Stantec engineer describes firm’s work on SUNY Cortland’s Dragon Hall

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CORTLAND — Engineers with the Binghamton office of Edmonton, Alberta–based Stantec, Inc. (NYSE: STN) helped a newly constructed residence hall in Cortland earn a top certification for sustainable construction. The U.S. Green Building Council in April awarded Dragon Hall, the newest residence hall at the State University of New York College at Cortland (SUNY […]

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The U.S. Green Building Council in April awarded Dragon Hall, the newest residence hall at the State University of New York College at Cortland (SUNY Cortland), a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification.

Dragon Hall is the first college-housing structure in New York to secure the LEED certification at the platinum level, according to SUNY Cortland.

Crews built Dragon Hall on a redeveloped brownfield, says Mike Heikkila, senior associate in buildings engineering with Stantec’s Binghamton office.

A brownfield is a property on which redevelopment “may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant,” according to the website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Buffalo–based contractor LPCiminelli handled construction on the residence hall, according to a SUNY Cortland news release.

Dragon Hall became SUNY Cortland’s 16th residence hall when it opened last August, the school said.

Stantec finished its work on Dragon Hall in 2013 before the academic year started, says Heikkila.

“We have water-efficient fixtures throughout the building. There’s a lot of plumbing with this kind of dormitory building. We’re saving a lot of water also,” he adds.

Stantec designed the $22 million, four-story building, according to a company news release distributed May 23. Its engineers in Binghamton led the design work on the building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Those systems include energy-saving features such as chilled beams, condensing natural-gas boilers, rooftop photovoltaic (solar) panels, and a total energy wheel for heat recovery, helping make Dragon Hall the first residence hall in the state to achieve the Platinum rating.

A chilled beam is a type of convection heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system designed to heat or cool nonresidential buildings, according to hpac.com, the website of the magazine HPAC Engineering, a publication that focuses on mechanical-systems engineering.

HPAC is short for heating, piping, and air conditioning.

The residence hall’s sustainable features include low-flow faucets and showers with reduced hot-water demands, part of a plumbing system that uses 42 percent less water than a traditional residence hall, according to SUNY Cortland’s April 15 news release.

Dragon Hall’s building envelope works with nature to “aggressively” control heat loss and gain, Stantec said.

A building envelope is a structure’s exterior walls, windows, and roofing, as Heikkila describes it.

“The outside of the building, basically,” he says.

It features sunshades along the south and west facades, high performance windows with integral blinds, and a cavity-wall system with continuous spray-applied foam insulation that acts as insulator, air barrier, and vapor barrier.

“This spray-on insulation is like a foam-type insulation that sticks to everything and expands and it’s a very tight air seal [as well],” he says.

SUNY Cortland described Dragon Hall’s heat-conserving wall and roof insulation as “highly effective.”

An array of rooftop solar panels will produce about 8 percent of the entire building’s electricity annually while plumbing fixtures drive down water use by 40 percent.

Heikkila believes the structure’s best feature is that, through its design, the residence hall is saving 58 percent of the energy usually required for a “typical” building.

Stantec uses a “base-line building” for comparison in determining energy reduction.

“We reduced our energy use by 58 percent over our baseline building through the building envelope … insulation, advanced mechanical systems … the chilled beams, so they’re saving over $31,000 a year for the life of the building,” Heikkila explains.

Besides the Cortland residence hall, Stantec also designed the LEED Platinum energy-saving systems for the new Engineering and Science Building at Binghamton University.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

Reaction to EPA emission-cut proposal mixed

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

New York’s top law enforcer, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations have reacted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) June 2 proposal that would mandate that existing power plants cut carbon-dioxide emissions 30 percent by 2030. “Climate change, fueled by carbon pollution, supercharges risks to our health, our economy, and our way

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“Climate change, fueled by carbon pollution, supercharges risks to our health, our economy, and our way of life. EPA is delivering on a vital piece of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan by proposing a Clean Power Plan that will cut harmful carbon pollution from our largest source — power plants,” Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator, said in the agency’s news release rolling out the controversial regulations.

In addition, the plan would cut carbon emissions from the power sector 30 percent nationwide below 2005 levels, which is equal to the emissions from powering more than half the homes in the U.S. for one year, the EPA contends. It would also cut particle pollution, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide more than 25 percent.

The EPA contends the plan would avoid up to 6,600 premature deaths, up to 150,000 asthma attacks in children, and up to 490,000 missed work or school days, providing up to $93 billion in climate and public health benefits.

The agency also believes the effort would shrink electricity bills roughly 8 percent by “increasing energy efficiency and reducing demand in the electricity system.”

Support
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that same day applauded the proposal.

Climate change poses a “real and present danger” to the people, environment, and economy of New York, Schneiderman said in a statement released by his office.

“Today’s landmark proposal would, for the first time, limit climate-change pollution from the nation’s single largest source, existing fossil-fueled power plants. It would also leverage state-proven methods of cutting climate change pollution by offering states and power companies flexibility in fashioning strategies to achieve needed reductions.”

