Bedford 2020 Coalition Announces, in Partnership with Solarize Westchester, Environmental Summit and Solar Action Day
Bedford, NY (PRWEB) January 18, 2015 -- To celebrate five years of community action and to launch a new effort to promote solar installations in Bedford and Mt. Kisco, Bedford 2020 is hosting an Environmental Summit and Solar Action Day on January 31, 2015 at Fox Lane High School.
The Summit will mark the official launch of SOLARIZE BEDFORD-MT. KISCO – a 19-week campaign to promote widespread adoption of solar in both the residential and business sectors.
Local residents, students and business will be provided with a wide array of actionable, real world, solutions to help make our community clean, healthy and sustainable.
The Summit will be a full day (from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm) event including lectures and workshops led by national and local experts on the topics of energy, water, waste, food, and health. The event will also include an Environmental Expo of interactive demonstrations, green products and information from over 70 participating organizations and businesses.
“The world has changed dramatically in the past five years. The existence of climate change is no longer questioned. A revolution is underway. In Bedford and across the nation, the focus has shifted to innovative solutions that citizens and businesses can adopt to create jobs, strengthen the economy, address health issues and reduce pollution generated by fossil fuel use,” says Ellen Conrad, Co-President of Bedford 2020, “The 2015 Environmental Summit will provide members of our community an opportunity to be a part of this exciting revolution, right now.”
Bedford 2020 Co-President Mary Beth Kass added, “We are providing the solutions and tools for our residents to make a sustainable lifestyle second nature. We invite all community residents to join us and take action.”
The Summit will feature presentations by leading national environmental experts including Richard Kauffman, Governor Cuomo’s Energy “czar,” and Andy Revkin, author of the Dot Earth blog of The New York Times, who will provide the most current thinking on the environmental revolution.
Bedford 2020 believes that clean, renewable solar energy is a critical part of this revolution. Attendees at the January 31st Summit will have the opportunity to learn from experts about the latest developments in solar energy – its rapid evolution from exotic technology to mainstream energy source; the nuts and bolts of installing solar in the home or business; as well as the importance of NYS legislative action in support of community solar.
“Solar energy is homegrown, healthy and available in limitless amounts,” says Midge Iorio. Executive Director of Bedford 2020. “We look forward to starting now, in our own backyards, to showcase what many believe is the single most practical way to tackle climate change.”
To kick-start solar in our community, The Town of Bedford and the Village of Mt. Kisco are launching Solarize Bedford-Mt. Kisco, a 19-week campaign that begins at the Summit on January 31st and ends on June 15th. The goal of Solarize is to increase the number of solar installations for residents and businesses by simplifying the process of going solar and dramatically reducing solar pricing. The program features the selection of Ross Solar Group for residential installations. In addition, both Bedford and Mt. Kisco have changed their permitting laws to reduce the time and money spent on solar permits. Residents and businesses who sign up for solar installations by May 15th will be offered group rates significantly below market prices. The more people who sign up, the lower the price will be for everyone, even the first to enroll.
The Town of Bedford and the Village of Mount Kisco were selected by Solarize Westchester to participate in the Solarize campaign. Solarize Westchester is partnering with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's NY-Sun initiative, which is a $1 billion investment in solar power through 2023 to significantly expand solar installations across the State and to ultimately transform New York’s solar industry so it becomes self-sustaining.
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Bedford 2020 is a non-profit organization leading a grass roots effort in the town of Bedford, NY whose mission is to lead, organize and promote a community wide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and to create a sustainable community that conserves its natural resources. We are reducing emissions and making a difference through community programs that span five action areas, including: Energy, Food & Agriculture, Transportation, Waste & Recycling, and Water & Land Use. Bedford 2020 programs are led by the work of nine Task Forces staffed with over 90 community volunteers. More information is available at http://www.Bedford2020.org.
About Ross Solar Group: Family owned and operated, the Ross Solar Group provides custom designed turn key solar solutions to both commercial and residential customers throughout the Northeast. Founded by Jason and Joshua Ross in 2007, Ross Solar received the prestigious SunPower Intelegant Award in 2012 for their contribution to a 345-kilowatt installation at North Shore Community College in Danvers, Mass., and was also named SunPower National Top Producer in 2013, and Regional Commercial Dealer of the Year in 2011. Since their inception, Ross Solar has installed over 15,000,000 watts of solar in the Northeast, including installations for Walmart, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Jetro Restaurant Depot, and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit http://www.rosssolargroup.com.
Joshua Ross, Ross Solar Group, http://www.RossSolarGroup.com, +1 (203) 512-4500, [email protected]
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