T OMPKINS C OUNTY E NERGY
AND E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT
T ASK F ORCE DraftFinalReport,May4,2016
PreparedbytheTaskForce,withsupportfromTompkinsCounty
AreaDevelopmentandPlanningDepartmentstaff
i
EnergyandEconomicDevelopmentTaskForce
Latein2014,CountyPlanningCommissionerEdMarxandTompkinsCountyAreaDevelopment
DirectorMichaelStammformallycommittedtheirorganizationstocollaborateonaddressinglong‐
termandimmediateenergyneedsandemissionsinwaysthatcontributetoavitallocaleconomy.
Inaco‐authoreddocument,apledgewasmadetobring“abroadvarietyofvoicestothediscussionof
communitygoalsandstrategies,aswellastangiblestepstomeetbothenergyandeconomic
developmentgoals.”Itwasalsoagreedthat“discourseinthecommunityaroundthetopicsof
economicdevelopment,energy,andgreenhousegasemissionsmustbebasedonclearandaccurate
informationandoccurinacivilandrespectfulmanner.”
Recognizingtheclearneedforsuchinformeddiscourse,andthedesirabilityofanactiveengagement
withmembersofthelocalbusinesscommunity,LegislatureChairMikeLaneaskedMichaelStammto
considercreatingaTCADworkgroupbasedontheseprinciplesandtoworkwithCountystaffto
definehowsuchagroupwouldbeorganizedandwhereitsfocuswouldbemosteffectivelydirected.
Overthepastyear,this19‐persontaskforce,chairedbySciencenterExecutiveDirectorCharlie
Trautmann,andmadeupofabalancedmixofindividualswithexpertiseinrenewableandtraditional
energyresources,businessoperation,realestatedevelopmentandotheraspectsofthecommunityhas
beenmeetingtodevelopthisreportandrecommendations.
TaskForceMemberswere:

PeterBardaglio,President,BlackOakWindFarm&Coordinator,TCClimateProtectionInitiative

RobertBland,AssociateVicePresidentofEnergyandSustainability,CornellUniversity

MikeCannon,VicePresidentCommercialBanking,TompkinsTrustCompany

GrahamGillespie,President,HOLTArchitects

JerryGoodenough,ChiefOperatingOfficer,UpstateNewYorkPowerProducers

MelissaKemp,DirectorofCommercialandUtilityDevelopment,RenovusSolar

MichaelLane,Chair,TompkinsCountyLegislature

GlennMorey,Legislator,TompkinsCountyLegislature

MarthaRobertson,TompkinsCountyLegislature

KenSchlather,ExecutiveDirector,CornellCooperativeExtensionofTompkinsCounty

HermanSieverding,VicePresidentofIntegratedAcquisitionsandDevelopmentCorporation

JenniferTavares,President,TompkinsCountyChamberofCommerce

MikeThorne,SuperintendentofPublicWorks,CityofIthaca

CharlieTrautmann,ExecutiveDirector,Sciencenter

IreneWeiser,Councilwoman,TownofCaroline

SteveWelliver,ExecutiveVicePresident,WelliverMcGuireInc.

JoeMareane,CountyAdministrator,TompkinsCounty(non‐votingmember)

EdMarx,Commissioner,TompkinsCountyPlanningDepartment(non‐votingmember)

MichaelStamm,President,TompkinsCountyAreaDevelopment(non‐votingmember)
TheSupportTeam

