Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Niskayuna-based GE Global Research receives stimulus grants for energy saving, next generation lighting projects
Congressman Paul Tonko recently annouced that GE Global Research in Niskayuna has been awarded two grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act totaling $5.77 million for high-efficiency solid-state lighting projects. Solid-state lighting (SSL), which uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) instead of standard incandescent bulbs, has the potential to be ten times more energy efficient than current sources.
“These smart investments that we are making today will soon pay off with more energy efficient lighting that will cut our energy use and ultimately our reliance on imported foreign oil,” said Rep. Tonko. “These funds will also position our country and American companies like GE as global leaders in the creation of this energy efficient technology, and potentially create new jobs due to the cutting edge research done right here in our community.”
The green economy is taking shape right here in Schenectady County thanks to the hardwork and leadership of Schenectady County Democrats.
For more information on these grants, click here.
“These smart investments that we are making today will soon pay off with more energy efficient lighting that will cut our energy use and ultimately our reliance on imported foreign oil,” said Rep. Tonko. “These funds will also position our country and American companies like GE as global leaders in the creation of this energy efficient technology, and potentially create new jobs due to the cutting edge research done right here in our community.”
The green economy is taking shape right here in Schenectady County thanks to the hardwork and leadership of Schenectady County Democrats.
For more information on these grants, click here.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Legislators Santabarbara, Gordon, Savage Sponsor Important Resolution on Autism
The Schenectady County Legislature recently unanimously adopted an important resolution, sponsored by Angelo Santabarbara and cosponsored by County Legislature Chairwoman Susan E. Savage and Legislator Brian Gordon MD, calling on the New York State Legislature to approve legislation requiring health insurance policies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Just as the passage of Timothy's Law was a crucial step in providing fair and equitable health care coverage, this legislation would provide access to treatment for a growing number of children and adults affected by autism.
Autism is the fastest growing disabling disorder affecting American children, with diagnoses increasing by 500 percent over the past ten years. In New York State, the autism rate for children has been increasing by approximately 15% per year in that time span. Studies from the year 2000 show that 1 in 150 children are affected, but more recent studies place the number closer to 1 in 90 children. Currently, there are 17,000 students age 4 to 21 classified by New York schools as having autism. Failing to provide coverage to these individuals substantially endangers their health and quality of life.
Please read the complete resolution below.
Sponsored by Legislator Santabarbara; Co-sponsored by Legislators Savage and Gordon:
BE IT ENACTED, by the Legislature of the County of Schenectady, as follows:
WHEREAS, Assembly bill number 6888-B and Senate bill number 6123 would amend the NYS Insurance Law to require health insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this state legislation is to ensure that every policy, group policy and/or medical indemnity, hospital service or health service corporation would provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid state legislation would provide insurance coverage for persons with autism spectrum disorders without the imposition of age or coverage limitations; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid state legislation would assist families with the necessary insurance coverage so that their children can receive adequate primary care, educational, rehabilitation and behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid state legislation would enable families to buy insurance products that would allow them to increase the effectiveness of their financial resources in obtaining needed medical treatments and therapies; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this Legislative Body supports Assembly bill number 6888-B and Senate bill number 6123, and encourages the State Legislature to approve such legislation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that this Legislature directs the Clerk of the Legislature to send a certified copy of this resolution to the Speaker of the Assembly, Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Hugh Farley and Assemblyman James Tedisco.
Autism is the fastest growing disabling disorder affecting American children, with diagnoses increasing by 500 percent over the past ten years. In New York State, the autism rate for children has been increasing by approximately 15% per year in that time span. Studies from the year 2000 show that 1 in 150 children are affected, but more recent studies place the number closer to 1 in 90 children. Currently, there are 17,000 students age 4 to 21 classified by New York schools as having autism. Failing to provide coverage to these individuals substantially endangers their health and quality of life.
Please read the complete resolution below.
