Bright energy idea

The village of Millerton is actively pursuing a stimulus funding grant from NYSERDA — the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority — for renewable energy. The uniqueness of this grant is that it would fund up to 100 percent of the proposal, which looks to produce electricity for the village’s pump house to bring water from the wells to the water tower (which are the largest consumers of electricity in Millerton). The project is estimated to cost roughly $316,000 — money the village will be able to save if the grant is approved.

What a  bright idea. Anything that can be done to cut costs in this economy, especially when it’s so eco-friendly, is worth pursuing. Did we mention that the savings will also kick in as a result of photo voltaic solar panels being purchased for the pump house?

That’s right, the solar panels would generate electricity when the sun is shining, resulting in a 40-percent savings in the village’s future electricity bills. Roughly 210 solar panels would be needed to get the job done.

The grant application was done by village Trustee Yosh Schulman, who has a reputation for being “green,� as well as a “doer,� and not just a “talker.� The combination is a powerful one, and one that is of huge benefit to the Village Board.

Credit must also be given to the board itself, for being open to the idea and supportive of Schulman’s initiative, as well as his environmentally conscious approach to running the village. Already other municipalities have taken the lead on supporting such practices, towns like Rhinebeck, Red Hook and Poughkeepsie.

“Hopefully it will become more common and I would love to see a mandate,� Schulman said. “It’s a benefit to the environment and to the taxpayer.�

Great!

Let’s hope this trustee continues to proffer his bright ideas to the board. Thus far he’s proven that he has a sensible head on his shoulders and a pretty good track record, which also includes setting up the village’s municipal Web site.

So forget about painting the town red. By February, when the grant winners are announced, Schulman will know if, project by project, he’ll be able to paint the village green. We should be so lucky.