KINGSTON, N.
Y., Aug. 2 -- Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.
Y. (22nd CD), issued the following news release:
Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced the completion of several solar technology and energy efficiency projects at the Kingston, Benedictine and Margaretville campuses of the Health Alliance Hospital. The projects were funded through a $428,000 federal grant Hinchey secured on behalf of The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC), which administered the energy conserving and carbon emission reducing projects in partnership with engineering students at SUNY New Paltz and area businesses.
'As the result of the fact that I secured $428,000 in federal funding for solar technology and energy efficiency projects at the Kingston, Benedictine and Margaretville campuses of the Health Care Alliance, I'm happy to announce that The Solar Energy Consortium has successfully worked with the State University of New York at New Paltz and area businesses to complete these important projects. Not only have we helped the Health Alliance reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions, but we have also helped local businesses create more green jobs right here in the Hudson Valley. Additionally, the solar and renewable energy initiatives being undertaken at these hospital campuses will serve as a green model for other hospitals and various other facilities throughout the Hudson Valley which can also improve their energy efficiency through the use of local partners.'
The projects include a solar thermal system for generating hot water at the Benedictine Campus, a hybrid multi-passenger vehicle to transport employees between the Kingston and Benedictine campuses, a hybrid SUV to travel between Kingston and the more remote Margaretville Hospital and solar-power lighting systems for exterior signs at the Kingston and Benedictine hospitals. An additional project that would install new high efficiency and low maintenance LED lighting for parking lots and outside areas at all three hospital locations will be completed in the coming months.
'From the outset, the Health Alliance expressed a strong interest in using as many local products as possible,' said Vinnie Cozzolino. 'With that guiding concept, we partnered with a local university, and several TSEC partners to administer the projects.'
The solar-powered signs were made by Kingston-based companies, Timely Signs and PVI Solar, a TSEC partner. The solar hot water system at the Benedictine campus was designed and installed by Hudson Valley-based EarthKind Solar. The hybrid SUV was purchased from Kingston-based Johnson Ford and the yet to be installed outdoor lighting systems are a product of Green Lights Initiatives, a New York City based LED lighting company.
'The solar energy industry that is continuing to grow at a steady rate in the Hudson Valley has benefited substantially from TSEC's efforts,' said Hinchey. 'We've already created 400 jobs, and by the end of next year we expect that number to be up near 1,000. I worked to help establish TSEC in 2007 because of the great potential for economic development and new jobs, and I'm working to build on the success we've seen, because I know we can do so much more.'
Hinchey recently visited Tech City in Ulster, NY where Solartech Renewables is producing the first high-volume, commercial solar panels made by a U.
S.-owned company in the eastern United States. In March, Solartech Renewables announced its move to Tech City as a result of incentives provided by The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) with Hinchey's support.
Over the past three years, Hinchey has secured more than $31 million for TSEC and its partners. In April, Hinchey announced the single largest jobs expansion in the history of TSEC, detailing Precision Flow Technologies' plan to create 190 new jobs at Tech City. Hinchey secured $8.4 million in federal funding for Precision Flow and its customer C9 Corporation, which allowed the company to grow its operations in Saugerties, NY and now expand at Tech City.
In 2007, Hinchey worked to establish TSEC, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, to drive the creation of a solar energy cluster in New York by connecting local universities and companies to help overcome technological, strategic and economic challenges. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
