Hilltowns Senior News for Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Last week I went to the LIFE Conference. LIFE stands for Low-Income Forum on Energy, and there were some good things, and some not-so-good things.

The best thing was the people who attended. They came from Community Action Agencies, upstate, downstate, and a lot of advocacy groups committed to making our society better for everyone.  A number of the state agency staff, at least at the grassroots level, were also doing their best to assure that information and services were directed where they are needed

Another apparent purpose, from the higher levels, was to roll out the governor’s “Reforming the Energy Vision (REV)” initiative. This is a comprehensive plan to tie together clean energy, regulatory reform, and more efficient energy generation and delivery.

Andrew Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard mandates that half of the state’s energy come from renewable sources by 2030. This will be accomplished through encouraging alternative energy (solar and wind) generation by localities and in new construction.

It includes efforts to create “a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable transportation system” and continuing those programs that already exist for energy relief, like the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP); Weatherization; and EmPower, which provides free energy audits.

I applaud the continuation of those programs, but I’d like to see them all work on a sliding scale, where practically everyone can get some degree of help, but the contribution level adjusts with need and income. In other words, middle-income folks could also receive benefits proportional to family size and income. Essential expenses (medical, taxes, and actual housing costs) would be exempted, and maybe Social Security income would be exempted as well.

A banker talked about creating something like a reverse mortgage for home repairs and energy improvements, where the savings on fuel and increased house value could be used to pay back the money taken out from the home’s present value (also known as equity).

In terms of the renewable energy promotion, I asked how wind and solar farms would be integrated for communities that depend on tourist income. It appeared that this conflict either hadn’t been considered, or was thought to be less important than the energy-generation issue.

There were several initiatives and programs targeted toward cities, urban areas, and places with a high-density, low-income population. I agree, a small dense area lets a program target its money toward getting the most “bang for the buck,” but what about the rest of us?

At the end of the opening panel, which featured the president and chief executive officer of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, a deputy from the State’s department of Public Service, and a senior advisor to the chairman of Energy and Finance from the governor’s office, the moderator asked if there were any questions, so I raised my hand.

My question was: What new programs or incentives or improvements had been made in this initiative that would benefit rural residents and seniors?

The microphone got passed back and forth a bit, and the gentleman from the governor’s office advised me that, as energy efficiency improved, then energy bills and costs would drop, and so everyone would benefit. It’s just the sort of answer I would have given back when I worked for government and in public relations. In other words, the “trickle down” effect, and no practical, useful answer at all.

It is what I expected, but not what I hoped for.

There was some good information, too. Small business owners who are disabled veterans can get an advantage in applying for state contracts.

A solar leasing company can help homeowners get solar systems without having to pay the cost of purchasing a new system. The Public Utilities Law Project had a lot of good information about your rights as a utility customer. The Restore Program provides money for home repairs to seniors whose income is roughly the same as the guidelines for the subsidized housing program.  Last year’s income guidelines were $26,931 for a single person, and $35, 217 for a two-person household.

All this information is, of course, my impressions and opinions only. Income guidelines change, as do the methods for calculating them. If you have questions about any of these initiatives or programs, I strongly recommend that you contact the appropriate agencies directly.

Coming events

Now, having dispensed with the news, there are a few other things going on this month and coming week that you may find more interesting:

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, Perennial Gardening Month, Fashion in Colonial Virginia Month, and National Steakhouse Month.  The coming week is Bed Bug Awareness Week, National Automotive Service Professionals Week (hug your mechanic!), and Pet Appreciation Week.

Monday is Atheists Pride Day, and *D-Day (a little bit of a contradiction there, I fear, foxholes being what they are).  Thursday is Donald Duck Day, and Friday is Alcoholics Anonymous (Founders) Day and Iced Tea Day (appropriate). The weekend includes Banana Split Days, National Lemonade Days, and Poultry Day, which at least demands a barbecue.

Menu

We also have the lunch menu for next week!  (You knew I’d get to it eventually), and games and cards on Monday and Tuesday. Walgreens will be coming by on June 14 to talk about Part D Medicare, and on also on June 14, Butch Lawyer from the Weatherization Program will be giving the details about what is available and how to sign up.

— Monday, June 6: Chicken Parmesan, spaghetti, Romaine salad, wheat bread, milk and citrus ambrosia;

— Tuesday, June 7: Roast turkey with gravy and stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted squash, milk, and applesauce cake with cream-cheese icing; and

— Friday, June 10: Baked ziti with cheese, Italian blend vegetables, wheat roll, milk, and applesauce.

Please call 24 hours in advance to (518) 872-9400 to reserve lunch.  Email , or sign up when you come in. Tell us how many are coming, your name, and your telephone number.  If you’d just like to come and help out, give Mary Moller a call at (518) 861-6253, or email her at , and put “volunteer” in the subject line.

Lunches are provided by Helderberg Senior Services, the Albany County Department of Aging, and Senior Services of Albany. The Hilltown Senior Center is located at 1360 Helderberg Trail (Route 443) in Berne.