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SYRACUSE — Those interested in applying for the WCNY Entertainment Academy have until Dec. 11 to do so, as the organization will hold an information

Phoenix housing complex serves as a pilot project for HydroPod systems

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, North Country, Subscriber Only

PHOENIX — A housing complex in Oswego County is one of the first properties to use a new, locally assembled heat-pump system. The effort targets Christopher Court, a 40-unit complex at 22 Maplehurst Drive in Phoenix that is home to 60 people. Christopher Court is a property of Rock Property Management Company (Rock PMC), also

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PHOENIX — A housing complex in Oswego County is one of the first properties to use a new, locally assembled heat-pump system.

The effort targets Christopher Court, a 40-unit complex at 22 Maplehurst Drive in Phoenix that is home to 60 people. Christopher Court is a property of Rock Property Management Company (Rock PMC), also based in Phoenix.

The heat-pump systems are called HydroPods, and Patrick Rock, owner of Rock PMC, describes them as “all-in-one heating, hot water, heat exchange systems.”

“I think we’re on our third of five buildings, so four [HydroPods] have successfully been installed and actively being used. We’re working on a few more this week, and the remainder will happen before Christmas,” Rock told CNYBJ in a Nov. 25 phone interview.

TK Fabricate of Syracuse manufactured the HydroPods for Christopher Court. The HydroPods will incorporate a high efficiency heating, cooling, and hot water system, and add “continuous ventilation to the apartments that will improve indoor air quality throughout the buildings,” per a May 22 Rock PMC announcement about the project.

Christopher Court has five buildings, each with eight units, and the structures will have one HydroPod per four units.

“So each building’s getting two, and there’ll be 10 total,” Rock told CNYBJ.

Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE) awarded TK Fabricate $10,000 through its Innovation Fund to help in the manufacturing and installation of the HydroPod XL, per a December, 2023 announcement on the Syracuse University news website.

“I created this to improve air quality and comfort for residential tenants, as well as to ease the installation and maintenance processes for building owners,” Tom King, owner of TK Fabricate, said in the Rock PMC announcement. “Our hope is that the successful pilot project stirs new interest in the product, which has the potential to make a significant impact across New York State. We’d love to see the number of projects that use the HydroPod double next year in 2025.”

King created the HydroPod concept in 2019, and both federal and state initiatives are supporting the technology. The initiatives include the Advanced Building Construction Collaborative and NYSERDA’s Advanced Buildings Program. Besides Christopher Court, the product also launched this year at other residential properties in Syracuse, per the Rock PMC announcement. TK Fabricate tested a prototype at the SyracuseCoE.

Partners in the $4 million project include NYSERDA’s RetrofitNY program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NYSERDA is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The project also received supporting loan funds from the New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC).

In addition to TK Fabricate, other partners for this project include Syracuse–based King + King Architects, Ithaca–based Taitem Engineering — which assisted Rock Property Management in receiving NYSERDA funding — and Watertown–based Purcell Construction, bringing it all together by implementing the retrofit.

“With the installation of these heat pumps, the Pods, we have continuous air flow. So, that is a huge benefit in terms of air quality … We should be enjoying much better air quality and avoiding moisture issues. Yes, we’re delivering a more efficient heating and cooling source,” says Rock.

ESD launches small business environmental- support office to help navigate regulations

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Small Business, Subscriber Only

Empire State Development (ESD) says it’s opened a new Small Business Environmental Support Office (SBESO), The SBESO is designed to help small businesses “understand and comply” with federal and state environmental regulations, ESD said in its Nov. 19 announcement. Those regulations involve air, water, solid, and hazardous waste, petroleum and chemical bulk storage, and other

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Empire State Development (ESD) says it’s opened a new Small Business Environmental Support Office (SBESO),

The SBESO is designed to help small businesses “understand and comply” with federal and state environmental regulations, ESD said in its Nov. 19 announcement. Those regulations involve air, water, solid, and hazardous waste, petroleum and chemical bulk storage, and other important environmental standards.

Gov. Kathy Hochul first announced the initiative in her 2024 State of the State address. The new office will provide direct one-on-one guidance to New York small businesses related to environmental regulations and balancing the state’s sustainability goals alongside New York’s economic-development goals.

“Small businesses are not just the backbone of our economy, they also are a partner in helping New York achieve our environmental goals,” Hope Knight, president, CEO & commissioner of Empire State Development, said in the ESD announcement. “ESD’s new Small Business Environmental Support Office will be a resource for small businesses as they navigate an evolving environmental landscape. Small businesses in New York State now have a trusted advisor in understanding and complying with federal and state environmental rules.”