RESOLUTION 23-10
Sponsored by Legislator Santabarbara; Co-sponsored by Legislators Savage and Gordon:
A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE LEGISLATION REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
BE IT ENACTED, by the Legislature of the County of Schenectady, as follows:
WHEREAS, Assembly bill number 6888-B and Senate bill number 6123 would amend the NYS Insurance Law to require health insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this state legislation is to ensure that every policy, group policy and/or medical indemnity, hospital service or health service corporation would provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid state legislation would provide insurance coverage for persons with autism spectrum disorders without the imposition of age or coverage limitations; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid state legislation would assist families with the necessary insurance coverage so that their children can receive adequate primary care, educational, rehabilitation and behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid state legislation would enable families to buy insurance products that would allow them to increase the effectiveness of their financial resources in obtaining needed medical treatments and therapies; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this Legislative Body supports Assembly bill number 6888-B and Senate bill number 6123, and encourages the State Legislature to approve such legislation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that this Legislature directs the Clerk of the Legislature to send a certified copy of this resolution to the Speaker of the Assembly, Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Hugh Farley and Assemblyman James Tedisco.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Legislator Santabarbara Donates to Autism Society
Democratic Schenectady County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara continues his important and very personal work on the issue of autism. At the recent opening of the new location of the Albany Chapter of the Autism Society of America in downtown Schenectady on lower State Street, Santabarbara donated $4,700 raised from his homemade cheese sales. Watch coverage of the ribbon cutting below:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Congressman Tonko announces funding to help Union College collect and analyze intelligence
Congressman Paul Tonko recently announces the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) release of funding for a project at Union College entitled “Collaborative Research: Measuring and Modeling Collective Intelligence.” This project would attempt to use vast computer networks to create new kinds of intelligent entities that combine the best of both human and machine intelligence. A key to this human-centered computing system is finding a better way to measure the collective intelligence they exhibit.
“This program is a great example of some of the cutting edge research going on in our colleges and universities and represents the kind of bold ideas and innovation that will lead to future scientific discoveries,” said Rep. Tonko. “I commend the work of Union College in attempting to compile this information to understand and solve some of the most complex systems of data and intelligence. Ultimately the solutions discovered in Schenectady will enable us to solve some of the most difficult and complex problems we face.”
Such a system seeks to provide powerful tools for managing and designing intelligence systems. The idea is to provide a collective test of intelligence to groups such as management teams to predict their future performance on a wide range of tasks. The test could then suggest changes the team could make to improve flexibility or effectiveness. People and computers are poised to solve problems together both in an efficient and intelligent manner.
The Division of Information and Intelligent Systems at NSF has provided Union College with $173,908.00 to carry out this research over the next three years, in collaboration with MIT and Carnegie Mellon University. It will also have key implications for computer-supported cooperative work, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, as well as cognitive science, social psychology and organization theory.
“This program is a great example of some of the cutting edge research going on in our colleges and universities and represents the kind of bold ideas and innovation that will lead to future scientific discoveries,” said Rep. Tonko. “I commend the work of Union College in attempting to compile this information to understand and solve some of the most complex systems of data and intelligence. Ultimately the solutions discovered in Schenectady will enable us to solve some of the most difficult and complex problems we face.”
Such a system seeks to provide powerful tools for managing and designing intelligence systems. The idea is to provide a collective test of intelligence to groups such as management teams to predict their future performance on a wide range of tasks. The test could then suggest changes the team could make to improve flexibility or effectiveness. People and computers are poised to solve problems together both in an efficient and intelligent manner.
The Division of Information and Intelligent Systems at NSF has provided Union College with $173,908.00 to carry out this research over the next three years, in collaboration with MIT and Carnegie Mellon University. It will also have key implications for computer-supported cooperative work, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, as well as cognitive science, social psychology and organization theory.
Monday, February 8, 2010
GE Dedicates New Renewable Energy Global Headquarters in Schenectady County
The sucess of the unified economic development team's new approach continues to pay dividends. Just one of the areas of change has been the new positive relationship with GE. The Daily Gazette on February 22, 2009 quoted Jan Smith, spokeswoman for GE Energy, as saying "When the new group came in, they said we should have a climate for change. There has been an effort on [their part] to work with us and us with them." The article further stated "Smith credited the changed environment with GE's decision to locate 500 jobs related to solar and wind power generation." The establishment of the Renewable Energy Global Headquarters in Schenectady has spurred the creation of more than 650 new jobs locally, 150 more than originally anticipated and a year ahead of schedule.
Recently, Schenectady County Legislators joined with GE representatives and Federal, state and local officials to celebrate the official dedication of GE’s Renewable Energy Global Headquarters. The state-of-the-art, eco-friendly facility is a $45 million renovation of Building 53 on GE’s Schenectady campus.
