TOWN OF CAROLINE, NY
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Energy Independent Caroline

Purpose: Energy Independent Caroline is a volunteer advisory board to the Caroline Town Council on policies and initiatives to address climate change by promoting energy conservation and renewable energy use.

​
Contact: Don Barber (sunnybrk@gmail.com)

Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7 pm at the Town Hall.  

Committee Members
  • Don Barber
  • Jonathan Comstock
  • Julie Hansen
  • Mary Alyce Kobler
  • Steve Nicholson (Chair)
  • John Reed
  • Dave Ritchie
  • Mark Witmer, Town Board Liaison

Request to Join Email Listserv: Energy Independent Caroline

HISTORY
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.

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.

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.

Meeting Minutes
8-27-18
12-19-18
4-18-19
6-19-19

GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY

CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITIES HIGH-IMPACT ACTION ITEMS
ENERGY BENCHMARKING
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016

​
Unified Solar Permit

Energy Code Training

Solarize Community Program

Electric Vehicle Charging Station
​2018


Key Documents
Climate Change Resolution
​
Climate Smart Communities Res

​Wind Power Feasibility Study

Resources

  • Caroline's Solar Array output
  • ​Solar Tompkins
  • Heat Smart Tompkins
  • Get Your Green Back Tompkins
  • Tompkins County Energy Planning
  • Micro-Hydro Power for Caroline, NY
OFFICE HOURS

Contact US

Town Board Meetings are the first Wednesday and third Wednesday  of each month at 7:00pm at the Caroline Town Hall, 2670 Slaterville Springs Rd.  The public is encouraged to attend.
Copyright © 2016
  • Home
    • About
    • History
  • Offices
    • Town Supervisor: Mark Witmer
    • Town Council >
      • Clm. Murray
      • Clm. Kelley-Mackenzie
      • Clm. Snow
      • Clm. Goldberg
    • Committees >
      • Planning Board
      • Zoning Commission
      • Review Board
      • Watershed Committee
      • Energy Independent Caroline
      • Building and Grounds
      • Broadband Committee
      • Emergency Services Planning
      • Agriculture Committee
      • Land Use & Economic Development Task Force
      • Youth Programs and Recreation >
        • JYC Committee Report
      • Volunteer Application Form
    • Town Court
    • Town Clerk >
      • Pay Tax Bills Online
      • Applications and Forms
    • Code Enforcement
    • Highway Department
    • Library
  • Notices
    • Calendar
    • COVID-19
  • Documents
    • Meeting Minutes >
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 2005
    • Budgets & AUDs
    • Town Accounting Reports
    • Resolutions
    • Local Laws
    • Town Newsletter
    • Town Planning Docs
    • Town Policies
    • Personnel Policies
    • Volunteer Application Form
  • CURRENT PROJECTS
    • Zoning Commission
    • Highway Facilities Project
    • Marijuana Reg & Taxation Act
    • Caroline Clean Heating & Cooling Campaign
    • Building Energy Benchmarking
    • LED Streetlights
    • Trail
    • Emergency Medical Services
  • RESOURCES
    • Wetland, Flood Plain, Natural Resource Maps
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Directory
    • Webmaster