ESD says environmental regulations are in place to ensure a clean and safe environment for all but concedes that regulations can also “prove challenging” for small-business owners to interpret. The new SBESO expands the support and advice offered to small businesses, “free and confidentially,” regarding how to navigate regulations, avoid noncompliance, and remedy violations.

The Small Business Environmental Support Office can be reached by phone at: (877) 247-2329 or email at: SBESO@esd.ny.gov. More information is also available online at: esd.ny.gov/SBESO.

Assistance offered

The SBESO offers several types of assistance to any New York state business with 100 or fewer employees.

They include dealing with compliance and identifying which state and federal regulations apply to a particular business and providing assistance in drafting compliance plans.

In addition, the office can offer mediation help in resolving complaints and disputes as well as outreach and informing small businesses of new or changing regulations, compliance deadlines, and current issues that may impact business operations.

The SBESO also offers business support and coordination with organizations representing business sectors, along with engagement with regulatory agencies to provide feedback from the small-business community.

It also offers guidance on issues pertaining to sustainability, providing resources to move small businesses beyond compliance through energy efficiency, resource conservation, pollution prevention, and sustainability.

En-Joie Golf Club irrigation system at center of a controversy

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Southern Tier, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

ENDICOTT — The En-Joie Golf Club is in the midst of controversy as Broome County looks to upgrade the course’s irrigation system to modernize it and improve its efficiency. The county began operating the course about 17 years ago but does not own it, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar tells CNYBJ. “It’s a municipal golf

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ENDICOTT — The En-Joie Golf Club is in the midst of controversy as Broome County looks to upgrade the course’s irrigation system to modernize it and improve its efficiency.

The county began operating the course about 17 years ago but does not own it, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar tells CNYBJ.

“It’s a municipal golf course, and it’s still owned by Endicott,” he notes.

However, about a year and a half ago, employees began to complain to the county about problems with the irrigation system. The system is about 70 years old, Garnar says, and covers about half of the 18-hole course.

Broome County engaged Ramboll Engineering to conduct a study of the system. The study, which took place from June through October of this year, showed the irrigation system uses 180,000 gallons of water per day from the Village of Endicott’s water system, but it requires about 400,000 gallons of water daily to properly maintain the course, according to a release from Broome County.

“En-Joie is pulling close to 10 million gallons a year out of that water supply,” Garnar tells CNYBJ.

The study went on to recommend a new irrigation system, supplied from the Endicott Wastewater Treatment Plant.

This plan would be beneficial on several fronts, the county executive says. First, it would stop drawing from the village water system, which currently has just one well. It would also stop the disposal of treated wastewater into the Susquehanna River. Finally, Broome County would pay Endicott for the water used in the new irrigation system, creating a source of revenue for the village.

“In a way, we would recycle a lot of their wastewater,” Garnar says.

The study estimates a total replacement cost of $7.8 million for the project, before any engineering costs. It would be a two-year process to replace the irrigation system, the county executive says, with the design, bidding, and bonding taking place in the first year.

Broome County believes replacing the irrigation system is a priority as the En-Joie Golf Club serves as the home of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, part of the PGA Tour Champions.

The event includes the golf tournament for professional tour golfers aged 50 and over, along with a concert that usually features a big-name performer, such as Luke Bryan in 2024 and Maroon 5 expected to perform in 2025. The festivities draw tens of thousands of people to the greater Binghamton area, Garnar says, and the event generates an economic impact of about $3 million.

To continue hosting the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, En-Joie Golf Club needs to be maintained to PGA Tour Champions standards, he adds, and that could be at risk without a new irrigation system.

Under the existing operation contract, Endicott is responsible for maintenance of the golf course. Broome County is willing to undertake the project but can’t do so unless it owns the course, Garnar says. The county can’t issue bonds to finance a project on property it doesn’t own, he says.

However, the village seems unwilling to turn over ownership of the course to the county, Garnar contends.

CNYBJ contacted Endicott Mayor Nick Burlingame for reaction, and he emailed the following statement about the issues facing En-Joie: “We are currently completing our own irrigation study, conducted through Hunt Engineers. Village management and the board of trustees will review the data from both studies to determine next steps, which will include an opportunity for community input and engagement, as we’ve promised. We remain committed to doing what is in the best interest of En-Joie Golf Course, Endicott residents, and the larger community, and hope to work as partners with Broome County toward a solution.”

In the meantime, things remain at a standstill. “We’re just trying to be helpful,” Garnar says. “Our philosophy is let’s take care of the issue.”

NYISO names VP of market structures

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Subscriber Only

RENSSELAER — The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the nonprofit that operates New York state’s power grid, recently announced it has promoted Shaun Johnson to VP of market structures, effective Dec. 1. Johnson is succeeding Rana Mukerji, who currently serves as senior VP of market structures and is retiring at the end of the

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Johnson is succeeding Rana Mukerji, who currently serves as senior VP of market structures and is retiring at the end of the year.