Schneiderman in March 2011, leading a coalition of states and cities, reached final settlement with the EPA in a 2006 action brought over the agency’s “failure” to set limits on emissions of climate-change pollution from power plants.

The settlement resulted in a schedule for EPA to set these limits, leading to EPA’s proposal in September 2013 to limit climate-change pollution from new power plants and the new proposal to limit existing power plants’ emissions of this pollution.

Opposition
Opponents of the proposed regulations say they expect them to lead to higher costs and hurt job growth.

“[The] regulations issued by EPA add immense cost and regulatory burdens on America’s job creators. They will have a profound effect on the economy, on businesses, and on families,” Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release. “The Chamber will be actively participating in EPA’s input process on these regulations, and will be educating our members and affiliates about their impacts.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, along with state and local chambers and industry associations.

Another organization is sharing reasons why it is opposed to the EPA proposal.

The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, released a paper entitled, “Top Ten Reasons Washington Should Not Impose New Global Warming Laws or Regulations.”

In it, the National Center contends the planet hasn’t warmed since the Clinton administration.

In addition, U.S. energy-related, carbon-dioxide emissions already fell 12.6 percent between 2005 and 2012, while global emissions rose 17.7 percent during the same period.

The organization also contends that claims that 97 percent of scientists endorse the global warming theory are “propaganda,” according to its news release.

The National Center for Public Policy Research describes itself as a communications and research foundation supportive of a “strong national defense and dedicated to providing free market solutions to today’s public-policy problems.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

Charles A. Gaetano Construction receives RecycleOne Business Certification

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

UTICA — The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority recently announced that Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp. (Gaetano Construction) is the first construction company in Oneida and Herkimer counties to receive the authority’s RecycleOne Business Certification. “Gaetano Construction is being recognized for its commitment in taking extra steps to reduce our region’s waste stream through sustainable design

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“Gaetano Construction is being recognized for its commitment in taking extra steps to reduce our region’s waste stream through sustainable design and construction. Gaetano Construction has also developed a comprehensive recycling, solid waste, and energy reduction program in accordance with the Authority’s RecycleOne Business Recycling Program Guidelines,” David Lupinski, director of recycling at the authority, said in a news release.

Gaetano Construction initiates, implements, and promotes sustainable design and construction at numerous construction sites, in addition to implementing waste reduction and recycling in its office, the release stated.

Gaetano’s sustainable efforts include:

Forming an in-house Green Team.
Encouraging the use of recyclable containers at the office and at job sites.
Implementing energy-efficient policies and practices.
Utilizing environmentally friendly products.
Using ceramic coffee mugs in the office in lieu of disposables.
Training employees, subcontractors, vendors and clients in sustainable practices, by providing them with practical tools and methods.
Promoting sustainable practices through various media outlets.
Enrolling project managers in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) educational and training programs geared toward professional accreditation as a LEED Green Associate.
Purchasing and renting materials and equipment from local suppliers and vendors, when feasible, to minimize shipping distance and pollution.
Creating and implementing a mandatory construction waste-management plan and an indoor air-quality plan at all construction projects.

“In order for the implementation of these steps to be successful and ultimately receive this recognition, it has taken a cooperative effort on behalf of all of our employees to focus their efforts on becoming a more environmentally conscious organization,” Rob Munson, project manager and LEED green associate for Gaetano Construction, said in the release.

“Charles A. Gaetano Construction is a leading example of a local company doing its part to implement and promote environmental sustainability across this country. They are well deserving of this certification,” Lupinski said.

The new RecycleOne Business Recycling Certification Program requires an on-site review from staff of the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority to verify that specific solid-waste management, recycling, and energy-reduction criteria have been achieved. If the criteria have been attained, the authority will issue the facility or business an official RecycleOne Business Certification.

For more information on the authority’s RecycleOne Business Recycling Program, contact David Lupinski, director of recycling, at (315) 733-1224, ext. 1600 or visit www.RecycleOneBusiness.com to download the RecycleOne Business Recycling Program Guide.

EFC approves $5.27 million in low-cost financing to create wastewater system for Verona

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Insurance & Financial Services, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

VERONA — The board of directors of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) recently approved and announced almost $5.27 million in zero-interest financing to the Town of Verona to construct a wastewater-collection system in one of its hamlets. The town is extending municipal-sewer service to the Hamlet of Verona in the southern portion

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The Teachers’ Union Neglects Students

Opinion, Subscriber Only

Once again the New York state teachers’ union (New York State United Teachers, or NYSUT) insults quality teachers. Its New York City chapter just watered down evaluations of teachers. That was a concession it won in its new contract. In other words, it moved to protect poor performers. That insults the good teachers. The State

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The State Education Department wants incoming teachers to show they can read at a 12th grade level — in order to be certified to teach your kids and grandkids. Seems sensible to you, right? Not to the state teachers’ union. The NYSUT is fighting this. The union doesn’t mind if new teachers cannot read the certification that allows them to teach. This insults the good teachers. They don’t welcome unfit newcomers. And if you cannot read at a 12th grade level, you are unfit to teach.

