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Would you like to join us?
We meet on the 4th Wednesday every month from 7-8:30pm by zoom to discuss project updates and what's going on in the town and the region.
If interested, email colorpenfieldgreen@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon!
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HeatSmart Monroe: Open House Series
Al Hibner's Self-Guided Tour of His Home Wows the Crowds
Color Penfield Green co-founder and Go-All-Electric enthusiast, Al Hibner hosted an open house for folks considering electrifying their own home heating systems earlier this month. The open house was a museum-quality self-guided tour with interactive games and video loops that brought the whole process to life. He has spent the last two years upgrading his family's 2,200 sq ft home built in 1955 and it now features
- a ducted ground-source heat pump heating and cooling system
- a heat pump water heater
- an air-source heat pump for his basement office
- a heat pump clothes dryer
- a Level 2 car charger
- and building envelope upgrades like new insulation
You can read all about the choices and investments he's made in his "All Electric Life" blog series on our website.
The event was co-hosted by HeatSmart Monroe and is the 2nd in a 3 part Open House Series. The final event will be at the Banister home from 12-2 on Saturday, July 9th at 125 Hamilton St, Rochester. More information and registration here.
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Students Present Food and Energy Audit Results to the BOE
By Anna Yatteau, PHS Junior
The Penfield High School Environmental Club has successfully wrapped up the 2022 school year with immense progress towards implementing a district Sustainability Plan.
On June 7th, Environmental Club members presented data from both the student-run food waste audit at PHS and the Operational Assessments at PHS and Harris Hill (conducted by Wendel, LLC) to the PCSD Board. The Environmental Club also proposed several “areas of opportunity” to reduce districtwide carbon emissions, and board members demonstrated overwhelming support.
This September, the PHS Environmental Club will continue to work closely with the Sustainability Committee and the Board to establish a timeline of emissions and waste reduction targets, selecting budget-friendly yet effective sustainable upgrades. These improvements potentially include: an expanded compost program, electric charging stations at PHS, Variable Frequency Drive pumps, solar panel installations, and much more.
The PHS Environmental Club would like to thank their graduating seniors, Anna Cerosaletti and Sadie Carroway, for their hard work, advocacy, and dedication to the planet over the past four years.
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Warm weather has kicked-off outdoor community events and Color Penfield Green has jumped into the fun.
- We joined our Color Your Community Green sister teams to table at Fairport Canal Days on 6/4 & 6/5
- The Town of Penfield hosted a wellness event for their town employees on 6/9 and invited us to participate
- The Penfield Business Chamber held PenFest on 6/10 for Penfield families
CPG volunteers Cass Tilliman, Lou Anne DaRin, Liz Hoyler, Don Hoyler, Katie Rygg, and Megan Meyer were the friendly faces letting folks know about our organization, sharing information about supporting pollinators, electric vehicles and homes, & plant-based diets. We also collected well over 300 signatures on a petition asking Monroe County to build composting facilities!
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New to the Color Penfield Green Website...
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Eat More Plants - For Your Health and the Earth
by Dr. Erin Campbell, MD, MPH
In this article, Dr. Erin Campbell lays out the simple argument for a more plant-based diet, citing the multiple health and environmental benefits.
You'll also find great resources for learning more - like recipes, local groups, data on health impacts, and much more. Click here for the full article.
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Earth Day Every Day
Green Tips
Curated by Susan and John Steepy
Members of Color Penfield Green
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Hot weather is on the way and many of us will be heading for the beach. Here's new-to-me information and maybe to you. Also: microbeads in our innocent spandex bathing suits and body boards. Evil plastic is everywhere!! And not just microbeads . . . . . But the NY League of Conservation Voters has some options to protect sea and lake life and ourselves.
Enjoy your water activities and be informed.
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Spring & summer are times for celebrating Life and most recently for holding vigils. We tend to "reach for the heavens" in times of both Joy/Gratitude and Grief. A popular way of expressing our feelings is to release helium filled colorful balloons or fire-lit paper and wire lanterns. These visuals and the acts themselves are beautiful and satisfying, but are a potential tragedy to wild life and flammable structures. Please check out the links here and here to see what safe alternatives are suggested to express your feelings.
