Preston And Drumm Announce Broome County Energy Initiatives Panel

From the County Executive's Office:

Broome County Executive Debbie Preston and Broome Community College President Dr. Kevin Drumm today announced the formation of the Broome County Energy Initiatives Panel, which will guide the Broome County Office of Energy Development. Preston and Drumm will co-chair the Panel.
“I’m proud of the ongoing progress of the Office of Energy Development and thankful to the outstanding group of community leaders and energy experts who will make up our Energy Initiatives Panel,” said Broome County Executive Debbie Preston. “I’m excited to co-chair this bi-partisan Panel with Dr. Drumm and look forward to the dialogue and discussion that will help shape Broome County’s energy future.”
“Energy is at the core of the world economy, and represents great opportunity for our local economy,” said Broome Community College President Dr. Kevin Drumm. “It is time we bring together many of our local industry leaders and, in conjunction with the Office of Energy Development, create a framework that will increase the County’s energy efficiency and capitalize on new and existing energy resources.”
The Panel, in addition to Preston and Drumm, includes:
- Kelly Wildoner, nominee of the Broome County Legislature Majority;
- Anthony Fiala Jr., nominee of the Broome County Legislature Minority;
- David Bradstreet, Program Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension;
- Paul Cesta, Sr. Engineer, Lockheed Martin Energy Solutions;
- James Donovan, VP of Finance, Willow Run Foods;
- Steve Herz, Joint Landowners Coalition and former County Legislator;
- Ken Kamlet, Attorney, Hinman, Howard & Kattell;
- Erik Miller, Executive Director, Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Board;
- Joe Mirabito, CEO, Mirabito Energy Products;
- William Potter, Earthsponse Solar;
- John Saraceno, CFO, Keystone Associates; and
- Frank Whitney, Private Developer.
The expertise and backgrounds of the Panel members will act as a resource for the Office of Energy Development, while helping to guide the direction of the Office.
The Panel will build off the recommendations of the Energy Advisory Board, formed in 2008 by Legislator Garnar, and expand discussions to include the new energy initiatives and programs of the 21st century.
The Office of Energy Development was created by Legislative Resolution in February 2013 at the request of County Executive Preston. It is working on:
- Reducing and conserving energy in its many forms, developing new energy sources in its many forms and substituting lower cost and lower polluting higher cost and higher polluting energy for lower cost and lower polluting energy;
- Researching and offer guidance on energy initiatives related to conventional energy, alternative energy, renewable energy and safe and environmentally responsible natural gas drilling;
- Developing a multi-year and multi-pronged energy plan for the County;
- Producing community events and seminars to educate residents and businesses on energy-related programs. The first Business Energy Seminar hosted by the Office of Energy Development last month surpassed the expectations of planners, resulting in a capacity-limit Seminar, with walk-in attendees being turned away at the door; and
- Being a community resource for energy-related issues.
The Panel will meet quarterly; the first meeting is slated to take place in 3-6 weeks.