We will be fostering and promoting green initiatives, projects, products , and services of businesses and organizations in our region, at this event and others throughout the rest of the year. Since 2008 our Monday Nite green events have been very well received . We've already partnered with Utica Monday Nite again this summer and look forward to partnering with other companies and organizations in the future. Please contact Richard Morris (event organizer) at 724-6364 or envexpo@dreamscape.com to get involved and for further information about up coming events.
Of immediate concern is getting the word out about our August 1st. events and our call for hybrid, high mpg, and alternatively fueled vehicles to participate in the Caravan from downtown Utica to the Orion Bus Plant tour. Please help us to spread the word and to recruit participants for the Caravan.
1) Tour the Orion Natural Gas and Hybrid Bus Production Plant starting at 6:30 p.m. on August 1, 2011. {Caravan participants, winners of the bus ride, and people who register at the downtown Utica parking lot festivities, will be first in line for the Orion tour}
2) View the collection of corporate and individually owned alternatively fueled, hybrid, and high mpg vehicles at the parking lot (on the east side of Hotel Utica - at the intersection of Oriskany and Seneca Streets)from 4 to 6 p.m...
3) If you own one of these vehicles please contact us to participate in a Caravan leaving at 6 p.m.,from the parking lot to the Orion Plant. Caravan led by an Orion Natural Gas bus. All participants will get VIP access for the Orion plant tour and mention on our web site. Win a ride on the Orion CNG bus, see details below. All of those coming to and registering at the downtown parking lot , will be next in line (after Caravaners and bus riders) for the Orion Bus Plant Tour. Those skipping the downtown festivities and going directly to the Orion Plant , will have to wait for the others to finish the tour.
Those participating in the Caravan from downtown Utica to the Orion Bus Plant will receive VIP access to the plant tour. We are trying to recruit Hybrid, High mpg (anything in the 30s mpg plus such as the Focus, the new Eco-Cruz, Smart Car, etc.), and Alternatively Fueled (natural gas, electric, bio-diesel)vehicles for the Caravan. Please contact us via e-mail or phone to register your vehicle.
Green Local 175 has arranged for Centro to bring in one of their Orion Natural Gas buses specifically for this event. You can win a round trip to the Orion plant tour. Simply be at the parking lot at the intersection of Oriskany and Seneca Streets (the parking lot on the east side of the Hotel Utica)before the 4:45, 5:15, or 5:45 p.m. drawing and have your name picked "from the hat" to win.
If you register before the 4:45 p.m. drawing you will be allowed to put 3 entries "in the hat". Those registering after 4:45 but before the 5:15 p.m. drawing will be allowed 2 entries. If you register after 5:15 p.m. but before the 5:45 p.m. drawing you'll get one entry or chance to win. Therefore, it pays to arrive early to see the vehicles in the parking lot and to get more chances to win a ride on the bus. Those winning seats on the bus will also get VIP access to the Orion Plant tour.
8/1 : Orion Natural Gas and Hybrid Bus Production Plant Tour located at 165 Base Road, Oriskany. The plant is part of Daimler Buses North America , which is the leading commercial bus company in North America.
The production facility in Oriskany, NY provides the system integration and final assembly of the Orion transit buses. The bus structure is shipped from the Mississauga, Ontario Canada plant to the Oriskany, NY plant where seating, engines, transmissions, axles, electrical heating, air conditioning systems and other final finish components are installed.
Tours will be led by the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering, Bob Frank. The tour will include a walk through of the production line based in 2 separate buildings on site. Building 2 is where the frame, after being shipped from the Mississauga, ON plant, enters the production line in Oriskany. This building houses the vehicle assembly line, axle build-up, AC installation, electric harness build-up, and component sub assembly areas. Building 3 houses the final vehicle assembly line and also includes paint booths, vehicle wash bays, water test bay, and maintenance pits.
Assisting on the tour will be Jill Culbertson, Environment, Health, and Safety Specialist who helped The Oriskany plant become certified under ISO 14001 standards in November 2010. The company continues their commitment to the environment while setting goals to reduce electricity, gas and water usage as well as landfill waste.
Daimler has been very gracious to open their facilities for this tour. They request that all visitors wear close toed shoes and foot apparel. No sandals. In addition, cameras and/or other video recording equipment will not be allowed. Daimler and Green Local 175 thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Background:
Daimler Buses is the leading commercial bus company in North America, creating superior value for its customers and setting the benchmark on quality, technology, and value.Daimler Buses North America combines the trusted and proven brands Orion, Setra, and Sprinter shuttle bus to provide customers with a full-range of products from one source. This corporate structure, coupled with the backing of Daimler, provides customers with a strong commercial vehicle brand with unprecedented levels of knowledge, resources, service and financial strength.
