Western New York - Eco Friendly

Buffalo Niagara Real Estate & Home Sales

 

Eco-Friendly Western New York

Interesting Green Facts about Western New York:

  • Buffalo NY is the sunshine capital of the Northeast in the summer with 67% of sun filled days during the June - August time period!  And you thought Buffalo was only famous for our snow! 
  • NFTA had hybrid buses in the 1930's long before enviromental awareness was even a thought... 
  • The University of Buffalo is the largest purchaser of Wind Power in New York State.blue and yellow makes green
  • The Buffalo Sabres are dedicated to the sustainability of the environment in Western New York and Southern Ontario through the "Blue & Gold Make Green Initiative". The organization is committed to creating programming to help our fans reduce their environmental footprint and at the same time, educate Sabres fans on conservation issues, teaching fans how to be greener, and directing them to additional resources where they can learn more about environmental issues.

Alternative Energy Options

Let's face it.  There is a big focus on alternative energy these days around the country.  It is the one thing that everyone wants to learn and be part of.  Western New Yorkers (and our friends in Ontario Canada) have been taking advantage of alternative energy long before it was even a concept or trendy. 

Hydro Electric power

Niagara Falls

  • Niagara Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world.  And Niagara Falls also helps generate sNiagara Power Projectome of the least expensive electricity anywhere.
  • In 2007 the Niagara Power Project celebrated its 50th year in operation. 
  • Niagara Falls is a national leader in promoting energy efficiency and the development of clean energy technologies and electric vehicles.
  • In fact, New York Power Authority is now incorporating "sustainability" into all of its day-to-day activities in order to make our facilities operate in the healthiest, most environmentally sound manner possible.
  • Commitment to the environment reflects this philosophy that has been a Power Authority tradition since our earliest days

Read Also:  How Niagara was harnessed

Niagara Power Project Power Vista

Ethanol Production in Western New York

  • Alternative fuels are a hot topic as gasoline reaches $3.30 a gallon and rising.  In Medina is a new Ethanol plant that is producing this alternative fuel.
  • Western New York Energy, LLC was founded in 2004 and is committed exclusively to the operation of its 50 million gallon per year fuel grade ethanol plant in Medina, New York.
  • For more information visit their website.

Read Also:  Slide Show of Western New York Energy

 

Reclaiming our Communities

Love Canal

Love Canal Photos

Love Canal was probably the most well know environmental disaster in this country.  Love Canal was originally meant to be a dream community, who knew of the nightmare that lurked.   In 1978 Love Canal came to the public awareness with 221 families having been moved from the area.   Officially it covered 36 square blocks in Niagara Falls and President Jimmy Carter declared it a federal emergency.

Love Canal brought us awareness to the toxic dumping and the negative effects on the enviroment.  Today the clean up process at Love Canal is a model for many other communities facing the same situation.  It brought greater awareness to our environment and how we can affect it both positively and negatively. 

Read Also:  Lois Gibbs Videos of the Love Canal

Introduction to the Love Canal

Related Love Canal Links

In our own backyard

Map of Love Canal Area

  Buffalo ReUSE

What to do with all the vacant building?

Yes we have vacant buildings in Western New York and the housing court is going after the owners.  Some of these homes have fallen into such disrepair; the only thing to do is demolish them.  Why does this make the list of Green things in Western New York?  The Organization Buffalo ReUse is groundbreaking that they take and recycle as much of the material of the buildings that they take down.   They offer a community-minded alternative to demolition.

Read AlsoWhat is deconstruction?

Congratulations Buffalo ReUse & Michael Gainer

Buffalo Niagara's Alternative to Home Demolition

BusinessWeek Article | Dirty Deeds

Ecological Resources:

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14 Comments on Western New York - Eco Friendly

Hi Colleen - some very interesting things going on in your area!  I like what that group Buffalo ReUse - what a terrific idea to reuse all those materials. 

Who knew Buffalo has the claim to fame of sunniest place in the northeast!?!