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We've been concerned about the health of our bee population for years, and it's still of concern with so many toxic chemicals in the environment, particularly neonicotinoids. We can do our part by following the straightforward tips offered here. Enjoy the nice weather we're having and get your vitamin D while working in the garden.
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A lot of people lack the funds to buy an electric vehicle, put solar panels on their roof, or install a geothermal energy system. Indeed, it can be costly to go Green and do your part to protect our environment. However, going Green doesn’t always mean you have to take out a loan if you want to help save our planet. Click on the link below to learn of five ways you can help save the Earth on a budget.
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 Monroe County wants your input! They are developing an Active Transportation Plan and would like to know your thoughts on how we can remake and invest in our county in ways that will make walking and biking more safe and more desirable as a mode of transportation - and not only for fun.
On June 18, a pop-up event will allow for public input. That will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rochester Public Market at 280 N Union St.
Additionally, on June 29, a public workshop will allow for further discussion at the Highland Park Olmstead Lodge at 171 Reservoir Ave. from 3 to 7 p.m.
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The Most Important Thing You Can Do For the Climate Right Now
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Do you have an hour for climate? The most important thing you can do today is to weigh in on the NY Draft Scoping Plan before July 1st!
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It doesn't have a sexy name, but this incredibly important document will be shaping many aspects of our lives for the next 3 decades in NY and they want our opinions! Governments all over the country and the world are looking to follow our lead.
This past spring, local climate advocates from NY Renews, Citizens' Climate Lobby, MIT Alumna for Climate Action, The Climate Solutions Accelerator, and the NYS Center for Sustainable Materials Management ran a series of short presentations on different sections of the plan. Recordings and slide decks are available to learn more. Importantly, the team created template letters that you can edit and easily upload - just follow the instructions at the top of the page. You can access all materials here.
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Igor Orlovich and Ravi Mehta follow the news about Electric Vehicles and have curated items for fans and those thinking about going electric for their next car, SUV, or truck.
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News from the Automakers
- Buick reveals their first All-Electric, Electra (top left), coming out in 2024 and have shared their Wildcat EV concept car (top right).
- The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV and EUV get a major price cut in order to stay competitive. In a world of rising prices at every turn, Chevy announces a $6,000 reduction in these models! (bottom left)
- The F-150 Lightning will be able to "lend a hand" to stranded Tesla owners because the new EV truck will feature a Tesla adapter and charger. (bottom right)
- Hyundai is planning to build an EV factory in Georgia and would build under the Hyundai and Kia brand, the Ioniq 7 and EV9. They will be hiring up to 8,500 factory workers.
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Bloomberg: The Peak of ICE is Behind Us
Bloomberg posted an article earlier this month stating that the Internal Combustion Engine has reached its peak and EVs will be filling the gap on the downhill ride. Right now, there are 27 million electric personal cars on the roads around the world out of more than 1 billion cars. There are less than 2 million EV buses and commercial vehicles and approximately 300 million 2 and 3 wheeled EVs. These numbers are going to change a great deal in the coming years and will reshape how we transport ourselves and goods. "By the end of the next decade, the global fleet of cars with an engine, rather than a battery or fuel cell, will be less than half the size it is today."
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White House Announces Plans for National EV Charging Network
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The Biden-Harris Administration has announced new steps to build out the first-ever national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along America’s highways and in communities, a key piece of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Department of Energy, is proposing new standards to make charging electric vehicles (EVs) convenient, reliable, and affordable for all Americans, including when driving long distances. Without strong standards, chargers would be less reliable, may not work for all cars, or lack common payment methods. The new standards will ensure everyone can use the network –no matter what car you drive or which state you charge in. For the full statement, click here.
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Mark Your Calendars for These
Upcoming Events
Hope to see you there!