In 1988, the first Orion transit bus specifically designed to operate on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was put into service. In 1989, Ontario Bus Industries developed the first Orion II CNG powered transit bus. Orion certainly paved the way to widespread use of CNG fueled buses, and today there are thousands of CNG-powered Orions serving cities across Canada and the United States.
In 1997, a partnership between Daimler Buses and BAE Systems was created to develop a diesel-electric hybrid bus for the urban transit market. The goal was to produce a bus that would reduce emissions, increase fuel economy, and meet the durability requirements of urban transit. The result is a mechanically simple series hybrid system that is clean, efficient, and compatible with future clean-vehicle technologies. The Orion VII Next Generation diesel-electric hybrid bus is now the leading brand of hybrid buses worldwide, with more than 1,000 units in revenue service throughout North America.
Directions:
Please keep in mind that the Caravan will go from downtown Utica via Oriskany Boulevard to get to the Orion Plant.
From Rome: Take 233 to SUTLIFF/JUDD RD. Turn Left. Go down about 2.5 miles and turn right on BASE RD. Turn left into plant at Guard Station. Guards will direct you on where to park.
From Utica: Take RT-12 S/RT-5 W/RT-8 S. Take the RT-840 W ramp toward NEW YORK MILLS. Merge onto JUDD RD. Follow about 8 miles and turn left on to Base Rd. Turn left into plant at Guard Station. Guards will direct you on where to park.
From Oneida: Take RT-365 E. Take the ramp toward RT-69 E/STANWIX/RT-233 S/WESTMORELAND. Turn LEFT onto LAMPHEAR RD. Take the 1st RIGHT onto RT-233/ROME-WESTMORELAND RD. Continue to follow RT-233. Turn LEFT onto SUTLIFF RD/CR-90. Continue to follow CR-90. Turn RIGHT onto BASE RD. Turn left into plant at Guard Station (165 BASE RD.) Guards will direct you on where to park.
6/27 : Earthquakes & Nuclear Power Plant Safety in New York State This presentation will take place in the Upstairs Gallery at the Utica Public Library, 303 Genesee St.. Two Utica College Geology professors will tell the how, what, where, and why of earthquakes. Learn about the different causes of earthquakes and the damage they create.
Professors Herman Muskatt and Adam Shoonmaker will also discuss the vulnerability of nuclear power plants in New York State to earthquakes . Special focus will be on those just upwind of our area. The public will have an opportunity after the presentation to ask questions and to voice their opinions.
7/11 : Solar Installation at La Galerie Rouge Tour, 8240 Seneca Turnpike (Route 5), Clinton, NY.. La Galerie Rouge recently installed a 5.3 kilowatt photovoltaic system consisting of 22 solar panels, which will produce enough power to cover 100% of their electrical usage. Rick and Joanne Bianco, owners of La Galerie Rouge, see solar panels as a viable energy choice here in the Mohawk Valley. This system also reduces their "carbon footprint" which is one of the primary reasons for this installation. On July 11th, starting at 6:30pm , we will be showing how the PV System works and the benefits of net metering. Literature and advice will be available for those interested in learning , which programs are available and possibly doing the same for their home or business.
La Galerie Rouge is located at 8240 Seneca Turnpike (route 5), Clinton, NY. We are approximately a 1/2 mile west of J-Kay Lumber.
7/18 : Old Path Farm Tour at 9035 Grange Hill Road, New Hartford. This small - scale farm produces, local fresh produce and pastured eggs without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. It is part of the local food movement and embraces Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as a way to provide healthy affordable food, to people in our area. Owner Nancy Grove and Pete Bianco will be our tour guides , as well as explain the significance of such terms as CSA and Certified Organic. The tour will provide an aesthetically pleasing experience , which may start you down the road to a healthier lifestyle.
7/25 : Straw Bale Energy Efficient House Tour located at 2972 Austin Road, Clinton, NY.. Owner and designer Mary Ellen Blakey will conduct the tour of the only straw bale house in Oneida County. Ms. Blakey incorporated natural building materials and techniques into this unique structure. Both active and passive solar energy are used in addition, to a wood stove backup to keep total utility costs at around $500 for the year. This is one home owner’s answer to living frugally and reducing her environmental footprint.
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