Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce August Membership Meeting Minutes

Kevin Brady opened the meeting

Kevin announced the first meeting for Old Timers Day at Kiersted House 7 pm August 27th

Kevin introduced Assemblyman Peter Lopez

Mr. Lopez reiterated the importance of small businesses in NYS and in the Saugerties area.  He reviewed the suggestions made at the Small business task force meeting that was held in Saugerties earlier today.

Kevin Brady introduced Frank Falatyn of the Ulster County Solar Consortium

Solar consortium not for profit 503B

Solar Panels twice as much as you are paying today.  20 to 30 year back if you were to install panels.

NYS pays the highest energy costs in the nation

This is why we need a solar consortium n NYS today

New inventive ideas such as solar walls, integrated panels and solar thermal

Solar Thermal is economic today.  Payback periods of 5-7 years

Photovoltaic Farms is also a new development being worked on

Solar Concentrated Power Farms CSP Farms use mirrors to heat molar salt.  Most economical today.  Mostly used n the Southwest.  Will most likely not make its way to the East coast.

East Coast and West coast on two separate energy grids

NYS Solar Consortium has a business plan.

The marketplace at this point is NYC

Coordination for these efforts and development of the materials is in Hudson Valley and Albany

NYC energy usage increases by 1.5% a year.  This requires a new plant every 5 years

1 of the first 13 cities in the nation to be designated solar American cities was NYC

Highest demands for peak energy are in the summer when sun is shining the brightest.  This is when solar energy produces most amount of energy.

Solar energy goes right on the house so that residence can create its own power.

Hudson Valley has been the home of technology for over 50 years as a result of IBM

We have a great heritage in this Valley as a result

This is what will make solar energy affordable

Thin Films for $1.00 a watts (Holy Grail)

If we hit this solar energy will be affordable

We have to be ready for the demand once the cost goes down

Given this we need to recommission the experienced workers, factories, etc.

TSEC is building is building a silicon based PV Industry

Solar panels on you house are as far as technology has advanced today.

Established Training Programs

Working with Community Colleges, Boces, SUNY

Collaborating with Utility companies.  Central Hudson has representation on the board.

Solar Consortium will act as a conduit for funding.  They can not directly receive the contributions however will funnel it to the appropriate parties.  Development, education, facilities Funding will come from the federal government in order to create products and services

Solar Consortium does not incubate.

• Does not create business plans
• Does not provide space
• Does not do business mentoring

Solar Consortium identifies market needs for solar energy and collaborates to make this happen.

TSEC accomplishes their work by implementing and working on projects.

Project examples

• Farms
• Thruway
• Stewart Airport

Sunwise and Hudson Valley Clean energy largest solar companies in NYS.

Apple Farmers went to Consortium in an effort to reduce energy cost of 6-8,000 per month.

What can businesses of Saugerties do to assist the consortium?  Help us align

Executive on Loan Program

Companies have loaned their ee’s

Volunteers that can donate a few days a week

Grant writers are needed

Winston Farms is an area being targeted as a location for a solar consortium location

Current owner of Winston Farms is ready to sell

Town and Village are in support of the Solar Consortium being located on the Winston Farms Property

Kevin Brady presented the oil plan

We received several proposals.  Majority of the proposals are the same.  Bottini is offering our members a plan for 10 cents per gallon less.  This is exclusive to the chamber.  There is no minimum number of participation.

Bottini does offer a service plan. $294 plus tax

Contact Bottini and ask for Nicki

Email will be distributed to all chamber members

Most companies offer 3 plans.

• Prepaid amount up front does not adjust down
• Price cap plan (9 mo payment plan) top cap 4.699.
  
• All Members qualify and this includes both business and home

Kevin approached the membership and asked for suggestions