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Life on Wheels:
Documentary and Panel Discussion
ReConnect Rochester and the Accelerator
Thurs, June 16th 6:30-8:30pm
The Little Theatre 1, 240 East Ave, Rochester
Suggested donation: $5-$25
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 A look back in history reminds us that Rochesterians once enjoyed a world-class subway and trolley system, and our region was a bastion for biking in the U.S. But like most American cities, during the era of highway construction in the latter part of the 20th century, Rochester succumbed to a car-centric culture and built our existence around the automobile.
We will use Life on Wheels as a springboard to reflect on where we are in Monroe County on our way to transforming once again to be a place where people and vibrancy are prioritized over speeding vehicles, and where seas of asphalt are replaced with shared roadways and green space. Following the film, there will be live discussion with local leaders. For more information, click here.
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Juneteenth Garden Build Community Party
Noire Collective
Fri 6/17, 2-6pm; Sat 6/18 11am-4pm; Sun 6/19 1-4pm
Jefferson and McCree, Rochester
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Attendees will be repainting Black Lives Matter on the road, building a new community garden space, beautifying the block, and feeding the people! Friday and Saturday they will be building beds, cleaning up, painting and planting flowers. Sunday is an all black healing space as they dedicate the garden to those we've lost! Can't make it but want to contribute to the new community garden? Head to their Facebook page to learn how to support the effort financially!
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Intro to Rochester History Bike Tour
ReConnect Rochester
Sat, June 18th 10am-12:30pm
Begins/Ends at Pont de Rennes Bridge
~8 miles, $20/person
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See the Flower City in a different way with this introduction to Rochester by BIKE! You'll get to know our area's story and visit important locations to its development in the Intro to Rochester History tour. This tour is perfect for residents who just want to know more about local history. Great for visitors and family outings as well (not recommended for little kids). See how fun it is to get around Rochester by bike and experience the City's investment in bike infrastructure along the way. For more information, click here.
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Brighton Eco-Fair
Color Brighton Green
Sun, June 19th 9am-1pm
Brighton High School Parking Lot
The fair features the following and more:
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- A wide variety of businesses offering energy-saving and green initiatives, products, and services
- Tables with information and resources about energy- and resource-saving technologies and lifestyle choices - look for Healthy Yards Monroe County!
- Displays of current alternative technologies
- Student projects related to alternative energy and energy conservation.
- Activities for children
- A silent auction featuring energy-saving products and services, to benefit future educational programs of ColorBrightonGreen.org
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Repair Cafe
at South Wedge Mission
1st and 3rd Sat every month 1-4pm
123 Caroline St., Rochester, NY 14620
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Join the international movement to reclaim, restore, and reuse electronics, bicycles, clothing, toys, appliances, furniture, and more! Free! Mark your calendars for 6/18 and 7/2. Contact via swmrepaircafe@gmail.com or text (585) 478-1817 for information.
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Solar Social!
Tuesday, 6/21 7pm
In-Person, Free
Henrietta Library, 625 Calkins Rd
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Have you been considering solar panels for your home? Color Henrietta Green is hosting a Solar Social outside the Henrietta Library with three Solar Installation Companies, solar panels, music, and ice cream.
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6th Anniversary Party and Fundraiser
Sat, June 25th, 3-6pm
In-person: Katboocha Booch Bar
106 Railroad St, Rochester
Multiple ticket options
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Join the 540 Team as they celebrate their 6th Anniversary providing antiracist and environmental justice education to the Rochester Community and beyond. This in-person event is a fundraiser for the organization and will feature live music and local food and drink. There will be ASL interpretation. See event page for more details.
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HeatSmart Monroe: Open House Series
Sat July 9th, 12-2pm
Banister Home
125 Hamilton St, Rochester
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Come check out this 3100 sq ft home built in 1880 that sports a ductless air-source heat pump heating and cooling system as well as a heat pump water heater! Register at this link.
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Sustainability Deep Dives on Connections with Evan Dawson
Connections with Evan Dawson on WXXI often does a deep dive on issues around climate change. These shows have been on in the last few weeks and may be of interest:
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Climate News Across the Country
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Containing the Longest Running Oil Spill in US History
The drilling of fossil fuels not only contributes to the climate crisis. Oil spills have spelled catastrophe for ecosystems in countless locations. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan took out an oil platform off the coast of Louisiana that continues to leak today (see sonar image below). 60 Minutes covered the story of how a Coast Guard captain, Kristi Luttrell and Timmy Couvillion, a local engineer, teamed up to contain the spill. Since 2018, Couvillion's contraption has captured over 1,000,000 barrels of oil.
