RITCHIE, BARCLAY ENERGY FORUM EDUCATES CONTRACTORS

Helps Them Reduce Energy Costs To Homeowners
  
OSWEGO - A forum sponsored by Assemblyman William A. Barclay and State Senator Patty Ritchie  in Oswego on Wednesday helped area contractors learn about ways to help home owners reduce energy costs.
 
The "Home Performance Contracting, Get An Edge On The Competition Forum" in Oswego helped Central and Northern New York contractors learn about incentive programs they can use to improve home energy efficiency.
 
"At a time of rising energy costs, it's imperative that we find ways to help home owners reduce the cost to heat their home,"  said Senator Ritchie. "Helping local contractors to learn ways they can help to reduce energy use is good for them and for the people who hire them."
 
"Improving the energy efficiency of our existing homes will be a significant step towards promoting green job development across the state," said Assemblyman Barclay. "It will help existing companies capitalize on providing green job services. Currently, Oswego County has few businesses eligible to perform energy audits.  As a result, contractors from outside our area are coming into the county performing this type of work.  Having this experience locally will benefit businesses and residents alike.
 
The forum provided information about New York State's "Energy Star" program and the incentives it provides to contractors and their customers to make home energy efficiency upgrades to residential properties. The program is administered through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). 
 
The forum featured presentations from existing Home Performance Contractors, the New York Building Performance Contractors Association, and the Central New York Energy $mart Communities Program. The presenters provided an overview of how the program works, some of the challenges of running a successful home performance business, as well as the benefits to contractors who participate.