Renewables

Renewable energy is something that Jefferson County values, hence why they use it to power their businesses and homes. The County also realizes it is a viable business opportunity, and has the basis for hosting a successful renewable energy industry.

The educational institutions in the Drum Country region are dedicated to finding renewable energy options, and so are the government entities that are major employers in the County. This collaboration is just what the County needs to create a solid foundation for industries to build off of.

Source: BLS, 2010

Following along with the statewide trend, Jefferson County has taken steps toward sustainability and implementing green technologies. For example, Jefferson Community College has hired a Coordinator for Energy Programs and has started offering classes in renewable technologies. Other actions the county has taken include local trade unions developing expertise in wind turbine installation and maintenance.

Aside from their own actions at the county level, Jefferson County is also collaborating with other regions in several projects.

• The three-county Drum Country Biomass Working Group is exploring strategies for implementing the development of industry clusters in biomass within their region
• The Center for Community Studies at Jefferson Community College, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and the Belleville Henderson FFA is field testing shrub willows for future energy biomass research.
•  The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, along with various other organizations, provided financial assistance to Doug Shelmidine for the construction of a manure-fired power plant.
• The Galloo Island Wind Farm in Jefferson County, located eight miles offshore, will have 84 wind turbines when the project is completed.