“GE could have built this facility anywhere in the world and we are so happy they chose Schenectady County to be the hub of the company’s fast growing, green energy business,” said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.
“This facility is an investment in the future of GE in Schenectady,” said Steve Bolze, president and CEO, GE Power & Water. “It will help ensure that New York continues to be a global leader in sustainable technology, as GE’s renewable energy business continues to support the growth of a green economy.”
Bolze thanked government and community officials for their support in the development of the new facility.
“The rebirth of Building 53 as our Renewable Energy Global Headquarters is an important symbol of the rapid growth and success of our renewable energy business, particularly in the wind sector,” said Victor Abate, vice president-renewable energy for GE Power & Water. “When we entered the wind energy industry in 2002, it was a $200 million business for us. Today, it has grown into a vibrant business of more than $6 billion.”
Check out the annoucement below:
Recently, Schenectady County Legislators joined with GE representatives and Federal, state and local officials to celebrate the official dedication of GE’s Renewable Energy Global Headquarters. The state-of-the-art, eco-friendly facility is a $45 million renovation of Building 53 on GE’s Schenectady campus.
“GE could have built this facility anywhere in the world and we are so happy they chose Schenectady County to be the hub of the company’s fast growing, green energy business,” said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.
“This facility is an investment in the future of GE in Schenectady,” said Steve Bolze, president and CEO, GE Power & Water. “It will help ensure that New York continues to be a global leader in sustainable technology, as GE’s renewable energy business continues to support the growth of a green economy.”
Bolze thanked government and community officials for their support in the development of the new facility.
“The rebirth of Building 53 as our Renewable Energy Global Headquarters is an important symbol of the rapid growth and success of our renewable energy business, particularly in the wind sector,” said Victor Abate, vice president-renewable energy for GE Power & Water. “When we entered the wind energy industry in 2002, it was a $200 million business for us. Today, it has grown into a vibrant business of more than $6 billion.”
Check out the annoucement below:
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Chairwoman Savage Introduces Calorie Posting Local Law
Recently, Schenectady County Legislature Chair Susan E. Savage introduced a local law to require chain resturants to post caloric information.
“It’s important that we provide the information necessary for individuals to make smart, educated choices about the food they are eating,” said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “By requiring chain food service establishments to post calorie information on menus and menu boards, we are enabling people to make informed choices”
A January 6, 2010 Stanford Graduate School study found that calorie posting on menu boards does influence consumer behavior. Using data provided by Starbucks, the study found calorie posting led to a 6 percent calorie per transaction decrease. The study also found that calorie posting “did not cause any statistically significant change in Starbucks revenue.”
“Many chain restaurants already make some information available, but most of the time this information is behind a counter and the patron must ask for it,” said Savage. “Recent surveys have shown that patrons are much more likely to reduce their calories per order when they see calorie information at the point of purchase. This legislation will be good for consumers while having little if any impact on the restaurants.”
By enacting this legislation, Schenectady County would join New York City and Albany, Nassau, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester Counties in requiring menu postings in New York State. Governor Paterson has also proposed State-wide legislation requiring calorie posting in restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores that belong to large chains.
Watch the press conference below:
“It’s important that we provide the information necessary for individuals to make smart, educated choices about the food they are eating,” said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “By requiring chain food service establishments to post calorie information on menus and menu boards, we are enabling people to make informed choices”
A January 6, 2010 Stanford Graduate School study found that calorie posting on menu boards does influence consumer behavior. Using data provided by Starbucks, the study found calorie posting led to a 6 percent calorie per transaction decrease. The study also found that calorie posting “did not cause any statistically significant change in Starbucks revenue.”
“Many chain restaurants already make some information available, but most of the time this information is behind a counter and the patron must ask for it,” said Savage. “Recent surveys have shown that patrons are much more likely to reduce their calories per order when they see calorie information at the point of purchase. This legislation will be good for consumers while having little if any impact on the restaurants.”
By enacting this legislation, Schenectady County would join New York City and Albany, Nassau, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester Counties in requiring menu postings in New York State. Governor Paterson has also proposed State-wide legislation requiring calorie posting in restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores that belong to large chains.
Watch the press conference below:
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