Green Energy

County Legislator Tom Buckel wants Onondaga County to be a state leader in energy efficiency. David Ashley is a senior partner at an environmentally conscience architect firm, Ashley McGraw. An expert in green energy use, Ashley says that Buckel’s idea for the county is too general and lacks a plan of action.

“We need a government authority to start organizing all of the renewable energy use,” Ashley says. For example, there is an authority for services like water and garbage. Just as these materials are stored and transported, the same could happen with renewable materials like compost, yard debris and other recyclables. This way, there would be a resource for renewable energy that people could have access to when they needed.

Ashley also emphasizes that preserving historic buildings is another way the city can be more energy efficient. Tearing down and rebuilding a structure takes more resources from the environment, than making changes to an existing structure.

Greening USA gives ideas on how communities can be more energy efficient and environmentally aware. http://www.greeningusa.org/