The Eilat-Eilot Alternate Energy Consortium

Conference

American Jewish Congress

June 20, 2008

By

Richard J. Garfunkel

On Friday, June 20, 2008, the Hon. Paul Feiner, Supervisor of the Town of Greenburgh, NY, Ms. Allegra Dengler, Greenburgh Energy Conservation Coordinator, Glen Hockley, Member of the City Council of White Plains, NY, and myself, Richard J. Garfunkel met at the American Jewish Congress offices at 825 3rd Avenue, NYC, NY, with John A. Berenyi, Senior Advisor, of the Energy Task Force for the American Jewish Congress, and representatives from Eilat- Eilot Environmental Unit, Eilat, Israel. Ms. Dorit Benet, the Director of the Eilat-Eilot Environmental Unit and her colleague Mr. Noam Ilan, the Business and Technological Director EE Renewable Energy Authority gave us an overview of what the Eilat Region's consortium of alternate energy firms were developing for both domestic use in Israel, and for potential needs in the United States. With regards to skyrocketing oil prices, the worldwide escalation of energy usage and environmental consequences of greenhouse gases exacerbated by fossil fuel, the development of clean and renewable energy becomes more and more critical each day.

In the Eilot-Eilat District, renewable energy is a catalyst for development. The free ranging discussion covered topics that included the following: Renewable energy, focusing on solar energy mapping of private and public buildings, which could include large box stores, new building codes on sustainability and resiliency, current upgrading of schools, institutions and public offices. The cutting-edge technology that emanates from the Eilot-Eilat region includes sophisticated  wind/solar farms, passive cooling towers, algae bio-fuel, biogas from municipal waste, solar turbines, solar thermal power, and alternate fuel emerging communities.

Part of this discussion involved the creation of jobs through the establishment of these type of industries in commercial or NY State Empire Zones. As part of their the work, through their regional authority, the following has been developed: industrial zones, energy conservation, branding, education, pilot projects, technological centers and the creation of academic programs.

Westchester County, and its villages, towns, and cities can use, commercial development, job creation, alternate-energy programs, environmental education regarding both conservation and smart growth with a focus on sustainability and resiliency.

Therefore, in conclusion, we need a program of solar energy mapping, the integration into the internal engine municipal fleets of alternative-energy vehicles, and a program regarding smart growth. The partnership with emerging technologies coming out of the Eilat-Eilot Region could be critical regarding the transition from fossil fuel to alternate energy sources.