Spring 2009

BUSINESS MATTERS


The Greener NY Summit:
Government, Business & Energy –
Who’s Got the Answers?
Presented by MCC’s Green Business Committee
By Jude Jussim, Jussim Communications, www.jussim.com

On Friday March 27th, sponsors Con Edison and Action Carting presented “The Greener New York Summit: Government, Business & Energy: Who’s Got the Answers?” held at Con Edison’s Auditorium.

The seed of the idea was planted at the MCC Green Business Committee meeting by Action’s CEO, Ron Bergamini.  It grew into a half-day summit featuring some of New York City’s sustainability leaders.  Judging from the comments, the event was a winner.

“It’s a great combination of private and public sector people,” said Amy Chender of ABC Carpet and Home.  “For our company it’s really important to have these experts working with us as we steward other businesses to transition to social responsibility.”

Con Edison’s own EVP, John D. McMahon welcomed the audience of over 200.

Collaboration is Key
Congressman Michael McMahon (13th Congressional District of New York), formerly a member of the New York City Council and its Sanitation Committee, was the keynoter.  The Congressman discussed the major funding for sustainability initiatives in the federal economic stimulus bill, including billions for weatherization programs and smart grid initiatives.  There is also $2.5 billion for applied energy efficiency R&D in the Department of Energy budget, a major increase.  Rep. McMahon emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between government and business in bringing these dollars to New York.

Profiting from Green Regulation
The first panel discussion focused on what answers governmental can offer.  Moderator Robert Kafin, Esq., Chairman, Council on the Environment of New York City, emphasized that, “…green regulation is actually about the opportunity to create new profits,” noting that “the solution providers and early adopters will get the profits.”

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer talked about the Go Green Initiative his office began in East Harlem (in response to the neighborhood’s excessive asthma rate) and how it was built to a high level of resident involvement. There are now Go Green Initiatives for Washington Heights and the Lower East Side, as well.

Rohit Aggarwala, Director of the Mayor’s office that while sustainability is a very hot issue, “to succeed, we have to get our hands dirty…”  He noted that “we will need to hit singles before we hit home runs, but it’s the singles that will actually get the job done.”

New York City Councilman James Gennaro of the Environmental Protection Committee picked up on the profitability theme.

“New York should be the city that makes all of the money from this,” he stated.  He discussed the new law requiring a 30% reduction of the city’s carbon footprint, as well as the pending green changes in the housing code and the storm water management plan.  Gennaro raised concerns about proposals to drill for natural gas in the City’s watershed, noting the potential for damage to the unfiltered water supply.

Energy Savings / Greener Energy Options
The second panel presentation on energy, was moderated by David Bomke, Executive Director, New York Energy Consumers Council, Inc..  Panelist Harris Schaer of NYSERDA’s Energy Efficiency Services discussed his agency’s energy efficiency programs for businesses, including energy audits and financial incentives for equipment and projects.  Mike Forese, Renewable Energy Sales, Con Edison Solutions, reviewed the wind power program and why businesses should get involved.  Rebecca Craft, Director of Energy Efficiency, Con Edison, talked about their load management programs and upcoming incentive programs.

Business and Bottom Line Benefits
The final panel featured businesses that are pursuing sustainability initiatives.  Moderator Anselm Doering, Founder/CEO, EcoLogic Solutions, questioned Helena Durst, Vice President, Durst Organization, who discussed her company’s green building development projects and indicated that the company was able to charge a rental premium on those buildings.

Elizabeth Meltz, Kitchen Operations, Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, found it was critical it to involve and train the entire staff repeatedly when implementing sustainable practices.  She indicated that the Group experienced less turnover and higher productivity after starting to work on sustainability.  Ken Haber, VP Quality & Patient Safety and Jessica Prata, Sustainability Officer, both at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, described the process of improving sustainability as a matter of “hardware and software”—the space and equipment must be in place, but to make it work you need to get people educated and excited.

The event included plenty of time for networking and exchanging experiences and best practices in sustainable business.  Greenopia raffled off their New York City Green Guides featuring over 1300 eco-friendly businesses and resources.

Many thanks to Ron Bergamini who spent countless hours organizing the event, along with MCC’s Laura Bucko and Susan Gunn of Con Edison.  Thanks also to supporters NYSERDA, Siemens Corporation, Greenopia and 1010 WINS and to the MCC Green Business Committee.

For more information on MCC’s Green Business Committee please see www.manhattanccgreen.org or contact Laura Bucko, Director of Communications at MCC, at 212-473-7875 or laura@manhattancc.org.

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