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Biden Invokes Defense Production Act for Clean Energy
In early June, President Biden took aggressive action to get more solar panels installed, more heat pumps built, more insulation manufactured, and more grid infrastructure created. To do all this, he invoked the Defense Production Act, stating that:
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"Together, these actions will spur domestic manufacturing, construction projects, and good-paying jobs – all while cutting energy costs for families, strengthening our grid, and tackling climate change and environmental injustice. With a stronger clean energy arsenal, the United States can be an even stronger partner to our allies, especially in the face of Putin’s war in Ukraine."
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Color Your Community Green
Network News
Did you know that Color Penfield Green is part of a regional network of volunteers called Color Your Community Green (CYCG), all supported by the Climate Solutions Accelerator?
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We have sister teams in Brighton, Chili, Fairport, Henrietta, Irondequoit, Pittsford, Richmond, Rush, South Wedge, Spencerport, Webster, and elsewhere in the region. We collaborate with each other, learn together, and cheer each other on. You can read about all the great projects going on in these other communities in the June newsletter. Subscribe here.
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Take the Climate Action Pledge
It is critical that we have a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 here in NY. The Climate Solutions Accelerator has developed a strategic climate action plan - a roadmap - for our 9 county region to meet that goal.
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The Accelerator is asking all of us to sign their pledge, committing to being a part of the solution: reducing our personal carbon footprint, educating ourselves on the issue, and pushing for policies at the community and state level that will result in an inclusive green energy transition.
- Take the pledge here
- Read the Strategic Plan here
- Watch the Strategic Plan here
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Penfield's Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program
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Color Penfield Green Encourages You to Opt-Up to Penfield 100
Most of Penfield went with the default 50% renewable which is much better than the ~7% renewable default RG&E mix! However, Color Penfield Green urges you to consider opting into the Penfield 100 program for 100% green electricity.
Since March, the Penfield 100 rate ($0.06443) has been below or competitive with the RG&E variable default supply rate ($0.06361 on 5/12). Thank you, Town of Penfield, for making the switch and locking us in for two years!
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- Browse Good Energy's PenfieldCCA.com Website - HERE
- Enroll in Penfield's CCA electricity program for the 1st time - HERE
- Or... Opt-Up to Penfield 100 - Our 100% Renewable Electricity Program - HERE
- Or... Opt-Out of our CCA electricity program altogether (at any time) - HERE
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Contact Heat Smart Monroe
for a 1-on-1 Discussion
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 Interested in clean heating and cooling for your home but don't know where to start? Have you started exploring your options and now have questions? Contact Heat Smart Monroe and request a 15 or 30 minute conversation with an unbiased expert in the field who can answer your questions about available incentives and various technologies. Schedule anytime at this link.
Learn more about Sustainable Homes Rochester and Heat Smart Monroe at www.cityofrochester.gov/shr and www.heatsmartmonroe.org
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ColorPenfieldGreen is an organization of residents of the Town of Penfield, NY who are concerned about the environment. Our goals are to:
- inform fellow residents about all the incredible ways that our community is “Going Green” with a focus on climate
- educate people as to how they can reduce their carbon footprints - at individual, family, neighborhood, municipal, state, and federal levels
- organize local volunteers to participate in high impact campaigns, and
- support and empower Penfield residents to become community leaders in addressing climate change.
We are respectful, inclusive, nonpartisan, solutions-focused, collaborative, scientifically-informed, and committed to social, racial, environmental, and intergenerational justice.
We are proud of all that Penfield has accomplished and are excited to help lead the way in protecting our environment in the future. Please check out our new and still evolving website ColorPenfieldGreen.org and join us in our current and future campaigns! If interested, send an email to ColorPenfieldGreen@gmail.com.
We'd love to grow our Penfield audience! Share this link with your friends and neighbors so they can sign up to receive this newsletter too:
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