Public Employee Press

Snapshots
Edited by Alfredo Alvarado

How to save money by saving energy

The DC 37 Climate Justice Committee sponsored a panel discussion "Saving Energy, Saving Money," that informed 50 union members about solar panels and energy-saving steps to implement at home.

Ricardo Hinkel, president of Local 375's chapter at the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, outlined several ways members can reduce their energy bills at the Oct. 29 meeting. Hinkel's recommendations included:

• cleaning radiator vents
• using LED light bulbs
• opening curtains during the day and closing them at nighttime
• replacing conventional, multiple plug power strips with more efficient advanced power strips to reduce the electricity wasted when electronic devices are idle
• insulating walls and the attic
• doing full loads of laundry with cold water,and
• lowering thermostats.

Jeffrey Irvine, who works for Sustainable CUNY, which promotes conservation, discussed incentives for installing solar panels and described the city's permit process and building codes.

Lee Smith, a representative of American Solar Partners, discussed federal incentives for purchasing solar panels. American Solar Partners sells American-made, union-built solar panels.