Helping Small Biz Save Big Bucks
By DOMENICK RAFTER
Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) is teaming up with Con Edison and National Grid to help small business owners in Queens take advantage of underutilized programs aimed at lowering energy costs.According to a report drafted by the Center for an Urban Future, New York City pays twice the national average for electricity. A primary reason for this is because programs in place aimed at reducing energy consumption for small businesses are not being employed, mainly because the information on them is not getting out there.
Standing in front of Delta Signs and Flag Store on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale, Addabbo, joined by Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Glendale) and representatives from Con-Edison and National Grid, announced a new initiative aimed at informing small businesses about these programs. One initiative that has been underused is an energy audit the costs between $100 and $400 for businesses, government buildings, schools and other non-residential facilities with energy bills under $75,000.
“Over a 10-year period, less than 1 percent took advantage of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s energy audit,” said David Giles, research associate at the Center for an Urban Future.
Giles agreed that small business owners needed to be better informed of their options, such as Con Edison’s energy savings program, which consists of a free audit and reimbursements of up to 70 percent for renovations to save energy.
“We will pay you to save!” said Rebecca Craft, director of Energy Efficiency at Con Ed.
Addabbo pointed out that Fred Vaynman, owner of Delta Signs and Flags, received an energy audit from Con Ed and was able to save a lot of money by reducing energy costs. Craft said Con Ed also has initiatives for private homeowners as well.
National Grid, meanwhile, is offering energy reduction initiatives through its Three Percent program, which helps businesses cut energy consumption by helping to replace old, inefficient heating equipment with cleaner, newer, more efficient equipment that could cut costs by as much as 30 percent. For more information on National Grid’s Three Percent program, log on to powerofaction.com/efficiency.
Addabbo said his office, Con Edison and National Grid will work with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and local Business Improvement Districts to spread the word to small businesses about these programs.
“We will work to teach small business owners that going green won’t cost them green, it will make them some green,” said Jack Friedman, executive vice president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
Theodore Renz, Executive Director of the Myrtle Avenue BID and Ridgewood Local Development Corp., said that between 10 and 15 percent of businesses along Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood have expressed interest in taking advantage of these programs, and he is working to get more of them involved.
“Every little penny helps,” said Maria Thomson, Executive Director of the Woodhaven BID. She said Woodhaven business owners have been desperate for any way to cut costs and pointed out that these programs will help save jobs.
Addabbo announced he would host roundtable discussions on energy savings for small businesses over the next month. The first event will take place on Thursday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at The Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale, and future events will take place on Thursday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Gate of Heaven School, 104-06 101st Ave, Ozone Park and Thursday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at Glendale Memorial, 72-02 Myrtle Ave, Glendale.
Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125.