MarthaArmstrong,VP&DirectorofEconomicDevelopmentPlanning,TCAreaDevelopment

KatherineBorgella,DeputyCommissioner,TCPlanningDepartment

JudyRowe,J.A.RoweConsulting
ii
TABLEOFCONTENTS
EXECUTIVESUMMARY...........................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................1
OVERVIEW..................................................................................................................................2
KEYISSUES:ENERGY,GHGEMISSIONSANDECONOMICDEVELOPMENT...........5
WHATWELEARNED............................................................................................................10
RECOMMENDATIONSOFTHETASKFORCE.................................................................10
TASKFORCECONTRIBUTIONSTORECENTINITATIVES........................................14
SUMMARY................................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................15
APPENDICES(seeseparatedocument)
PublicOutreachandComments.................................................................A
MeetingScheduleandTopicsCovered.....................................................B
GlossaryofEnergy‐relatedActivitiesinTompkinsCounty..............C
FieldVisitsbyTaskForceMembers..........................................................D
StatementtothePSConBehalfoftheTaskForce................................E
ListofAdditionalRecommendationsforFutureConsideration.....F
EnergyandEconomicDevelopmentTaskForceCharge...................G
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ExecutiveSummary
Draft:May4,2016
(Tobewrittenoncereporthasbeenreviewed)
INTRODUCTION
In2014,aproposedgasdistributionpipelinealongWestDrydenRoadsparkedconsiderable
communitydebateovertheapparentconflictbetweeneconomicdevelopmentandtheTompkins
CountyLegislature’s(TCL)statedgoalofreducinggreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsatleast80%,
comparedto2008levels,by2050.Asaresultofthisdebate,theTCLandthecommunity’seconomic
developmentagency,TompkinsCountyAreaDevelopment(TCAD),recognizedtheneedtocreate
anenvironmentwhereaproductivediscoursecouldtakeplaceandpracticalsolutionstomeetboth
goalscouldbedeveloped.
TCLaskedTCADtoconvenetheTompkinsCountyEnergyandEconomicDevelopmentTaskForce
(EEDTF)toaddresstheissueduring2015and2016.Thegroup,listedontheinsidecover,was
diverseandbroad‐based.Itincluded16votingmembersrepresentingtheTompkinsCounty
Legislature,climateadvocacy,housingandindustrialdevelopment,CornellUniversity,
construction,renewableenergy,theCityofIthaca,andvariousotherconstituencies.Thegroup
includedthreenon‐votingmembers,thePresidentofTCAD,theTCCommissionerofPlanning,and
theTompkinsCountyAdministrator,plussupportfromTCADandTompkinsCountyPlanning
Department(TCPD)staffandaconsultantwhospecializedincoachinghigh‐performanceteams.
ThegroupwaschairedbyCharlieTrautmann,executivedirectoroftheSciencenterandadjunct
associateprofessoratCornell’sSchoolofCivil&EnvironmentalEngineering.
Chargeandscope.TheEEDTFcharge,includedasAppendixG,wastorecommendshort‐term
actionsthatcouldbeinitiatedunderlocalcontrolwithin3‐5yearsthatwould,inturn,advancethe
TCL’sGHGemissionsgoalswhile,atthesametime,alsoadvancingeconomicdevelopmentin
TompkinsCounty.
TherecommendationsoftheTaskForceweretoconsiderthetriplebottomline(abalanceof
environmental,equity,economicfactors).TheTaskForcewasalsochargedwithcoordinatingits
effortswithotherongoingorplannedenergyprojects,suchastheTompkinsCountyEnergy
Roadmap(along‐termplanningeffortcompletedinearly2016)andanupdateoftheTompkins
CountyEnergyStrategy(tobegininmid‐2016).AppendixCcontainsaGlossaryofEnergy‐Related
Projects.
Tokeepitsworkfocused,therewereseveralexclusionsinthecharge.WhiletheEEDTFtookthese
exclusionaryissuesintoconsideration,itdidnottrytospecificallyresolvelongstandingissuesthat
couldnotberealisticallyaddressedinits12‐monthtimeframe,suchashousingsupply(specifically
forlow‐moderateincomeresidents),transportationasrelatedtoruraldevelopment,andthere‐
poweringtheAESCayugapowerstationinLansingwithnaturalgas.
ProcessusedbytheTaskForce.TheEEDTFheldaseriesof18meetingsfromJune2015through
May2016.TheinitialmeetingsfocusedonTaskForcememberslearningaboutvariousaspectsof
energyandeconomicdevelopment,takingadvantageofitsownmemberexpertisealongwiththat
1 ofoutsideexperts.Manymemberscontributedtheirexpertise,experience,andresearch.Thegroup
heldapublicinputsessiononOctober27,2015,whichwasattendedby50individuals.Subsetsof
thegroupstudiedspecifictopics,tookfieldtripstoenergyinstallations,suchasCornell’sCombined
HeatandPowersystem,theFranziskaRackerCentersheatpumpsystem,andtheNYIndependent
SystemOperatorinAlbany.Variousmembersofthegroupalsointerviewedexperts.
Acknowledgments.TheEEDTFgratefullyacknowledgestheeffortsandsupportofmany
individualsandgroupswithoutwhosesupportitsworkwouldnothavebeenpossible.TCL
convenedthegroup,hadthreemembersparticipateandprovidedadministrativesupport.TCPD
andTCADparticipatedfullyinthemeetingsandprovidedbothfundingandadministrativesupport.
JudyRoweofJudyRoweConsultinghelpedthegroupfindearlycommongroundandhelped
developproductiveworkingrelationships.TheSciencenterandTompkinsCountyChamberof
Commercecontributedtheirfacilitiesformeetings.Anumberofoutsideexpertsgavefreelyoftheir
timeineducatingthegroup,includingFernandodeAragon,ScottBochenek,GordonBoyd,Brian
Conroy,MichaelEastman,IanShapiro,andBriceSmith.
TheEEDTFthanksitsexofficiomembersfortheirtimeandexpertise:EdMarx,MichaelStamm,and
JoeMareane.TheTaskForceisparticularlyindebtedtoMarthaArmstrong(TCAD)andKatie
Borgella(TCPD)fortheirdedication,longhours,andorganizationalexpertise.Additionally,the
TaskForcewouldliketoacknowledgethetime,care,andexpertisethatCharlieTrautmann,chairof
thegroup,broughttothediscussions.Hisabilitytohomeinonkeypointsandlistentoconcerns
expressedbythememberswasmuchappreciatedandcriticaltotheworkoftheTaskForce.
Finally,wewouldliketoacknowledgeallmembersoftheTaskForcefortheireffortsonbehalfof