Prior to his promotion, Johnson served as director of market solutions in which he managed comprehensive reforms to NYISO’s energy and capacity markets. He has also led project-management teams in the design of software and business requirements to implement market-system changes.

“As we continue to advance market innovations through the grid in transition, Shaun’s expertise and leadership will benefit our organization, stakeholders, and consumers. The work of Shaun and his team are essential to retaining and attracting the resources that provide grid reliability,” Emilie Nelson, executive VP and chief operating officer of the New York Independent System Operator, said in a statement.

Johnson joined the NYISO in 2003 in the market mitigation and analysis team. He previously held roles including director of market mitigation and analysis, and market-design product manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University at Albany.

Mukerji, who will retire on Dec. 31, joined the NYISO in 2006 and has served as a leader in the evolution of NYISO’s wholesale electricity market design, the organization contends.

“I want to thank Rana Mukerji for his outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence. Since joining the NYISO in 2006, his vision has transformed our markets to support a clean and reliable energy future. He has played a pivotal role in the development of broader regional markets, critical capacity market design changes such as capacity accreditation, distributed energy resources, and many other important market developments. We wish him well in his retirement,” said Rich Dewey, president and CEO of the NYISO.

The NYISO is responsible for operating the state’s bulk electricity grid, administering New York’s competitive wholesale-electricity markets, conducting comprehensive long-term planning for the state’s electric-power system, and advancing the technological infrastructure of the electric system serving the Empire State.

DEC announces nine new state forest rangers

Education & Training, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Subscriber Only

ALBANY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar on Dec. 2 welcomed nine new graduates from the 24th Basic School for New York State Forest Rangers, including two from Onondaga County and one from Oneida County. As part of DEC’s Division of Forest Protection, New York forest rangers protect

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As part of DEC’s Division of Forest Protection, New York forest rangers protect natural resources and public safety and stand ready to support other states across the country in the face of emergencies like wildfires and flooding.

The ceremony, held in Albany on Dec. 2, celebrated graduates from across New York state who followed extensive law enforcement and natural-resources training in the classroom and in the field.

The nine graduates of the DEC’s 24th Basic School for Forest Rangers were:

• Robert Christopher — Camillus, Onondaga County

• Jacob Cleinman — Glenville, Schenectady County

• Ryan Commerford — Clifton Park, Saratoga County

• Zachary Dormer — Naples, Ontario County

• Osita Ezumah — Saranac Lake, Franklin County

• Sonja Hale — Pompey, Onondaga County

• Nathan Jeffery — Lake Placid, Essex County

• Nicole Kocher — Narrowsburg, Sullivan County

• Cody Welch — Waterville, Oneida County

“I commend this brave new class of New York State Forest Rangers for completing this important part of their journey to carry on the proud tradition of protecting New York’s environment and the public,” Mahar said in a news release. “From snow-covered peaks to wildfires in New York and beyond, New York State Forest Rangers are some of the most elite first responders in the state, and I am proud of our newest class of Rangers for stepping up to join our ranks and wish them success as they begin their challenging and fulfilling new careers.”

For the last six months, recruits endured rigorous training at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry campus in the hamlet of Wanakena and the Huntington Wildlife Forest in the town of Newcomb, the DEC noted. The Division of Forest Protection trained the ranger recruits in a wide range of rescue techniques, including rope rescues, and led extensive training in wildfire suppression, prescribed burns, water rescues and wildlife protection, among other skills. Nine graduates will join the state’s forest ranger force for a total of 156 rangers statewide.

Upon graduation, DEC assigns recruits to patrol areas to join the ranks of forest rangers currently serving across the state. In 2023, DEC forest rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, put out 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in dozens of prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests.

State announces contracts for 23 large-scale, land-based renewable-energy projects

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Regional News, Subscriber Only

ALBANY — The state has announced contracts for renewable-energy projects located across upstate New York, including Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and the North Country. Altogether, 23 large-scale, land-based renewable energy projects will provide more than 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 3. They represent enough to power

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ALBANY — The state has announced contracts for renewable-energy projects located across upstate New York, including Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and the North Country.

Altogether, 23 large-scale, land-based renewable energy projects will provide more than 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 3. They represent enough to power more than 700,000 homes throughout New York state.

The state expects the projects to create more than 2,500 near-term jobs, and generate more than $4.7 billion in private investment while “reinforcing the state’s commitment to the development of clean energy, grid resiliency and economic development,” Hochul’s office said.

The contracted awards are the result of the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) 2023 Tier 1 Renewable Energy Standard solicitation.

