Batavia launches home energy upgrade program paid for by plastic bag fee
The Grants for Residential Energy Efficiency in Neighborhoods, or GREEN, program, is set to provide some residents with free home energy audits and grants, officials said.
According to the release, 25 residents will get free audits valued at $1,200. Low-income residents may qualify for grants of up to $3,000 for improvements like insulation, air sealing and energy-efficient appliances, while other participants can receive up to $1,000, the release said.
Applications opened June 16, the city said, and residents must apply by July 18 to be considered for the first round of audits and upgrades. Residents, who must be in good standing with the city and meet eligibility requirements, can apply at bataviail.gov/energyaudit.
Per the release, the program is being paid for by the city's 10-cent plastic bag fee, which went into effect in 2023.
Alex Zelles, the chair of the city's Environmental Commission, said in the release that this was a secondary goal of the bag fee, to 'use any fees collected to offset the associated environmental cost.'
The 10-cent bag fee applies to retailers over 5,000 square feet and is designed to discourage the use of single use plastic and paper bags, the release stated. According to officials, six cents of each plastic bag fee goes into a city-managed sustainability fund, while the other four cents goes to the business at which the item bagged was purchased.
Since it went into effect, the bag fee has generated more than $324,000, the city said. In addition to the GREEN program, the money generated is also funding a project meant to restore natural waterways and a tree planting project that subsidized tree purchases for residents, the city said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
E&E News
19 hours ago
- E&E News
Trump admin rescinds funding for solar farms
The Trump administration will scale back support for solar energy projects on farmland, the Agriculture Department announced. In an appearance with Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden in Tennessee on Monday, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the department was 'rescinding all programs building solar panels on our farmland.' The USDA today stepped back the comment, saying in a news release that smaller solar energy projects through the Rural Energy for America Program would continue to be funded, and suggesting that only loan guarantees — not grants — would face the most stringent limits. Advertisement 'Our prime farmland should not be wasted and replaced with green new deal subsidized solar panels,' Rollins said in a news release.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Nationwide Recall For Product Sold at Walmart, Amazon: Risk of Death Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Roughly 11,200 fuel bottles sold by Amazon and Walmart have been recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said. The CPSC warned that the product could cause serious injury or death by poisoning for young children due to a violation of multiple mandatory standards. Why It Matters Hydrocarbons in liquid fuels pose a serious health risk if inhaled or accidentally swallowed, particularly by young children. Even small amounts can enter the lungs and trigger chemical pneumonia, leading to lasting pulmonary damage or death. The Firefly Fuels Safe & Green 32 oz. fuel bottles violate both the Poison Prevention Packaging Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, according to the CPSC. Newsweek contacted Firefly Fuels Inc. for comment via email outside of normal working hours. The recalled Firefly Safe & Green 32 oz. fuel bottles contain hydrocarbons, which must be in child-resistant packaging, as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The recalled Firefly Safe & Green 32 oz. fuel bottles contain hydrocarbons, which must be in child-resistant packaging, as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. CPSC What To Know Firefly Fuels Inc., based in Sarasota, Florida, manufactures eco-friendly liquid fuels for home and outdoor use. The company's product line includes biodegradable and odorless fuels for oil lamps, candles, torches and lanterns. Marketed as safer alternatives to traditional petroleum products, Firefly Fuel emphasizes non-toxic, clean-burning formulas designed for reliable everyday use. The August 14 recall was initiated after Firefly's Safe & Green 32 oz. fuel bottles' nozzle applicator was found to not be child‑resistant and the fuel was incorrectly labeled "Non‑Toxic," creating a poisoning hazard that could cause chemical pneumonia or death, according to the CPSC. The CPSC said the bottles were sold online at and directly from the manufacturer at between August 2019 and May 2025. Prices were about $20 per bottle. The CPSC instructed consumers to immediately remove the non‑child‑resistant nozzle applicator and replace it with the child‑resistant closure originally provided with the bottle. If the original child‑resistant closure is unavailable, consumers are advised to keep the bottles out of children's reach. As of August 14, no injuries had been reported in connection with the use of the bottles. The recalled fuel bottles were sold online by Amazon, Walmart and Firefly Fuel. The recalled fuel bottles were sold online by Amazon, Walmart and Firefly Fuel. Denis Charlet/Cheng Xin/AFP viaWhat People Are Saying Amazon said on its recall page: "Our Product Safety Team proactively investigates and addresses reported safety complaints and incidents to ensure customer protection from potential product-related safety risks. We closely monitor public recall alert websites and receive notifications from vendors and sellers. Upon discovering a product recall, we immediately halt affected product offerings, and promptly inform both customers and sellers involved about the recall." Walmart said on its recall page: "Walmart and Sam's Club are committed to the health and safety of our customers and members and to providing products that are safe and compliant, all supported by our health and wellness, product safety, and food safety professionals. In the event of a product recall, we work swiftly to block the item from being sold and remove it from our stores and clubs." What Happens Next Consumers who purchased the affected product should contact Firefly Fuels for a free corrected label to put on the bottles and a free replacement child replacement lid if the original is missing.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
UK's South Eastern Railway implements IsoMat tech to mitigate heat issues
The South Eastern Railway has collaborated with Flint Engineering, a UK-based green technology start-up, to address the issue of excessive heat in railway signalling cabinets on the Tonbridge to Hastings line. The new IsoMat system, which is patented and does not require any power, maintenance, or modifications to the internal cabinet, can be installed in under an hour and is designed to manage internal temperatures that can exceed 70°C. The deployment will focus on ten of the Kent Route's most vulnerable cabinet locations this summer. Flint Engineering's IsoMat technology has demonstrated the ability to reduce peak temperatures by more than 21% on the hottest days, utilising a passive heat exchanger installed on the cabinet roofs. The system employs a flat aluminium sheet design with an internal network of sealed channels, allowing for efficient thermal energy transfer. This approach is said to significantly outperform traditional materials such as copper and aluminium in heat dissipation. Following a successful pilot trial, Flint Engineering is preparing to increase the number of IsoMat units for broader deployment across additional high-risk cabinet locations by summer 2026. South Eastern Railway chief operating officer David Davidson said: 'Flint's IsoMat technology provides a simple, effective solution to a complex problem, helping us maintain service reliability even during heatwaves without requiring power, maintenance or complicated installation procedures.' This initiative is part of an effort to explore sustainable solutions to climate change impacts, including passive cooling technologies, in collaboration with Network Rail's Technical Authority and Contracts & Procurement department. Network Rail, which oversees a vast network of rail infrastructure, has faced challenges related to high internal temperatures in signalling cabinets, which can lead to operational disruptions and increased maintenance costs. The introduction of the IsoMat system is expected to alleviate these issues, thereby improving overall rail reliability. Flint Engineering is also commencing commercial production of the IsoMat technology this year, with interest from markets in the UK, North America, and the Middle East. The technology has potential applications beyond railways, including sectors such as construction and commercial refrigeration, where effective temperature management is essential. Flint Engineering CEO Mark Robinson said: 'Our partnership with Network Rail represents a perfect application of our technology where it can make a real difference to critical infrastructure. 'The IsoMat demonstrates how innovative engineering can address climate resilience challenges while delivering significant operational benefits.' In June this year, Network Rail, Neos Networks, and Freshwave launched Project Reach, a partnership focused on eradicating mobile signal blackspots along Britain's major rail routes. "UK's South Eastern Railway implements IsoMat tech to mitigate heat issues " was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
