47°
OSSINING, N.Y. – The Ossining Daily Voice accepts signed, original letters to the editor. To submit your letter, email ossining@dailyvoice.com.
I am responding to the Village of Ossining Board of Trustees' intent to purchase a gas-guzzling emergency generator at its Indian Brook water filtration plant and other locations. It is an option. However, it tells me that village officials are not thinking “out of the box” when it comes to power usage.
The Indian Brook Reservoir for example has millions of gallons of water that flow into the plant and could be harnessed to a turbine to generate electrical power for the water filtration plant and even to homes in the neighborhood. Back in the day, Ossining had at least two water wheels that produced power for manufacturing companies.
Another option is solar panels. Many municipalities and school districts around the nation now power their facilities in this way at no cost by contracting with solar companies who recover the cost and make a profit by selling the excess power back to the utilities.
Given the soaring prices for gasoline and diesel fuel that the village's proposed generators are subject to, as well as the noise and air pollution that they produce, you would think that the village board would take a serious look at water and solar power. These well-researched and proven green technologies can also serve as an example for what ordinary citizens can effectively and responsibly do to reduce their carbon footprint.
By the way, I have a small solar-powered emergency generator in my home that produces no dangerous fumes or noise. It can power a few lights, telephone, computer, TV and refrigerator for several days, if I use them judiciously.
Miguel Hernandez Ossining
Click here to follow Daily Voice Ossining and receive free news updates.