theresidents,businesses,andvisitorsofTompkinsCounty.Whileindividualmembershavedeeply
heldpersonalviewsonmanyaspectsofclimatechangeandeconomicdevelopment,theyeach
strovetobringtheirbestcreativethinkingtotheTaskForceandworkedtoachieveaconsensus
documentwithrecommendationstomakethecommunitystrongerasweembracethistransitionto
anewgreenenergyeconomy.
OVERVIEW
ThetotalgrossproductofTompkinsCountyisabout$7billion,with48%associatedwithlocal
goodsandservicesand52%associatedwithTradedSectors,orbusinessesprovidingproductsto
besoldoutsidethecounty.Education(27%)andManufacturing&Hi‐Tech(18%)areTraded
Sectorsandtogetherrepresent45%,ornearlyone‐halfoftheentiregrossproductoftheCounty
(TCAD,2015‐2020EconomicDevelopmentStrategy)
Withrespecttoenergysupply,TompkinsCountyisinastateoftransition.Naturalgaspricesare
currentlyextremelylowbecausefrackinghasincreasedthesupplyofinexpensivenaturalgasfrom
theMarcellusshaleandotherU.S.geologicformations.Coalisrapidlydecliningasafuelforpower
plantsbecauseofitscostandenvironmentalimpacts.
HalfofthepowerusedbyNewYorkStateisgeneratedbygas‐firedpowerplants.Gasiscurrently
theprimarysourceoffuelforheatinghomesandbusinessesintheCounty,withpropaneusedin
manyruralhomes.
Gasolineanddiesel(bothfossilfuels)powerthevastmajorityofvehiclesonTompkinsCounty
roads.Theseliquidfuelpricesareapproximatelyone‐halfofwhattheywereonlyafewyearsago.
Heatpumptechnologyhasprogressedandtheinstalledbaseisincreasingbecauseofincentivesand
2
localexpertiseindesign&installation,alongwithagrowingawarenessoftheneedtoreducefossil
fueluseglobally.
Thecostofwindandsolarpowerhasdecreaseddramatically,andtheinstalledbaseisincreasing
rapidly.AccordingtoNYSERDA’sPowerClerkwebsite,TompkinsCountyisaleaderinNewYorkin
termsofsolarpowerwith1,040PVsystemsinstalledatresidencesandsmallcommercial
propertiesandover13MWofsolarpowergenerationcapacityincludingthegrowingnumberof
commercialandindustrialprojects.Solarisseeingstronggrowthinallsectorsatthistimeandthe
expectationisthatitwillcontinuerobustgrowthintothefuture.
Meanwhile,therearelong‐standingconcernsaboutfossilfuelusebecauseofitseffectonclimate.
TheTompkinsCountyLegislaturehaspassedaplancallingforatleastan80%reductionfrom2008
levelsofGHGemissionsby2050,aswellasamoreimmediategoalofatleasta20%reductionin
GHGemissionsby2020.NewevidenceoftheacceleratingeffectsofGHGemissionsonclimatehave
ledmanyscientiststomoveuptheproposedtimeframeforreductions.Cornell,forexample,has
moveditscarbon‐neutralgoalforwardto2035,andmanyinTompkinsCountyadvocatereachinga
100%reductioninemissionsbefore2050.
Total Energy Consumed (2008): 14,438,224 MMBtu
Transport 38.8%
Figure1impliesthattoachievean
80%reductionofGHGemissions:
Residential 23.5%
Industrial 6.9%
 Majorchangeswillbe
neededinthetransportation
sector(asectorcurrently
dominatedbyfossilfuels)
Commercial 30.8%
 Majorimprovementsin
buildingenergyefficiencywillbe
requiredinboththeresidential
andcommercialsectors,aswellas
deploymentofsignificantly
differentspaceheating
technology.
Total Emissions from Fossil Fuels (2008): 1,100,821 MTCO2e
Transportati
on 37.0%
Industrial 6.7%
Residential 21.2%
Commercial 35.0%
Figure1.2008CommunityEnergyUseandGHGEmissions
andEnergyUseinTompkinsCountybySector(Tompkins
CountyEnergyRoadmap,2015)
3
EnergyinTompkinsCounty.
Figure1summarizestherelative
GHGemissionsandenergyusedin
2008bysectorsinTompkins
County.
TompkinsCountyEnergy
Roadmap:EvaluatingOur
EnergyResources.TheTompkins
CountyEnergyRoadmap
evaluatedcommunityenergy
resourcesanddeveloped
scenariosthatmeetboth
projectedcommunityenergy
needsandthegreenhousegas
emissionreductiongoalofan80%
reductionfrom2008levelsby
2050.Theresultswereintended
toaccomplishtwoobjectives:1)toprovideconcreteevidencethatachievingemissionreductionsis
possibleandportrayanumberofwaysthatmightbeachieved;and2)providedirectionfornear
andlong‐termactionsthatcanbetakenlocallytomoveusforwardtowardourgoal.
Itisdirectionalinnatureandismeanttoidentifylocalopportunitiesforthecommunitytoachieve
itsgoals.Theintentisfortheanalysis,conclusionsandrecommendationsintheRoadmaptohelp
updateoftheCounty’sEnergyStrategyduring2016.Thegoalofthisupdateistoidentifyconcrete
actionstepsthatcanbetakentoreachthe2050goal.TheEnergyRoadmaplinksdirectlywiththe
EEDTFeffortbyprovidingdataandalong‐termoutlook,incomparisonwiththeshort‐term,3‐5
yearoutlookoftheEEDTF.
TheRoadmappresentsthreealternativeenergyscenariosthatutilizelocalpotentialstoreduce
greenhousegasemissionsby80%andmeettheCounty’sprojectedenergyneedsin2050.Thethree
scenariosrepresentawiderangeofconditionswhichreflectthedivergentwaysthatenergy
systemsmightevolveinthenext35yearsbutallrelyonhighlevelsofefficiencyimprovementsin
bothbuildingsandtransportation,deploymentoflargeamountsoflocalrenewableenergy,and
varyingdegreesofgrid‐suppliedelectricitygeneratedoutsideofTompkinsCounty,alongwith
markedlyreducedlevelsofthermalenergyfromnaturalgas.
TheEnergyRoadmapdoesnotproposea“preferredscenario,”butinsteadsetsoutalternative
routestoreachingthe80%GHGreductiongoal,includingusingnonaturalgas(the“AllElectric”
scenario)andmaintainingasignificantamountofnaturalgas(the“MaintainingHalf2008Levelsof
NaturalGas”scenario).Itthenassumesthatanyofanumberofpossiblescenariosinbetweenthose
two“bookends”couldallowthecountytoachieveitsenergygoals.Oneintermediatescenariowas
created,andidentifiedasthe“Mixed”scenario.
TheEnergyRoadmapisintentionallydesignedtobeinspirational,demonstratingthatitispossible
toachievetheGHGemissionsreductionsrequiredtoavoidthemostcatastrophiceffectsofclimate
change.Moreover,thereportdemonstratesthatitispossibletoachievethisresultinacommunity
havingrelativelymodestenergyresourcesofitsown.
TheEEDTFmadeuseoftheresearchdonebytheEnergyRoadmapprojectandappliedittothe
generationofnear‐termsolutionsthatcouldbeimplementedunderlocalcontrol.
EconomicDevelopmentinTompkinsCounty.Figures2and3showpopulationandemployment
inTompkinsCountyovertime.TompkinsCounty’svisionforthefuture,asstatedinthemostrecent
economicdevelopmentstrategycreatedbyTCAD,includes:

