Energy...

The town of Caroline, NY has 1,400 households, a population of about 2,910 and no cell phone service.  But, they are leading New York in sustainable initiatives. Myself and nearby students from Ithaca College and Cornell are branching off from Energy Independent Caroline to head up a project to hand out CFL’s to each home in Caroline. On April 19, 2008 the bulbs will be distributed in canvass bags with information and hopefully coupons to buy more. Imagine doing this in one day with no cell phones and getting around on mostly bikes.

In 2005, Caroline became the second municipality in New York to purchase 100% of their electricity from wind power. Because of these initial and proactive steps, Energy Independent Caroline received a $5,000 grant to continue the sustainability movement in Caroline and these funds are going towards the students' project to hand out the CFL's. The Resource and Environmental Management Program (REMP) on Ithaca College's campus went to every dorm and asked to switch their  incandescent with one of REMP's CFL's. It happens all over the place like Waterville, NY, and Kenyon College. Most of these are light bulb exchange programs, but in our case, we are giving away the light bulbs.

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. They obviously improved this in 2005 and the governor of New York recognized these efforts and presented them with a plaque in their Town Hall. Then Energy Independent Caroline was founded and they began meeting in December 2005. Aside from wind power, they are investigating micro-hydro and solar power and that can be used in a residential setting like Caroline.  They are promoting ways to save energy and money by using efficient light bulbs, stopping air leaks, and other things that can help people now. This effort will be encouraged with the April 19, 2008 distribution of CFL light bulbs and hopefully it is well received. If you're in the Ithaca area, you should help out! We can use all the help we can get handing out these bulbs and promoting the event. Let me know. Or, you can start your own light bulb exchange in your campus or community. I'll help you out.