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Working to make a greener community
Wayne County is home to groups dedicated to developing a sustainable future through renewable energy and investments in the local community.
The Transition Honesdale organization — part of the global Transition Towns Initiative project — focuses on ways to make the community less dependent on outside sources of energy, goods and services, by promoting environmental sustainability and build self-sufficiency at the community level and among individuals.
Starting with Honesdale, the organization hopes to inspire people from all over Wayne County to build a local economy that could sustain the turbulence of the larger economic markets — in essence, to localize commerce and become less dependent on the ups and downs of the national and global economies.
The next big project for the organization is a Community Garden in that will provide 25 garden plots where Honesdale residents who have no backyards can grow their own food, said Barbara Lewis.
The organization will partner with the Ellen Memorial Health Care Center on Golf Hill Road. The garden will be located on the property of Robert Zabady, who is making a half-acre of his property available for the project.
Lewis says that while all residents are eligible to participate, low-income residents are especially welcome, and those participating in USDA’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) programs will be offered membership on a sliding scale. Some plots will be offered free-of-charge if ncessesary, she said.
SEEDS
The Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support of NEPA (SEEDS) is a group dedicated to developing a renewable energy infrastructure in the northeast Pennsylvania community and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
The group launched the 350 Project, which helped local families save roughly $15,000 on their electric bills. The goal of the project was to have 350 families save 350 kWhrs, for a total of 122,500 in a year. The project saved a total of 113,492 kWhrs for 36 families.
An off-shoot of the SEEDS organization is a group called Wayne Businesses Conserve, which highlights and promotes Wayne County businesses that make an effort to consume less energy using “green” initiatives.
According to the SEEDS website, eleven local businesses had volunteered to participate in last year’s program.
PASA
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), the largest statewide, member-based sustainable farming organization in the U.S., works to improve not only economic viability and environmental soundness of food and agricultural systems, but also the social responsibility of those systems throughout the state, including Wayne County.
Working to make a greener community
Wayne County is home to groups dedicated to developing a sustainable future through renewable energy and investments in the local community.
The Transition Honesdale organization — part of the global Transition Towns Initiative project — focuses on ways to make the community less dependent on outside sources of energy, goods and services, by promoting environmental sustainability and build self-sufficiency at the community level and among individuals.
Starting with Honesdale, the organization hopes to inspire people from all over Wayne County to build a local economy that could sustain the turbulence of the larger economic markets — in essence, to localize commerce and become less dependent on the ups and downs of the national and global economies.
The next big project for the organization is a Community Garden in that will provide 25 garden plots where Honesdale residents who have no backyards can grow their own food, said Barbara Lewis.
The organization will partner with the Ellen Memorial Health Care Center on Golf Hill Road. The garden will be located on the property of Robert Zabady, who is making a half-acre of his property available for the project.
Lewis says that while all residents are eligible to participate, low-income residents are especially welcome, and those participating in USDA’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) programs will be offered membership on a sliding scale. Some plots will be offered free-of-charge if ncessesary, she said.
SEEDS
The Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support of NEPA (SEEDS) is a group dedicated to developing a renewable energy infrastructure in the northeast Pennsylvania community and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
The group launched the 350 Project, which helped local families save roughly $15,000 on their electric bills. The goal of the project was to have 350 families save 350 kWhrs, for a total of 122,500 in a year. The project saved a total of 113,492 kWhrs for 36 families.
An off-shoot of the SEEDS organization is a group called Wayne Businesses Conserve, which highlights and promotes Wayne County businesses that make an effort to consume less energy using “green” initiatives.
According to the SEEDS website, eleven local businesses had volunteered to participate in last year’s program.
PASA
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), the largest statewide, member-based sustainable farming organization in the U.S., works to improve not only economic viability and environmental soundness of food and agricultural systems, but also the social responsibility of those systems throughout the state, including Wayne County.
All three of these organizations work toward the common goal of building sustainable local economies which, in turn, allows for the growth of a strong community.
Members from all three organizations will be hold an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 23 at the Fred Miller Pavilion on Main Street, Honesdale.
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Green is good for education budgets
The non-profit Earth Day Network says green schools not only reduce operational costs and environmental impacts, but they also increase the quality of the surrounding community.
With that in mind, things are looking good for the Western Wayne School District as it constructs “Evergreen Elementary” — what district officials say is the state’s first full-green elementary school.
The eco-friendly facility in Salem Township, which will combine Hamlin and Lake Elementary Schools, attained a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification and will utilize a geo-thermal heating and cooling system, solar and wind energy, a water conservation system and a rooftop garden.
The district was awarded $1 million in February 2010 from the Energy Harvest Grant to fund the geo-thermal, wind and solar power for the school. The grant is disbursed through the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The Earth Day Network (EDN) says green schools could combine traditional education with 21st century innovations in building science, renewable energy and green economy support.
EDN says multiple benefits accrue in economic, educational and environmental sectors to create a win-win situation for any green school project.
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AAA: ‘Greener’ driving saves money
Sorry Kermit, but it is easy being green.
At least that’s what the AAA motor club says about changing driving habits to save money and driver “greener.”
• Tip #1: Imagine eggs under the pedals.
Although it may be difficult for daily commuters to change their driving style, AAA says it can be the most effective way to drive “greener.”
AAA suggests that instead of making quick starts and sudden stops, go easy on the gas and brake pedals.
For example, if approaching a green lights, ease off the gas and coast to the up to it rather than waiting until the last second to brake. When the light turns green, gradually accelerate instead of a making a “jack rabbit” start.
Imagine there are eggs beneath your gas and brake pedals. You want to apply pressure gently to the pedals in order to avoid breaking the egg, AAA suggests.
• Tip #2: Just slow down
The fuel efficiency of most cars decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph, according to AAA.
The U.S. Department of Energy says each 5 mph over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas.
• Tip #3: Keep your car in shape
A car that’s not properly maintained can produce more exhaust emissions and consume more fuel than necessary.
AAA recommends having any vehicle problems, including illuminated warning lights, addressed by a qualified, trained technician. Minor adjustments and repairs can affect emissions and fuel economy by up to four percent, while more serious problems, such as faulty oxygen sensor, can reduce gas mileage as much as 40 percent.
• Tip #4: Choose a “greener” car
When shopping for a new car, AAA suggests considering the wide variety of “green” vehicle options now available from automakers.
• Tip #5: Think and plan ahead
Think ahead before heading out to the store or another errand. Determine all the places you need to go that day and try to combine multiple trips into one.
Several short trips starting with a cold engine each time could use twice as much gas as a single longer trip when the engine is warm, AAA says. Also, plan the route in advance to drive the fewest miles, eliminate backtracking and avoid heavy traffic times and areas.
