Environmental Projects & Achievements
for NYC & Republican National Convention
Energy
1. CERC assisted the NYC 2004
Host Committee in acquiring 474 Renewable Energy Certificates
from New York's Fenner Wind Farm via ConEdison
Solutions and Community
Energy to match the electricity use at Madison Square Garden.
This acquisition enables the convention to boast that the electricity
for the convention does not contribute greenhouse gases or air
pollution to the atmosphere.
2. CERC purchased 10,054 Renewable Energy Certificates from New
York hydroelectric and landfill gas capture facilities for $10,054
from Sterling Planet.
The RECs match the electricity use by hotels that host the 50,000
convention-goers, thereby eliminating the associated greenhouse
gases and air pollution.
3. Carbon
offsets credits were acquired to offset the greenhouse gases
emitted by plane flights and car travel to and from the RNC convention
for 50,000 convention-goers. (CERC acquired carbon credits to
offset travel to and from both conventions. This was one effort
for both conventions, not two separate efforts - see DNC
offsets.) The credits were from the following projects, with
donors in parentheses:
Coal mine methane recovery from Blue Creek Mine in Alabama (Boston
Carbon Corporation, Access
Industries, and GreenFuel
Technologies): 62,000 tons.
Landfill gas recovery at Whitefeather landfill in Michigan (Republic
Services, Inc.): 51,000 tons.
Tropical reforestations in Guatemala (EcoLogic
Development Fund): 8,000 tons.
Hydroelectric power from Star Lake Hydroelectric Generating Station
in Newfoundland, Canada (Enel
North America): 1,000 credits.
Solar photovoltaic home lighting project in Sri Lanka (Solar
Electric Light Company): 100 credits.
Waste Management
4. Madison Square Garden (MSG)
Freeman & Associates, the project manager for the Madison Square
Garden construction project has plans to reuse 75% to 80% of all
materials. The company specializes in trade shows and uses modular
building materials. Some examples are:
a.) The steel used to raise the MSG floor will be re-used afterwards
to build a mezzanine in one of Freeman's warehouses.
b.) The lumber has all been sized for re-use.
c.) New carpeting for the RNC will all be used again for future
trade-shows and typically re-used 3 more times.
d.) The pieces of carpet not useable, are sent to a facility
for shredding into twine.
e.). All draperies will be re-used in future trade shows.
5. Recycling at MSG and Farley Building (which houses the media)
MSG will recycle white paper and cardboard. At the Farley Building,
paper, bottles and cans will be recycled.
6. Paper Use Reduction at Farley Building
The Host Committee's hospitality services in the media center
at the James A. Farley Building, operations will be entirely paperless
and will likely reduce paper use by approximately one million
pages.
Transportation
7. General
Motors is providing eight hybrid buses to be used to shuttle
delegates to and from MSG. The buses achieve 60% better gas mileage
and far lower air pollution rates than typical diesel buses.
8. CERC will provide visor cards that explain the anti-idling
law to the bus drivers who will be transporting delegates.
Hospitality
9. New York City Hotels that will house delegates received a
copy of CERC's Guide
Five Easy Steps for Hotels.
10. Food rescue: The official Media Welcome reception at Time
Warner Center on Saturday, August 28th, as well as other events
of the 2004 Republican National Convention, will employ food rescue
by City Harvest.
11. New York State apples will be offered by the Host Committee
at the Farley Building's Media Center. The purchase of local produce
helps preserve New York's scenic farmland and reduces pollution
be preventing the need to transport food over long distances.
Delegate Tours
12. Lower Manhattan Waterfront
Bike Tour
CERC and Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance are hosting a 5 mile
bicycle tour of Lower Manhattan's Waterfront. Riders will witness
the dramatic resurgence of the Hudson River and the East River
- a result of the Clean Water Act of 1972. The tour will bike
past residential and commercial developments. Topics of discussion
will range from local land-use politics to the dredging of the
federal shipping channels.
13. Hudson River Cruise
The Friends of Hudson River Park
and CERC will host this cruise which will enable participants
to discover the rich history of Manhattan's waterfront. It will
include the story of the river's amazing resurgence, from a polluted
landscape of abandonment and decay to one of lush green space,
economic revitalization, and a haven for a diverse array of aquatic
wildlife.
14. Energy Efficient Green
Building and Sustainable Park Tour
Battery Park City Authority, the Environmental
Business Association of New York State and CERC are leading
a visit to the Solaire, the country's first green high rise apartment.
Participants will learn about the facilities' energy efficiency,
water conservation techniques, excellent indoor air quality, and
the associated economic benefits. The tour includes a visit to
Tear Drop Park, where attendees will learn about sustainable horticulture.
Delegate Tours Flier
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