Get Involved!
We meet the 3rd Monday of every month from 7pm to 9pm at the Town Hall at 2670 Slaterville Rd in Caroline.
Join our Discussion List
Energy Independent Caroline Discussion email list
Our Mission
Energy Independent Caroline is a collaborative effort among residents, town government, youth groups, and other interested people. We are exploring ways to use our natural resources to achieve energy independence from fossil fuels on a municipal and residential level.
Our goal is to produce sustainable and reliable power for electricity, heat, and transportation from renewable resources.
We are initiating clean energy projects and sharing information with Caroline residents so that we may all comfortably reduce our energy needs.
Resident Profiles
Featured in the Old Mill, profiles of Caroline residents reducing energy costs.
So far…
Energy Independent Caroline began Meeting in December of 2005. Since then, we have met with representatives from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and other organizations working on renewable energy. A number of them gave presentations at our meetings about a wide range of energy related topics, providing us with important facts. We are doing our homework so that we have information on not only the initial costs, but also long term maintenance costs.
Besides wind power, we are
investigating micro-hydro and solar
power which can readily be used in a
residential setting.
In addition to looking at renewable
energy production for the long run, we
are promoting ways to save energy and
money by using efficient light bulbs,
stopping air leaks, and other things
that can help people now.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Heating Solutions Survey Results, November, 2006
Do you want to volunteer for Energy Independent Caroline?Ways to Get Involved
Benefits of Wind Power
Healthy Environment
The only fuel used to create wind-generated electricity is the wind! It requires no fuel
and creates no emissions from burning fuels. Conventional electricity generation
produces more pollution than any single industry which leads to acid rain, smog, and
climate change. 1 MW of wind generation capacity is the equivalent of 1 square mile of
new forest, in terms of offsetting or displacing carbon dioxide from conventional
generating sources. In one year a 1 MW turbine displaces: 2,734,872 pounds of CO2,
9,918 pounds of SO2, and 3,679 pounds of NOx.
Local Economy
Dollar for dollar or watt for watt, wind power creates more jobs than any other energy technology. The New York State Energy Office found that wind power creates 66 percent more total jobs than natural gas and 27 percent more total jobs than coal. Community owned wind projects generate resources for the community.
Saves Land
Wind turbines occupy only about 5% of the site, and since the turbines are high in the air, the land is still available for agriculture, grazing, or other uses.
Energy Independence
No need for dependence on foreign oil, it is a home-grown, fuel-free source of electricity generation. A community owned wind project would keep our money here instead of sending it to multinational oil companies and foreign governments. It is one important way that we as a community can contribute to homeland security.
Past Initiatives
In 2004 the Town of Caroline became the 8th municipality in New York to purchase wind power to provide part of the municipal electrical needs. In 2005 Caroline became the 2nd municipality to purchase wind power for 100% of its electricity use. The Governor recognized this achievement by presenting the town a plaque which hangs in the Town Hall.
Energy Independent Caroline on WSKG
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has elevated the national discussion about the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. While many decisions must be made on a large scale in order to reduce our dependence on oil, our individual choices also will help determine our energy future.
Guests for this program include: Dominic Frongillo, Deputy Town Supervisor for the Town of Caroline; Katie Quinn-Jacobs, founder of IthaCan and PreparedTompkins; and Chris Burger, Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition.
Link to Podcast, July 27, 2010
EIC Wind Project Final Report
EIC Analysis for Private Investor