Broome County's New Office of Energy Development

1/10/2013 (Updated 6:47:47 PM)

A one stop shop for all energy-related issues is how Debbie Preston described her new Office of Energy Development.

The goal for this office, according to the county executive, is to reduce and conserve energy, and offer guidance to the public through information seminars, a website, and blogs.

Preston also noted that although information on natural gas drilling might be included,  it won't be  the focus of the new office.

"So I don't know how anyone can really say no to such an important project as this. Get the gas drilling out of it, I mean certainly if that's approved by the state and the DEC, yes that will fall under this office, but this is not any cover up for that initiative only, it's not. There's so much more," said Broome  County Executive Debbie Preston.

Preston says no new local property tax dollars are being used to fund the $200,000 office.     

It's a 50/50 partnership between the Industrial Development Agency and the county.

The county's share is funded from the hotel/motel occupancy tax reserve account.



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