Adiverseandgrowingeconomythatoffersgoodpayingjobs,careerdevelopmentand
investmentopportunities.

Safe,healthycommunitieswithvibrantculturalresources.

Athrivingregionreflectingcommitmentstoinvestinglocallyandprotectingthenatural
environment.

Anoutstandinginternationalreputationasaplacewherepeoplewanttolive,work,play,
visit,andinvest.
4
Population of Tompkins County
110,000
105,000
100,000
95,000
90,000
1990
2000
2010
Figure2.PopulationofTompkinsCountyforthepast20years.
(Source:U.S.Census,includesstudents)
80
Total Non‐farm Employment
70
60
50
40
1990
1993
1996
1999
2002
2005
2008
2011
Figure3.EmploymentinTompkinsCounty,1990to2014
(Source:NYSLaborDepartment)
2014
TheCounty’sstrategyfor
promotingeconomic
development,as
implementedbyTCAD
anditspartners,consists
ofofferingbusiness
planning,financial,site
locationandworkforce
servicestobothexisting
businessesandnew
businessesstartedby
localentrepreneurs.The
focusisonmanufacturing
andhightechcompanies
thatcreatehigh‐quality
jobopportunities,higher
wages,betterbenefits,
andincreased
opportunityfor
advancement.
Insummarizingitsgoals
foreconomic
development,TCAD
envisionsrealeconomic
growth,aggregated
acrossallsectorsofthe
economy,ofabout1%
annually.
KEYISSUESRELATEDTOENERGY,GHGEMISSIONS,ANDECONOMICDEVELOPMENT
InsearchingforsolutionstomeetTompkinsCounty’sgoalofreducingGHGemissions80%by2050
whilesimultaneouslyadvancingeconomicdevelopmentintheCounty,theTaskForceinitially
heardfromavarietyofexpertswhobroughtthegrouptoacommonlevelofunderstandingaround
energysourcesandenduses.Thissectionsummarizesthekeyissuesinvolvingenergyandits
relationtoeconomicdevelopment.
NaturalGasinTompkinsCounty.TheTaskForcerecognizesthescientificevidencethatmethane
isasignificantgreenhousegaswhoseemissionsmustbeminimizedassoonaspossible.1
1CornellUniversityscientists,BobHowarthandTonyIngraffea,aretwointernationalleadersinthisareaofstudy.Ina
seriesofarticlesoverthepastfewyearstheyhavearguedthatwhenmethaneemissionsareincluded,thegreenhousegas
footprintofshalegasissignificantlylargerthanthatofconventionalnaturalgas,coal,andoil.Onerecentarticleisin
EnergyandEmissionControlTechnologies.2015.Volume2015:3,pages45‐54.
5
TheTaskForcealsorecognizesthatalackofeconomicallycompetitiveandreadilyavailable
alternativestonaturalgassupplyinTompkinsCounty,whetherrealorperceived,hasresultedin
thelossofhighqualityemploymentopportunitiesandsignificantprivatesectorinvestment.Ithas
alsoresultedintheuseofalternativesforheatingcommercialfacilities,includingpropane,
electricityandair‐sourcedheatpumps.
TheTompkinsCountyEnergyRoadmap,describedabove,concludesthat:Transitioningto
renewablesourcesofenergyiscriticaltoaddressGHGemissionsandachievingemissionsgoalswill
requiredevelopmentofrenewableenergysystemstosupplythemajorityofourenergyneeds.By
2050,weshould“Reducenaturalgasusebyatleast50%from2008levels,or21milliontherms,by
reducingdemandforthermalenergy,deployingsignificantnumbersofgroundandairsourceheat
pumps,andutilizingbiomassresources.”Further,theRoadmapcautionsthatwhileitmaybe
possibletomaintainupto50%of2008levelsofnaturalgasuseandstillachieveGHGemissions
goals,that“wouldrequireachievinglevelsofefficiencyanddeploymentoflocalrenewablesthat
wouldbeextremelychallenging.”
TheTompkinsCountyEnergyFocusAreasstudyiscurrentlybeingconductedbytheTompkins
CountyPlanningDepartmentandTompkinsCountyAreaDevelopment,withcooperationby
NYSEG.Theresultsofthisstudy(initialresultsdueinsecondquarterof2016)shouldprovide
additionaldataonenergysupplyanddemandinseveralgeographicareasthataredeemedcritical
totheeconomicdevelopmentoftheCountytoinformplanningforfutureenergyneedsand
infrastructure.Thisworkwillhaveparticularrelevancetonaturalgascapacityandplanningfor
futureenergysupply.
TheTaskForceadvocatesforimmediateactionstohelptheCountyachieveitsstatedgoalsof20%
GHGreductionby2020whilealsoaddressingeconomicdevelopmentneedswhilesteppingupthe
rateofconversiontorenewableenergysourcesasquicklyasfeasible.
WestDrydenRoadPipeline
Themosturgentcase‐in‐pointhighlightingthetensionbetweenshort‐andlong‐termGHG
emissionsandeconomicdevelopmentgoalsistheproposedLansing/FreevilleGas
ReinforcementProject,alsoknownastheWestDrydenRoadpipeline.InameetingwiththeTask
Force,MichaelEastman,VicePresidentforGasOperationswithNewYorkStateElectric&Gas
(NYSEG),describedgasinfrastructureinitsTompkinsCountyservicearea.Heexplainedthat
mostofthegasthatservicesTompkinsCountyfromtheDominionpipelinepassesthroughthe
SpencerStreetpointofdeliveryandtheEastIthacaFeederStationandisdistributedviaa
distributionpipelinesystemdesignedforastatic(noload)pressureof60psi.Engineering
guidelinescallforthegaspressuretodropnomorethan30%throughoutthedistribution
systemasaresultofdemand,dropsintemperature,andotherfactors.
ThegasinthedistributionsystemflowsgenerallynorthwardinTompkinsCounty.Thepressure
dropstothenorthasthegasistappedfromthedistributionsystemandusedbycustomers.In
Lansing,whichrepresentsthefarendofthesystem,thepressurecurrentlydropsbyasmuchas
50%oncolddays,whichiswellbelowthe30%maximumdropthatengineersdesignfor.
Eastmanfurtherexplainedthat,becauseofthephysicsofgasflow,thepressurevs.flow
relationshipisnon‐linear,andthatoncethepressurehasdropped50%ormoreinthesystem,a
relativelysmalladditionaldemandcanleadtoessentiallyzeropressure(andthereforesystem
failure)atthefarendofthesystem.Hestressedthatthispossiblelossingasserviceappliesto
customerswithintheLansingmoratoriumareaandtheCornellBusinessandTechnologyPark. 6
HesaidthattheWestDrydenPipelinewouldallowforsomegrowth,butthemainreasonforits
constructionistopreventsystemfailure.Therehasbeendiscussionoftheneedtopossibly
expandthecurrentmoratoriumonnaturalgashook‐upsfromtheLansingareatoinclude
downtownIthaca.
Heexplainedthatthisproblemhasbeenagrowingconcernfor20years,butthatitwasimproved
forawhileafterCornellbuiltitsowndedicatedpipelinefromtheDominionlineandtookits
demandoffoftheserviceareadistributionline.Hesaidthatreducingdemandintheareaserved
bytheEastIthacaFeederStationcouldimprovepressureconcerns,too,butthatitwouldtake
significantdemandreductionstobringthepipelineincompliancewithpressurerequirementsfor
safeandadequateserviceforitscustomersandtherearenotlargeenoughconsumersnow
servedbythepipelinetomakethathappenveryquickly.Hesaidthattherearetypically15‐40
peakgasdemanddaysperwinter,withdemandincreasingapproximately6timesabovenormal,
soitisverychallengingtotryandoffsetthatmuchdemand.
ItisunderstandingoftheTaskForcethatNYSEGiscommittedtoconstructingthepipeline.
NYSEGwillproceedwiththeeminent‐domainprocess,ifnecessary,andplanstohavethepipeline
inoperationbylate2017.
TheTaskForceunderstandsthatitsrecommendationsareunlikelytoaffectcurrentplanning
activitiesforthepipelineproject;however,theTaskForceiscommittedtoanenergyfuturethat
reducestheuseoffossilfuels,andeventuallymakesthemobsolete.Fromthisperspective,the
WestDrydenRoadprojectisseenbyanumberofitsmembersasastepinthewrongdirection.
Inviewofthisapparentconflict,theTaskForcehasdiscussedseekingawayforwardthatmeets
theCounty’snear‐termeconomicdevelopmentgoalswhilealsoputtingTompkinsCountyona
pathtowardasustainable,renewableenergyfuture.
Initsefforttosupportcurrenteconomicdevelopmentprojects,bothunder‐constructionand
planned,whilesimultaneouslystrivingforanenergyfuturebasedprimarilyonrenewable
sources,theTaskForce:
1. AcknowledgesthatNYSEGhastheresponsibilitytopreventdisruptionofserviceto
currentusersandbusinessesthathaveinvestedheavilyinhomes,facilities,andjobsin
TompkinsCountywiththeexpectationofadequateenergysupply.NYSEG,therefore,is
planningtoinvestinnewenergyinfrastructure.
2. Stronglyadvocatesaseriesofmeasuresthatwill‐assoonaspossible‐putTompkins
Countyonaclearpathtowarddramaticallyandsystemicallyreduceduseoffossilfuels,
startingnowandcontinuingduringthecomingdecades.Specificmeasuresareprovided
undertheRecommendationssectionofthisreport.
ThepushtowardsarenewableenergyfutureassumesthatTompkinsCountywillmakethe
transitionfromelectricitygeneratedbyfossilfuelstoelectricitygeneratedfromrenewable
sources.Thegridwillneednewrenewablegenerationcapacitytoreplace:a)existingdemandfor
electricitythatisgeneratedbyfossilfuels,b)theincreaseddemandneededtoreplacenaturalgas
usedforspaceheating,c)theelectricityneededtoreplacenaturalgasinsomeindustrial
processes,andd)theelectricityneededtopowerelectricvehicles.
TheTaskForcebelievesthatsustainedlocalefforts,asoutlinedinthisreport,coupledwithNew
YorkState’scommitmenttoconvertpowergenerationtorenewablesourcesovertime,can
proceedinparallelandinasimilartimeframetoyieldasignificantreductioninGHGemissions
withinthenext10‐20years,whilesimultaneouslysupportingeconomicdevelopmentin
TompkinsCounty.
7
EnergyUsebyBuildings.AsshowninFigure1,about50%oftheenergyconsumedinTompkins
Countyisusedinresidentialandcommercialbuildings.Whileitisnotsimpletosegmenttheenergy
usedforspaceheatingfromthatusedforwaterheating,cooking,clothesdrying,andotheruses,the
CountyEnergyRoadmapprojectestimatedthat71%ofbuildingenergyusewasthermaland29%
waselectrical.Muchofthisenergyissuppliedbynaturalgasinurbanandsuburbansettingsand
propaneinruralsettings.Biomass,geothermal,air‐sourceheatpumps,electricresistance,fueloil
andcoalarefairlyminorsystemsforthermalheatatthistime.
Twokeyvariablesinbuildingenergyusagepersquarefootinclude:

