten free energy assessments and are moving toward retrofits, including the home of Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene.
“I had roof and wall insulation work done and I am already noticing a big difference in my home. I am confident that this retrofit will significantly increase the overall energy efficiency of my home while decreasing its greenhouse gas emissions, making the whole house feel a lot warmer during these cold winter months,” said Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene.
The BOEDC was awarded $511,460 over two years to implement the “Green Jobs/Green New York” program in the Bronx after a statewide solicitation for proposals released by NYSERDA.
The BOEDC is the only Bronx applicant chosen for this exciting initiative and is working closely with community based environmental group Sustainable South Bronx on its implementation.
“The Green Jobs/Green New York initiative is important, especially in a borough with significant environmental challenges,” said Marlene Cintrón, President of BOEDC. “This will improve our environment while assisting home and building owners looking to lower their energy costs.”
“Green Jobs/Green New York is an important initiative to help New York State make continuing progress toward its aggressive energy efficiency goals,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA.
“We need strong partners like the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation to help us with grassroots outreach. BOEDC’s deep understanding of the community it serves and residents’ trust in the organization make it an invaluable asset to New York State’s efforts to increase the energy efficiency of our homes and businesses, make us less reliant on fossil fuels, and improve our environment.”
“Sustainable South Bronx is extremely pleased to play a key role in this initiative, which will provide savings to homeowners and businesses while simultaneously promoting the environmental sustainability of the Bronx, “said Michael Brotchner, Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx.
The program will serve all 12 community boards in the Bronx, with an emphasis on 1-4 unit buildings and small businesses. The GJ/GNY-Bronx staff team will conduct presentations to community organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders to provide information on the incentives available through NYSERDA for energy saving measures and describe the process for securing an energy audit.
The staff team will follow-up with interested home and building owners, assisting with paperwork, setting up audit appointments, and securing financing for energy retrofits based upon the audits.
There is no obligation on the part of the home/building owners to implement a retrofit after receiving an audit.
For further information, contact the Green Jobs/Green New York-Bronx Project Manager, Kate Shackford, at (718) 590-3498 or kshackford@boedc.org.