Principals want to see lesson plans from teachers. Mostly to make sure they do prepare plans and don’t wing it. Nope, says the teachers’ union. Unfair. Of course this protects teachers who make zero preparation for classes. It insults teachers who take their work more seriously.

Teachers’ unions have long thwarted efforts to fire lousy teachers. And to fire those involved in nefarious affairs. Ask school superintendents how much time and money it costs to fire horrible teachers. They roll their eyes. They admit they are often forced to avoid the battle that unions wage to protect those teachers.

Many quality teachers hate these efforts by their union. But they don’t rise against it because they fear retaliation. Big unions know how to make disgruntled members shut up.

You may have noticed the absence of the word “students” in this column. It seems obvious that the genuine wellbeing of students is too often ignored in union negotiations and contracts. The unions give lip service to students. But their contracts give the lie to this. A union that endlessly protects horrible teachers and low-quality teachers cannot claim to have the welfare of students in mind.

It goes without saying that teachers’ unions fight against charter schools. Against parochial schools. Against home schooling. Such schools produce some of the best-performing students in the state. But they don’t employ unionized teachers. So the union undermines them at every turn.

The governor has managed to do some fancy tap-dancing on this issue. He has pledged support for charter schools. He has supported them in the state budget. Yet he recently managed to get the endorsement of the Working Families Party. That party opposes charter schools.

I don’t know how he managed that. Maybe he convinced party leaders the writing is on the wall. The writing that says charter schools are too good to be ignored much longer.
Here is a concept that would make teachers’ union leaders gag. Let the state and federal governments attach their aid to students. Each student gets so many dollars per year. Their parents choose their schools. The schools get the money that comes with the kids.

This would empower the parents. The teachers’ unions cannot have that. They will come up with any number of other reasons. But the real issue would be loss of their power. Or, specifically, power going to the people — the parents.

This concept is hardly revolutionary. It is the equivalent of vouchers. It works well in a number of countries. Their governments trust the judgment of parents. They trust free markets.

As a result, they have fewer of the problems we have in our ghetto schools, our inner-city nightmares. Parents have the power to move their kids to better schools where they have better chances. And they exercise it. They move toward quality and quality teachers.

From Tom…as in Morgan.

Tom Morgan writes about political, financial, and other subjects from his home near Oneonta, in addition to his radio shows and TV show. For more information about him, visit his website at www.tomasinmorgan.com

State Dream Act Detracts from Final Days in Session

Opinion, Subscriber Only

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The 2013-14 state legislative session is in its final month. The governor, legislators, and advocacy groups are all jockeying in an attempt to get their favored legislation passed and signed into law before the legislative session concludes. The Assembly majority, which is dominated by downstate Democrats, is pushing a number of agenda items including medical marijuana, publicly financed campaigns, and an expansion of abortion rights, to name a few. Unfortunately, there has been little or no discussion of passing legislation that will improve the business climate and create jobs in upstate New York.

One measure that passed in the Assembly in these waning days of the session was what has been euphemistically titled the Dream Act. This legislation would, if enacted, make illegal immigrants eligible for the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). In some respects, the fact that we, as a state, are dealing with this issue illustrates the failure of the federal government to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Nevertheless, I think it is troubling that we are providing state benefits to those who are in our country illegally. Accordingly, I voted against this bill as I have done in the past.

The central tenet of the American dream is that all citizens have the opportunity to seek a better life. Often, the opportunity to attend college is a pathway to that better life. To that end, in effort to help New York students who come from families who may not otherwise be able to afford college, we have the TAP program, which this year provided $976.7 million in tuition assistance.

While this is a lot of money, because of the increasing pool of applicants and because of the increased cost of college, there is a constant need, year after year, to increase funding for the program. Indeed, over the last 14 years, TAP funding has increased from $636 million in 2000 to $976.7 million this year. If the Dream Act were to become law, it would place an additional burden on the TAP program by expanding the pool of applicants to those who are not legally residing in the United States. By some estimates, this could cost the state as much as $20 million in additional TAP funding. This is money that could otherwise be spent on other priorities like health care, public schools, and infrastructure.

While the Assembly has now passed the Dream Act twice, earlier this year, the measure narrowly failed in the state Senate. As part of his efforts to secure the liberal Working Families Party line on the ballot, the governor made a commitment to use his influence to get the Dream Act enacted. Time will tell whether the governor honors this commitment, and he indeed has the influence to get the measure passed. In our state, where we continue to struggle economically, rather than spending political capital to get the Dream Act passed, I would rather see our focus at the end of this session be placed on reducing the burden of government on our lives and businesses. That will be my focus during these last two weeks of session.

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.

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