Efficiencyofthebuildingenvelope(primarilyinsulationandinfiltration)

Typeandefficiencyoftheheatingsystem
ItbecamecleartotheTaskForcethatbuildingsrepresentakeyareaforreducingGHGemissions.
Transportation.AsshowninFigure1,roughlyone‐thirdoftheenergyusedinTompkinsCountyis
consumedasvehiclefuel.Almostallofthisenergyis,atpresent,suppliedbyfossilfuels.Asnoted
intheEnergyRoadmap,awidespreadtransitiontoelectricvehicles(EVs),coupledwithreductions
invehiclemilestraveled,arethemostlikelyoptionstosignificantlyreducetheCounty’sGHG
emissionsrelatedtotransportation.Reductionsinvehiclemilestraveledcanbeincentivized
throughlanduse,commutingalternatives,andotherpolicychanges.ThetransitiontoEVs,ifand
whenitoccurs,willdependonmanyfactors,suchasthecostofEVsandtheavailabilityoflocal
chargingstations.
Asapointofreference,EVsuseabout0.3kW‐hr/mile,orroughly3centsworthofelectricityper
mileatcurrentrates.Forcomparison,acarwithaninternalcombustionenginegetting33
miles/galloncosts6centspermileatcurrentfuelpricesofabout$2/gallon.
Industrialprocesses.Energyuseforindustrialprocesses,suchasmanufacturingfurnacesand
cleanrooms,accountsforapproximately7%oftheCounty’s2008energyuse.Basedonthe
availabledata,otherenergyusesprovidesignificantlyhigherleverageonGHGemissionreduction.
However,itisoftendifficulttoseparateheatingfromindustrialprocessing,sinceonemetermay
servebothuses.
TheTaskForcebecameawareofseveralbusinessesforcedtousepropaneratherthannaturalgas
asanenergysource.NYSEGdeniedthesebusinessesaccesstothenaturalgasinfrastructure
becauseofengineeringissuesrelatedtogaspressureinthedistributionsystem.TheTaskForce
alsolearnedofbusinessesthatstatedthatenergyavailabilitywasakeyfactorintheirdecisionto
moveproduction(andthusjobs)toanothercityorstate.Inanefforttobetterunderstandthe
causesandpotentialsolutionsofthesetypesofproblems,theCountycommissionedtwoEnergy
FocusStudies,whicharedescribedelsewhereinthisreport.
RenewableEnergySupply.TompkinsCountyishighlyactiveinrenewableenergyandis
consideredastatewideleaderinthepercentageofsolarinstallations.Atotalof30‐35MWoflarger
renewableenergyprojectsareactivelyseekinginterconnectiontotheelectricgridasofthisreport.
TheGovernorofNewYorkrecentlydirectedthePSCtodevelopastandardmandatingthat50%of
electricenergyconsumedintheStatewillbesuppliedbyrenewablesourcesby2030.
ThePublicServiceCommission,whichregulateselectricenergyinNewYorkState,ispursuinga
sweepinginitiativetore‐thinkthefinancialmodelforenergysupplythroughits“Reformingthe
8
EnergyVision”program.Inaddition,variousotherprojectsareunderway,suchasmicrogrid
developmentandsolarenergypromotionefforts.
TheTaskForcevisitedtheNewYorkIndependentSystemOperator(NYISO)facilityinAlbanytoget
afirst‐handlookathowthebulkelectrictransmissionsystemismanaged,fromgenerationand
transmissiontothesubstationlevel.ThisvisithelpedtheTaskForceputitseffortsonbehalfof
TompkinsCountyinperspectiverelativetotheexternalbulkelectricenergycontext.
CommunityChoiceAggregation(CCA)hasrecentlybeenapprovedbytheNewYorkStatePublic
ServiceCommission.AggregationofelectricsupplythroughCCAprogramsoffersthebenefitof
lowerand/orstableutilitypricesforresidents.Localcommunitieswillhavetheoptiontoset
communityenergypriorities,including:useofrenewableenergysources,settingupcompetitive
biddingforresidentialenergyoptions,establishingafundforenergyplanningandenhancements,
andcontributingtothestabilityandreliabilityoftheelectricgrid.
EconomicDevelopmentOpportunities.Whilethishugetransitionfromfossilfuelstorenewable
energyresourcesandreducingdemandisdaunting,thereisgreatpotentialforjobandbusiness
growthtocapturemoneycurrentlyleavingourcommunitywhenfundsspentonfossilfuelsare
transferredtomulti‐nationalenergycompanies.Re‐circulatingthosefundsinthelocaleconomy
keepsthemoneyworkingforTompkinsCountyresidents.Inadditiontoretainingwealthlocally,
manygreenenergyjobopportunitiesshouldariseaswefacethistransition.
Lookingonlyatfairlybasicenergyefficiencyimprovementstoexistingcommercialbuildings,based
onlocalcasestudiesanddata,thereispotentialforlocalcontractorstodoroughly$42.5millionin
energyefficiencybusinesslocatedinTompkinsCounty,withabout$21milliontobespenton
labor.TompkinsCountyisinanexcellentpositiontokickstarttheenergyefficiencyindustryinthe
SouthernTierbecauseithasexpertise,financingandapopulationofbuildingownerswhoare
furtheralongintheirunderstandingofthevalueofenergyefficiency(andtheimperativetowork
onthisbecauseofclimatechange).
EquityConsiderations.Reducingdemandbyinsulatingandairsealinghomesandcreatingmore
opportunitiestoreducesingle‐occupancyvehicletravelwillresultinlowerlong‐termenergybills–
aparticularbenefittolow‐incomehouseholdsthattypicallypayahigherpercentageoftheir
incomeonenergy.ArecentstudyfromtheAmericanCouncilforanEnergy‐EfficientEconomyand
theEnergyEfficiencyforAllcoalitionfoundthatlow‐incomehouseholdsdevoteuptothreetimes
asmuchincometoenergycostsasdoother,higher‐incomehouseholds,andthatAfrican‐American
andLatinohouseholdsspenddisproportionateamountsoftheirincomeonenergy.
Itwillbeimportanttokeeptabsonhowthisreport’srecommendationsplayoutinthecommunity
sothatnogroupsaredisproportionatelynegativelyimpactedbyanyunanticipatedconsequencesof
therecommendations.Possibleimpactsincluderaisinghousingpricesthroughmunicipalities
adoptingenergyefficientstretchcodesandloweringhousingsalespricesforlow‐income
householdswhoarenotabletoimproveenergyefficiencyifitbecomesmorevaluedinthehousing
market.Wearesensitivetothecommunity'scriticalhousingshortage–forallincomelevelsbut
especiallyforresidentsatorbelowmedianincome–anddonotwanttoexacerbatetheproblemby
simplymandatinghigherenergystandards,whichcouldincreasethecostofhousing.Withthis
consideration,additionalsupportsmaybeneededwhenweaskhousingdeveloperstomeethigher
standards.Inaddition,itwouldhelpifwecouldresolvethesplitincentivesproblembetween
landlordsandtenants,sothatimprovementstoenergyefficiencybenefitbothparties.
9
WHATWELEARNED…
Duringitsmeetingsovertwelvemonthsontopicsassociatedwithlocalenergyandeconomic
development,theTaskForcehasconcludedthat:
1. Relationship‐buildinganddevelopingcommonunderstandingandlanguagearecritical
elementsforachievingemissionsreductionandeconomicdevelopmentgoals.
2. Improvementsmustbemadeincommunicatingandcoordinatingnear‐andlong‐term
planningandGHGreductionobjectiveswithNYSEGandlocalbusinesses,developers,and
planners.
3. Businessesanddevelopersneedaccesstoindependent,3rdpartyexpertstoadvisethemon
energyefficiencyandrenewablealternativesandtohelpthemidentifyenergy‐related
financingandincentives.
4. Oneofthebesttimesfordeveloperstoincorporateenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergy
intotheirprojectsisbeforemunicipalsiteplanreview,whentheyhavenotyetinvested
heavilyindesign.
5. Thescaleofthisproblem(climateandeconomy)requiressolutionsthataresynergisticand
canreallymovethedialonboththeclimateandeconomicdevelopmentfront.
6. Thecombinedeffectoflownaturalgaspricesandtheabsenceofasystemtoplaceaprice
tagoncarbonemissionsundercutsthefinancialcasefortheownerofanexistingproperty
toconverttoaheatpumporotheralternativeenergysystem.Themostfertileopportunity
tofosteratransitiontoaheatpumpsystemiswhenanewbuildingisconstructed,whenan
HVACsysteminanexistingbuildingreachestheendofitsusefullifeandmustbereplaced,
orwhenthesystemisusingcoaloroilastheprimaryfuel.Onthoseoccasions,thefulllife
cyclecostsofthecompetingsystemscanbeconsidered‐‐anapproachthatnarrowsthe
differenceincostandmayfavorthealternativesystem.
7. Fundingforthisworkisexpensive,andsomesortoffundingmechanismneedstobe
developedwithconsiderationandinputfromboththeprivateandpublicsectors.
RECOMMENDATIONSOFTHETASKFORCE
ThechargeoftheTaskForcewastorecommendactionsthatcouldbeundertakeninthenext3‐5
years,underlocalcontrol,thatwouldadvancetheCounty’sGHGemissiongoalswhilealso
supportingtheCounty’seconomicdevelopmentgoals.
During2015andearly2016,theTaskForcedevelopedalargenumberofpotential
recommendationsfromavarietyofsources,including:

