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What's new in the Upper Delaware region April 28 to May 4

Posted 4/26/22

What's new in the Upper Delaware region April 28 to May 4

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Clean, green schools and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region April 28 to May 4

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HEAP cooling season is almost here

LIBERTY, NY — Effective May 2 through August 31 (as funds allow), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Component can provide for the purchase and installation of air conditioners or fans. Though certain eligibility requirements still apply, having a certified medical condition is no longer a requirement.

The program will pay up to $800 for the installation of a cooling mechanism in your home, but will not provide any benefit to offset increased utility bills as a result. If you have any questions, call a HEAP staff member at 845/807-0142, prompt 2. Any requested documents can be faxed to 845/292-4651 or emailed to HEAP@sullivanny.us.

Don’t say ‘Yes’ to scammers

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County Sheriff Chris Rosler shared an alert from the York County Area Agency on Aging about a new phone scam targeting people to obtain information to make fraudulent purchases.

A person receives a call from a blocked number or a number that is unfamiliar. When the person answers the phone, a voice says, “Can you hear me now?” There might be some talking before the question, the agency said.

The scammer is trying to get the person who answered the phone to respond “Yes,” so their voice can be recorded and used to make purchases, according to the agency. Anyone who receives a call like that should not answer the question and should hang up, the agency advised.

Enviro coalition challenges DRBC oxygen findings

WEST TRENTON, NJ — A coalition of environmental organizations is challenging a new Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) draft technical report from March, downplaying the need for higher-level oxygen standards to protect Delaware River fish populations, including the genetically unique population of Atlantic sturgeon that are on the brink of extinction. According to a letter sent by the coalition, rather than “relying upon the most recent scientific assessments regarding aquatic life uses and oxygen needs,” the DRBC draft technical report “relies on significantly outdated information.”

Reducing emissions in PA

HARRISBURG, PA — The Wolf Administration has finalized the regulation to combat climate change and allow Pennsylvania to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), fulfilling a promise made in a 2019 executive order to take part in the market-based program. DEP’s CO2 Budget Trading Program regulation, which will enter Pennsylvania into RGGI, was published in the April 23 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

RGGI is an initiative of 11 New England and mid-Atlantic states. It began to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector in 2009, while generating economic growth, a news release said. This was achieved by setting a regional cap or limit on CO2 emissions from electric power plants in the participating states. That cap decreases year over year to reduce overall carbon emissions. Pennsylvania’s participation will increase the size of the program approximately 40 percent.

Qualifying power plants must acquire CO2 allowances equal to the amount of CO2 they emit. And while each state has its own allowance budget, the only firm cap is the regional one. Companies in each of the qualifying states can purchase and trade allowances, which, it is argued,  allows for the most efficient and cost-effective emissions reductions.

Phil Vallone now on IDA board

MONTICELLO, NY — On April 21, the Sullivan County Legislature passed a resolution appointing Phil Vallone to fill a vacancy on the board of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Vallone serves as the president of Rolling V Bus Corporation and founded the Roscoe Beer Company.

In a copy of the resolution published on the county's website, the legislature stated that “The Sullivan County Legislature seeks to appoint community members who have a demonstrated committed to their community as well as a record of successfully developing and maintaining businesses in Sullivan County.”

New commercial development comes to Monticello

MONTICELLO, NY — Squarefeet.com, a real estate developer from Brooklyn, purchased the Gulfway Raceway building, located  at 79 Rte. 17B in the Village of Monticello and the adjacent land, in two transactions over the past year. The old Gulfway is currently under renovation.

Squarefeet.com is upgrading the existing 2,700 square-foot building for use as retail, office or medical  space with parking for more than 20 cars. The developer has received inquiries from medical centers, banks and food retailers but is currently completing its master plans to utilize the adjacent two-acre parcel, which it acquired in the first quarter of 2022. Squarefeet.com is seeking to identify a medical system to  occupy a new one-story 12,000-square-foot building with parking.

Clean, green schools

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on April 22 that $59 million in funding is now available for the Clean Green Schools initiative.

The program will advance clean energy and energy-efficient solutions to improve indoor air quality and reduce emissions for more than 600 underresourced public schools, pre-K through 12th grade, across the state. All public school buildings across New York State designated as high-need by the New York State Education Department, or that are located in a disadvantaged community, will be eligible to participate in the program.

This initiative advances climate justice, a news release maintained, by providing technical, financial and human resource support to help underresourced public schools develop energy-efficient heating and cooling projects. This, it said, would benefit the most vulnerable New Yorkers. All HVAC projects funded under this initiative will address indoor air quality.

Home Energy Assistance Program, Cooling Assistance Component, phone scam, Delaware River Basin Commission, fish populations, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Phil Vallone, Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, Squarefeet.com, real estate, Gulfway Raceway, Clean Green Schools, sustainability

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