Ann

03/12/2008 08:47 PM by Portsmouth NH Real Estate ~ Ann Cummings (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire)


Wow Colleen, You covered a lot in this post! I have a sick and twisted lust for deconstruction, it is a battle I fight on an almost daily basis.

My lovely wife, or all that old wood from that house in the country? So far she has stayed with me, But one of these days... "but honey, they were gonna take it to the dump"

03/12/2008 08:49 PM by Michael I. Pulskamp REALTOR®, EcoBroker® (Mainstreet Brokers)


Colleen it has been years since I have thought about Love Canal, but this blog sure did bring back a lot of memories of the horror those people went through.

And by the way it takes "67% of sun filled days during the June - August time period" to get rid of all the snow you guys get up there during the Winter ....... LOL

03/12/2008 09:20 PM by George Souto (McCue Mortgage Co.)


Hi Colleen! I have only been to Niagara Falls once when I was a little girl. My grandparents drove me and my cousin there for the day. I remember touring under Horseshoe Falls. Love that area!

03/12/2008 10:22 PM by Lizette Fitzpatrick, Kentucky Real Estate (Central Kentucky - Prudential Don Foster)


It is interesting to read your post and know what has been happening in the green awareness sphere.  Green is definately RED HOT in 2008 and I hope that it carries over into the future.

03/12/2008 10:25 PM by Joan Whitebook, ABR, e-Pro, CEBA (Buyer's Option Realty Services)


Hi Everyone, Thanks for your comments...   It is really exciting to see all the great things that are happening here and around the country!

03/13/2008 10:22 AM by Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski (Hunt Real Estate ERA)


Colleen,

It looks like the Buffalo area is very progressive with respect to green power and changing the way we live.

Wonderful compendium of very interesting facts.

Jo 

03/13/2008 10:44 AM by Jo-Anne Smith-Belleville, Quinte and Prince Edward Region Real Estate, Ont. (Royal Lepage Proalliance Realty, Brokerage)


Good to hear that even with all the hydroelectric possibilities that other alternatives are being used.

03/13/2008 12:40 PM by Terry Westbrook ~ Realtor(R) Grand Rapids Mi Ada/Cascade Real Estate (Five Star Real Estate, LLC Grand Rapids , MI)


Colleen~

I'm not sure how I feel about the Love Canal...definitely I did read that ..."...People are again living in the parts of the region that have been declared safe for habitation, though the name has been changed to Black Creek Village..."  I would want to check underground water and playgrounds nearby...I expect that even if the 70AC site is removed from the Superfund List, the company that caused the hazardous environment will have to monitor for chemical leaching.

 

Your post offers outstanding research that all of us can learn from...and that real estate professionals will benefit from reading. THANK YOU.

03/15/2008 02:48 PM by Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty


Colleen,  I love reading your posts.  They are always so informative to what is going on locally in your area. Congrats!! 

03/15/2008 05:10 PM by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® The Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®)


Colleen, Congratulations and thanks for writing an excellent post. You introduced me to information I hadn't seen before, my favorite reason for visiting new blogs.

03/15/2008 07:22 PM by Dave Roberts (Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty)


Hi Colleen - terrific post for this contest, and congratulations on your runner-up finish!  Well-done!

    Ann

03/16/2008 08:06 PM by Portsmouth NH Real Estate ~ Ann Cummings (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire)


HI Colleen - congrats on a well written and thorough post. You have provided some great links that will give me plenty of reading!

I had forgotten about Love Canal -- I was pretty young when it happened, probably off at a soccer field and not paying attention to the news! I will read through the links to get the historical perspective on this.

How great that Buffalo Reuse is helping with the deconstruction of the buildings and keeping materials out of the landfill.

This is an excellent post to raise awareness! Congrats!

03/17/2008 06:57 PM by Mary Bigelow, Renewing Your Life! (Ma's Marketing)


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Real Estate Agent: Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski (Hunt Real Estate ERA)
Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski
Buffalo, NY
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