DiscussionsatmeetingsoftheTaskForce

Suggestionsfrompublicinputsessions

SuggestionsfromexpertsandconsultantsduringinterviewswithTaskForcemembers
TheTaskForcereasonedthatforitsrecommendationstobeimplemented,anumberofconditions
wouldneedtobemet,including:

Engagementandbuy‐inbystakeholders

Cleardecision‐makingauthority
10

Clearresponsibilityformanagement,action,andoversight

Effectivecommunicationbetweenallinterestedparties

Funding
Indevelopingitsrecommendations,theTaskForceconsideredtheseconditionsandmadethe
furtherassumptionthattheCounty’sEnergyStrategyupdatewouldbuildontheTaskForce’s
recommendationsandprovideaprocesstoincorporatetheneedsintotheCounty’sfutureplanning
activities.Finally,theTaskForcerealizedthatsomeofitskeyrecommendations,althoughthey
couldbestartedin3‐5years,mightrequiremoretimetofullyimplement.
Toselectfromover100potentialrecommendations,theTaskForceusedthefollowingprocess:
1. RecommendationsfirstwereSCREENEDusingthefourelementsofthegroup’scharge.
Similarideaswerecombinedormadepartofabroaderidea,whereappropriate.This
consolidationresultedin41uniquerecommendations.
2. RecommendationswerethenratedforIMPORTANCEbyTaskForcemembers.Items
receivingoneornovotesbyanyvotingmemberoftheTaskForcewerediscussedand
omitted,ifagreedtobygroupconsensus.Thisprocessresultedinafurthernarrowingofthe
recommendations.
3. RecommendationswerethenDISCUSSEDindividuallybytheTaskForceduringthecourse
ofthreemeetings.Duringthesediscussions,thegroupconsideredabroadrangeoffactors,
suchas:

Isitpractical?

Isitworthwhile?(benefit/costratio)

Istheretime&budgettoassessitsfeasibilitymorefully?

WillitsignificantlyreduceGHGemissions?

Willitsignificantlystimulateeconomicdevelopment(oratleastnotnegativelyimpact
it)?

