PUSH Green: Working to Build a More Sustainable Community Economy in Western New York
By: Clarke Gocker and Shayla Merritt
Over the last few years, there has been a huge push for everyone to go green. With promises of reducing your carbon footprint, lowering your heating and cooling bills and creating local jobs, the possibilities of going green and creating a more sustainable economy were endless. Reducing your energy consumption – great; lowering one’s heating and cooling bills – absolutely; creating jobs – yes, sounds wonderful.
The glitch? No one could figure out what going green meant or how to build a green economy?
In 2009, after working with the Center for Working Families, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), community-based organizations, organized labor and green job training providers, Governor David Paterson signed the Green Jobs – Green New York Act into law.
In January 2012, PUSH Buffalo, a local membership‐based community organization fighting to make affordable housing a reality, launched their new energy-efficiency program, PUSH Green, to help Erie County homeowners reduce their energy usage and lower their heating and cooling bills.
To help the State reach their energy efficiency goals, PUSH Green is working with NYSERDA as an independent outreach contractor to create living-wage jobs and to help homeowners reduce their high-energy bills. The program provides homeowners with access to free or reduced-cost comprehensive home energy assessments, whole house installation services, affordable financing, and pathways to clean energy training and work.
So, you might be wondering – how exactly is PUSH Green making this happen? Right now our Community Energy Advocates are knocking on doors, organizing community events, and recruiting residents to host house meetings in neighborhoods across Erie County as part of our Friends and Neighbors program. It’s pretty simple. Participate in the program with at least four other homeowners in your neighborhood. Receive discounted pricing from a certified NYSERDA contractor - the more homeowners who participate together, the greater the discount. Reward contractors who commit to hire locally and pay decent wages with more work in your neighborhood. Create family sustaining green jobs for local residents.
You + Your Friends and Neighbors + PUSH Green = A sustainable, community economy.
Interested? Give us a call at (716) 886-1780.
Kenmore resident talking to Brian Paterson, Vice President of New Buffalo Impact.
Over the last few years, there has been a huge push for everyone to go green. With promises of reducing your carbon footprint, lowering your heating and cooling bills and creating local jobs, the possibilities of going green and creating a more sustainable economy were endless. Reducing your energy consumption – great; lowering one’s heating and cooling bills – absolutely; creating jobs – yes, sounds wonderful.
The glitch? No one could figure out what going green meant or how to build a green economy.
In 2009, after working with the Center for Working Families, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), community-based organizations, organized labor and green job training providers, and former Governor David Paterson signed the Green Jobs – Green New York Act into law.
In January 2012, PUSH Buffalo, a local membership‐based community organization fighting to make affordable housing a reality, launched their new energy-efficiency program, PUSH Green, to help Erie County homeowners reduce their energy usage and lower their heating and cooling bills.
To help the State reach their energy efficiency goals, PUSH Green is working with NYSERDA as an independent outreach contractor to create living-wage jobs and to help homeowners reduce their high-energy bills. The program provides homeowners with access to free or reduced-cost comprehensive home energy assessments, whole house installation services, affordable financing, and pathways to clean energy training and work.
You + Your Friends and Neighbors + PUSH Green = A sustainable community and economy
So, you might be wondering – how exactly is PUSH Green making this happen? Right now our Community Energy Advocates are knocking on doors, organizing community events, and recruiting residents to host house meetings in neighborhoods across Erie County as part of our Friends and Neighbors program. It’s pretty simple:
- Participate in the program with at least four other homeowners in your neighborhood.
- Receive discounted pricing from a certified NYSERDA contractor - the more homeowners who participate together, the greater the discount.
- Reward contractors who commit to hire locally and pay decent wages with more work in your neighborhood.
- Create family sustaining green jobs for local residents.
Interested? Give us a call at (716) 886-1780.
