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Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is Going Green — Club Cuts Carbon Footprint and Energy Costs with New Solar Panels

Mount Kisco, NY (April 17, 2009) – The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester has slashed its carbon footprint with the installation of new solar panels. The panels will also help reduce the Club's long-term energy costs.

The idea came to Club Board member David Singer, who is president and CEO of Robison Oil, Westchester's largest full service oil company. Comfort Save Solutions, a subsidiary of Robison Oil, specializes in energy conservation and green alternatives. "Historically, nonprofits haven't been able to take advantage of the tax incentives offered by the state and federal government for installing an alternative energy solution," says Singer. "We found a way to make it financially viable."

Robison Oil constructed a 10-year power purchase agreement with a monthly payment that matches the Club's current energy costs. The agreement allows Robison to own the system, acquire tax credits, and use those credits to sell the nonprofit electricity. In this way, the Club is able to leverage all the benefits of solar energy without any capital outlay.

"The beautiful part of this program is that the only money spent is the money that would have gone to the utility for the electricity," says Singer. "Instead, that money is used to pay off the lease, allowing the Boys & Girls Club to ultimately own the power plant. The Club is able to significantly reduce its carbon footprint without a financial burden." The 50kW system is designed to last 25 years, which translates into roughly 15 years of free energy for the Club.

"It's a win-win situation and wonderful lesson to our members on the importance of energy conservation," says the Club's Executive Director Brian Skanes. "In addition to the new solar panels, the Club is also making strides to be more environmentally aware through a regular recycling program, electronic newsletters, and the use of energy-efficient bulbs."

The Club expects to start generating its own electricity by the beginning of May. A display on the new solar panels and its benefits will be located in the Club's lobby for members to see.

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is located at 351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY and can be reached at (914) 666-8069 or email.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester was established in 1939 as a place for "boys to get off the streets." It is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and enabling young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The main unit in Mt. Kisco, NY is a 36,000-square-foot facility featuring an eight-lane pool, Child Care Center, gymnasium, games room, two computer labs and an additional 1,600-foot Teen Center facility. The Club has two satellite programs: a youth and teen center in the Yorktown Community Center; and a full service program at The Community Opportunity Center in Tarrytown, NY. The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester serves 3,000 youths, boys and girls ages 6 months to 18 years, from more than 60 Northern Westchester communities. The Club has been ranked among the outstanding Clubs in the national network of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Press Contacts: Kelly Lee, Co-Communications, 914-666-0066, kelly@cocommunications.com

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Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester
351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, New York 10549 (914) 666-8069