Arethereanypotentialindirectbenefitsorcosts?
Thisprocessledtoasetofprimaryrecommendations,whicharepresentedindetailbelow.All
recommendations,arelistedinAppendixF,asarecordoftheTaskForce’sworkthatcanbeusedin
futureenergyandeconomicdevelopmentplanningefforts.
TheEnergyandEconomicDevelopmentTaskForcerecommendsasix‐prongedapproachtomeet
communityenergyandeconomicdevelopmentgoalsincludingspecificlocalinitiativesthatshould
beundertakentosupportneededchange.TheprimaryrecommendationsfromtheTaskForceare:
1. WorkwiththePublicServiceCommissionandNYSEGtoreducedependenceonnatural
gas,whilesupportingtheongoingEnergySmartCommunitycollaborationwithNYSEGto
supportincreaseddependenceondistributedenergyresources
a. MeetwithPublicServiceCommissionofficers,DepartmentofPublicServiceandNYSEG
staffassoonaspossibletoassessalternativestotheWestDrydenRoadpipeline.Ifearly
discussionsidentifyrealisticalternativesthatarea)economicallyviable,b)canbe
implementedwithexistingtechnology,andc)meettheenergydemandsofthehightech
industrieslocatedalongWarrenRoadintheNortheastsectoroftheCountywhichhave
11
beenseriouslyimpactedbyNYSEG’srejectionofapplicationsforadditionalnaturalgas
serviceconnections,thenaskthePSCtomandateandincentivizeNYSEGtopursuethese
alternativesratherthanbuildthepipeline.
b. AskthePublicServiceCommissionandotheragenciesforpermissionandsupportin
establishingamodelprocessinTompkinsCounty,incooperationwithNYSEG,toreduce
bothpeakandsustainedgasusagethroughweatherization,industrialprocessdesign,
conservation,conversiontoelectricheatpump,andothermeasuresonanongoing,
sustainablebasis.
c. WorkwithPSC,NYSEGandotherentitiestoencourageanddevelopbetterfinancing
toolstospurtheconversionoffossil‐fueledheatingsystemstoelectricheatpumpsor
othersystemsthatcanbefueledthroughrenewablesources.
2. Providesecureandreliableenergytosupportlocalindustry
a. Addresstheneedsofenergyforindustrialprocessingthroughresearch,planningand
technicalassistancetobetterquantifyandunderstandboththeeconomicimpactof
theseactivities,aswellastheenergydemandsandreliabilityneedsoftheindustrial
sector.Cumulativelyindustrialprocessesuselessthan10%ofenergyconsumedinthe
county,yetreliablegasandelectricinfrastructuretosupporttheeconomyiscriticalas
wemakethisenergytransition.Additionally,itmaynotbepossibleforsomeindustrial
activitiestoefficientlyuseenergysourcesotherthannaturalgas,sothetransitionof
industrytonon‐fossilfuelsmaytakelongerthantypicalcommercialorresidential
buildings.Aswemoveforward,itwillbeimportanttoplanforcontinuedreliable
energysupplytotheindustrialsectorincluding,asnecessary,usingsomeofthecapacity
ofexistingnaturalgasandelectricityinfrastructurethatcanbefreedupbyreducing
demandthroughefficiencyimprovementsandrenewableenergyuseelsewhereinthe
community.
b. Workwithouruniquelocalresources,includingCornellUniversity,theAtkinsonCenter,
localindustryandNYSERDAtodevelopresearchprojectsandalternativenon‐fossilfuel
technologiestoaddresstheenergyneedsofindustry,aswellastosharebestpractices.
3. Reducefossilfuelenergyuseincommercialandindustrialbuildings.
a. Worktoreducepeakandbaseloaddemandforbothelectricityandthermalenergyto
achieveimmediateGHGemissionsreductions,avoidthecostofdevelopingexcessive
generation,andoptimizeefficientuseofenergyresources.TheEnergyFocusAreas
projectshouldcontributedirectlytothiseffort.
b. Createa“navigator”programtoprovideindependent,expertadviceandhand‐holding
toassistbusinesseswithplanning,evaluatingandfinancingenergyimprovements.
Promotethisprogramandenlistbusinessleaders’supportthroughinitiativessuchas
theIthaca2030District,whichisfundedbyaNYSERDACleanerGreenerCommunities
grant,andtheproposedmodelSouthernTierIntegratedEnergyProgram.TCADand
ChamberofCommerceleadershipwillbeessentialtoengagebusinessleaders.The
navigatorneedstoservebothnewconstructionandexistingstructureupgrades.The
navigatorshouldbefamiliarwithNYSERDAandotherStateandFederalincentives.This
positionshouldprovideinformationandtrainingtoHVACandplumbingsalespeopleso
thatwhenpeoplereplaceexistingheatingandhotwatersystems,theyaredirectedto
electric‐sourcedratherthanfossil‐fuel‐sourcedreplacements.
c. Enactlocalenergycodesandaggressivelypursuecompliancewithexistingcodesthat
reducefossilfuelenergyuse.TheTompkinsCountyCouncilofGovernmentscouldplay
12
akeyroleincoordinatingactionamongtheCounty’smunicipalities.Developa
commercialbuildingenergydisclosureprogramthatrequiresbuildingsoveracertain
sizeorlevelofenergyintensitytoprovideinformationannuallyregardingtheirenergy
use.TheIthaca2030Districtwillmodelhowsuchaprogramcouldwork.Resolvethe
splitincentivesproblembetweencommercialandindustrialbuildingownersand
tenantstoprovidemutuallybeneficialoutcomesfromimprovementstoenergy
efficiencyinleasedbuildings.Localcommercialandindustrialbuildingownerscouldbe
convenedtoworkthroughsolutionstothisproblem.
d. Developavarietyoffinancialinstrumentsandincentivesthatsupportinvestmentsin
energyefficiencyandrenewableenergysuchasthePACEprogramthroughEnergizeNY
recentlyadoptedbyTompkinsCountyandtheCityofIthaca,andpotentialGreen
EnergyIncentivescurrentlybeingstudiedbytheTompkinsCountyIDA,Tompkins
CountyPlanningandTCAD.
4. Developtheenergyinfrastructureneededtosupportanenergysystemthatprimarily
reliesonrenewableenergyresources.
a. WorkdirectlywithNYSEGtotransitionourenergyinfrastructurefromasystem
primarilyreliantonfossilfuelsforelectricityandthermalenergytoonethatprimarily
utilizesrenewableenergysources.Thiswillneedtoincludechangesandupgradesto
theutilityinfrastructuretoaccommodatelargeamountsofrenewableenergy
generationandaReformingtheEnergyVision(REV)typeprogramtoaddressnatural
gas.SeveralinitiativesarenowunderwayincludingtheEnergySmartCommunity
collaborationbetweenNYSEG,TompkinsCountyandCornellUniversity,andtheEnergy
FocusAreasprojectbeingdevelopedbyTompkinsCountyPlanningandTCAD.
b. Supportdevelopmentoflocalrenewableenergyresourcesthroughlocallandusecodes
thatpromotedevelopmentoftheseresourcesinappropriateareasanddonotcreate
unnecessaryobstaclestodevelopment.Thisisaninitiativeidentifiedinthe2015
TompkinsCountyComprehensivePlanandispartofthePlanningDepartment’s2016
workprogram.AdvocacywithNYSEG,thePSC,NYSERDA,andlocalmunicipalitiesmay
berequiredtoovercomeexistinghurdlestorenewableenergydevelopment.The
TompkinsCountyCouncilofGovernmentscouldbeakeypartner.
5. Reducefossilfueluseintransportation.
a. Buildcommunityinfrastructuretosupportatransitiontoelectricvehicles.ANYSERDA‐
fundedEVDeploymentInfrastructureStudyiscurrentlyunderwaysponsoredbythe
Ithaca‐TompkinsCountyTransportationCouncilincollaborationwiththeTompkins
CountyPlanningDepartment.Recommendationsofthatstudyshouldbeimplemented.
b. Developacommunity‐wideTransportationDemandManagementprogramwithagoal
ofnonetincreaseinvehiclemilestraveled.Thismightbeaccomplishedbyexpanding
ontheeffortsoftheWay‐to‐Goprogramandenlistinggreaterdirectemployer
involvement.TCADandtheChamberofCommercewillbekeypartnerstoengage
employerparticipation.
c. EncouragemajoremployerstoadoptEV‐friendlypolicies,suchasprovidingcharging
stations,privilegedparkingspaces,andreducedparkingfees.
6. Develophousinginwaysthatlimitenergyusebothinbuildingsandtransportation.
a. Developanenergyratingsystemforhousingtoinformpotentialhomebuyersand
rentersoftheenergycharacteristicsofhousingunits.ThelocalResidentialEnergyScore
13
Project,fundedbyaNYSERDACleanerGreenerCommunitiesgrant,has
comprehensivelyevaluatedoptionsforsuchasystemlocallyandimplementationofthe
mostfeasibleapproachcomingoutofthatprocessshouldbepursued.
b. Thelocationofhousingiscriticaltolong‐termGHGemissionreductionsin
transportation,aswellasoptimizationofinvestmentsinotherinfrastructure.Enact
landusecodesthatpromotehousingatappropriatedensitiesin“smartgrowth”
locationsidentifiedinlocallanduseplansandtheCounty’sComprehensivePlan.
ExistingplansattheCounty,CityandTownofIthacaareinexcellentalignmentasare
manyothertownplans.Enactingzoningchangeswherenecessarytopromote
developmentinaccordancewiththeseplansshouldbeahighcommunitypriority.The
CityofIthacaDensitydistrict,theChainWorksdistrict,theCollegetownDensitydistrict
andTownofIthacaTraditionalNeighborhoodDesignHighDensityNeighborhoodson
EastHillandSouthHillshouldbepursuedaspriorityhousingdevelopmentareas.
TheTaskForcebelievesthattheseactionstakentogetherwillsupportcontinuedeconomicgrowth
inTompkinsCountywhilesimultaneouslymeetinggreenhousegasemissionsreductiongoals.
Addedeconomicdevelopmentbenefitswillbethejobscreatedretrofittingbuildingsand
developingrenewableenergysystems,andthesavingsonenergycoststhatwillallowfinancial
resourcesthatwouldotherwiseleavethecommunitytobespentandinvestedlocally.
TASKFORCECONTRIBUTIONSTORECENTINITIATIVES
DuringthecourseoftheTaskForce’swork,severalactivitieswereinitiatedpartiallyinresponseto
issuesidentifiedbytheTaskForceasbothimportantandtimesensitive.
EnergyFocusAreaStudy.TheEnergyFocusAreasStudywasinitiated:toclarifythecapacityof
energysupplyanddistributionsystemsinareasofTompkinsCountythatarecriticaltoeconomic
development,toidentifyanyconstraintstoidentifiedpotentialdevelopmentintheseareas,andto
helpdeterminestrategiestoaddressthoseconstraints.Potentialstrategiesmightbetoincrease
energyefficiency,implementdemandmanagement,andpromotelocalrenewableenergy
generation.
Thestudyconsidersfourgeographicareas,including:
1. Airportarea/CornellBusinessandTechnologyParkandassociatedcommercial/industrial
environs;
2. CollegetowntoEastHillPlaza;
3. SouthHill,includingIthacaCollege,theSouthHillBusinessCampus,Therm,andthe
Emerson(Chainworks)redevelopmentsite;and
4. DowntownIthaca,includingtheeastsideoftheInlet.
Atthetimeofthisreport,aconsultanthadbegunpreliminarydiscussionswithNYSEGandwasin
theprocessofdefiningenergydemandforprojecteddevelopmentinthecoming5‐10years.
GreenEnergyIncentivesStudy.ThisstudywasinitiatedtoassisttheTompkinsCountyIndustrial
DevelopmentAgency(IDA)indevelopingpotentialtaxincentivesforbuildingprojectsthatachieve
veryhighlevelsofenergyefficiencyandreductionsingreenhousegasemissions.Theinitialproject
tasksinclude:
14