The payments under the contracted projects will only begin once projects are constructed and begin delivering renewable energy to New York after obtaining all required permits and approvals. Several projects have already started construction activities, and the state expects all projects to be operational by 2028, per Hochul’s office.

Additionally, New York State will “continue to emphasize and enhance engagements” with the projects’ host communities. NYSERDA offers resources and no-cost technical assistance to help local governments understand how to manage responsible clean-energy development in their communities. That includes step-by-step instructions and tools to guide the implementation of clean energy, permitting processes, property taxes, siting, and zoning.

The projects are expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions by 2.3 million metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing nearly 350,000 cars from the road; provide public-health benefits resulting from reduced exposure to harmful pollutants; and provide more than $249 million in commitments to disadvantaged communities from community benefit funds, Hochul’s office contends.

“Today we celebrate 23 more projects that will deliver clean, sustainable energy to our state’s electric grid,” Doreen Harris, president and CEO of NYSERDA, said in the state’s announcement. “New York continues to provide a reliable market for renewable energy projects, and by facilitating responsible development of these projects, we are protecting our natural resources and creating healthier communities.”

The projects will add to New York’s pipeline of large-scale, renewable-energy projects moving toward operation, comprised of 46 solar arrays, land-based wind, hydroelectric, and offshore wind projects under development that will deliver more than 6.3 gigawatts of clean power to the grid; “enough to power 3.7 million New York homes.”

Contracted projects

The following is a list of projects in the CNYBJ coverage area, and the companies involved.

Central New York

• Dog Corners, Cordelio Power, Cayuga County

• Scipio Solar, Cordelio Power, Cayuga County

• ELP Granby Solar II, VC Renewables, Oswego County

• Garnet Energy Center, NextEra Energy Resources, Cayuga County

Mohawk Valley

• Grassy Knoll Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Flat Hill Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Watkins Road Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Hills Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Flat Stone Solar, Cordelio Power, Oneida County

• Tayandenega Solar, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Montgomery County

• Rock District Solar, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Schoharie County

Southern Tier

• Baron Winds II, RWE, Steuben County

• Canisteo Wind Energy Center, Invenergy, Steuben County

• Valley Solar, Cordelio Power, Tioga County

North Country

• Brookside Solar, AES, Franklin County

Finger Lakes

• Trelina Solar Energy Center, NextEra Energy Resources, Seneca County ν

Friends of Kilmer Mansion honored for restoration efforts

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON — Friends of Kilmer Mansion (FKM) was recognized by the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier (PAST) for its Kilmer Mansion restoration efforts with the Historic Preservation Award, presented Nov. 14 at PAST’s annual meeting. “It is a joy to work towards the restoration of such a magnificent, historic mansion,” FKM President Lisa Blackwell

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OPINION: Supporting Small Businesses During the Holidays

Small Business, Opinion, Subscriber Only

Small businesses are the heart of our communities, dotting Main Streets with character, and fostering personal connections among neighbors. These businesses serve as job creators and drive innovation. Their value is further highlighted by the 2024 Empire State Development Annual Report on the State of Small Businesses, which notes that small businesses comprise 98 percent

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Participating in Small Business Saturday, celebrated annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, was a recent opportunity for New Yorkers to show support for independently owned local shops and services.

First observed in 2010, Small Business Saturday has quickly helped promote the significance of shopping locally. Consumers are enthusiastically supportive. According to a recent survey, 93 percent of consumers plan to shop small this holiday season. The same survey noted, “two in three of these consumers say they’re driven to spend more at small shops by a strong desire to support small and local businesses.”

Moreover, Small Business Saturday emphasizes the impact of small businesses on the local economy. Studies show that an estimated $68 out of every $100 spent at local stores stays right in the community, creating a ripple effect that benefits everyone. In return, many small businesses give back to the people of the community by hosting or sponsoring events, supporting youth sports, donating to local charities, and forming partnerships with other local businesses. When small businesses succeed, it empowers local entrepreneurs, preserves the unique character of our communities and fosters economic strength.

In addition to its economic benefits, Small Business Saturday brought attention to difficulties the business community face like burdensome red-tape bureaucracy. Members of the Assembly Republican Conference support efforts to reduce the excessive rules and regulations stifling growth, lower energy costs, and cut taxes. We remain focused on practical solutions that will help small businesses grow and succeed.

By highlighting the value of our friends and neighbors, Small Business Saturday encourages everyone to make more thoughtful choices beyond just one day, reinforcing the importance of supporting local shops and services throughout the year. For this reason, I encourage New Yorkers to search for that unique, one-of-a-kind item at your neighborhood shop and support your local community this holiday season.

William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.

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