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November 20, 2009

Rouses Point pushes IEEP program

'It's a jewel waiting to be polished'

By MICHELLE BESAW

ROUSES POINT — The Elementary School here reaped benefits recently from the village's energy-efficiency program.

A check for $82,000 was presented to Northeastern Clinton Central School District Superintendent Peter Turner as a rebate for energy-efficient renovations, such as new windows, lighting and heating.

The money comes from the Independent Energy Efficiency Program, which Rouses Point joined in 2001.

"To me, this is one of the greatest programs," said Rouses Point Mayor George Rivers.

In 2001, all members of New York state municipal electric and gas utilities were given the option to join the program, which was mandatory to maintain hydroelectric power, which is "very cheap," Rivers said. "We don't want to lose hydro."

Rivers added that in 25 years he has not known of a single power-rate increase in the village.

That helps him encourage business and industry to move into the area.

"It's a jewel waiting to be polished."

The mayor said that, while the village has been involved with the program since Gov. George Pataki started it in 2001, they've been especially pushing it since 2005.

Residents have been able to take advantage of rebates and giveaways, such as when the village distributed energy-saving light bulbs.

"If your house needs insulation, we'll put it in for you," Rivers said, citing program rebates for energy-efficient renovations.

Some rebates the program offers for Energy Star appliance purchases are:

•  Central Air: $50/ton.

•  Window air conditioner: $50.

•  Ceiling fan: $25.

•  Clothes washer: $100.

•  Dehumidifier: $30.

•  Dishwasher: $50.

•  Electric water heater: $75-$100.

•  Programmable thermostat: $10.

•  Windows: $25.

•  Refrigerator: $75.

Even the village itself is leaning that way.

"Every bit of our Christmas lights are LED," Rivers said.

LED lights are light-emitting diodes, which last longer and generate fewer pounds of electricity than normal bulbs.

The village also purchased a hybrid Ford Escape and received $6,000 toward that purchase.

Much of the downtown-revitalization efforts, such as new windows and lighting, have benefitted from the program rebates as well, Rivers said.

"There's oodles of things we keep doing with (the funds)."

At the D&H; Railroad station, the village will use Independent Energy Efficiency Program funds to install the windows, doors, insulation and probably lighting, Rivers said.

More than 25 New York municipalities are involved in the program, including Plattsburgh, Lake Placid and Tupper Lake.

From 2001 to 2008, Rouses Point spent more than $500,000 on energy-efficiency rebates.

E-mail Michelle Besaw at: mbesaw@pressrepublican.com

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