Calculatingthegap,ifany,between:1)energyefficiencyandrenewableenergymeasures
thatawell‐informeddeveloperwouldbemotivatedtodesignintoanewproject,basedon
theirownreturnoninvestment(ROI)calculation,and2)whatwouldberequiredtoachieve
variouslevelsofenergyoremissionsreduction,suchasthe80%reductionby2050
standardofTompkinsCounty,orthe70%reductionstandardofthe2030Districtinitiative.

Developingguidelinesfordeterminingwhethernewcommercialandindustrial
construction,extensiveexpansions,orrenovationsaredesignedtomeetselectedenergy
efficiency/renewableenergystandards.

Developingmethodstomeasurewhetherenergyandemissionsgoalswereachieved.
Asofthedateofthisreport,aconsultanthadbeenselectedandwasworkingwithTompkins
CountyandIDAstafftointerviewbuildingdevelopersanddevelopthreelocalcasestudies.
SUMMARY
TompkinsCountytakesprideinitsqualityoflife,environmentalleadership,andinnovation.The
EnergyandEconomicDevelopmentTaskForcewaschargedwithapplyingthesevaluestothe
challengeofreducinggreenhousegasemissionsintheCountywhilesupportingtheeconomic
growthandopportunitythatsustainthequalityoflifeforallresidentsandguestsoftheCounty.
TheTaskForce’srecommendationsrepresentasolidbaseofnextstepsforvariousgovernmental
agenciesandotherstakeholderstotake.Muchofthenecessarytechnologicaldevelopmentto
reducegreenhousegasemissionswilllikelytakeplacebeyondthebordersoftheCounty.Wemust
bevigilantandreadytoadoptpromisingpracticesastheybecomeavailable.
Ontheotherhand,TompkinsCountyhasastrongcapacitytoimplementavarietyofmeasuresitself
inthecoming3‐5yearsinpursuitofitsgoals.TheTaskForcehopesthatTompkinsCounty,by
implementingitsrecommendations,willremainattheleadingedgeofchangeandbecomeabeacon
ofhopeandinspirationforthosewhoalsoseektoreducegreenhousegasemissionswhilegrowing
theeconomythatprovidesakeyelementoftheirqualityoflife.
REFERENCES
1
TompkinsCountyPlanningDepartment,“TompkinsCountyEnergyRoadmap,”
http://tompkinscountyny.gov/planning/energy‐climate
2
TompkinsCountyAreaDevelopment,2015“TompkinsCounty2015Economic
DevelopmentStrategy,”http://tcad.org
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