DEC announces nine new state forest rangers

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ALBANY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar on Dec. 2 welcomed nine new graduates from the 24th Basic School for New York State Forest Rangers, including two from Onondaga County and one from Oneida County. As part of DEC’s Division of Forest Protection, New York forest rangers protect […]

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As part of DEC’s Division of Forest Protection, New York forest rangers protect natural resources and public safety and stand ready to support other states across the country in the face of emergencies like wildfires and flooding.

The ceremony, held in Albany on Dec. 2, celebrated graduates from across New York state who followed extensive law enforcement and natural-resources training in the classroom and in the field.

The nine graduates of the DEC’s 24th Basic School for Forest Rangers were:

• Robert Christopher — Camillus, Onondaga County

• Jacob Cleinman — Glenville, Schenectady County

• Ryan Commerford — Clifton Park, Saratoga County

• Zachary Dormer — Naples, Ontario County

• Osita Ezumah — Saranac Lake, Franklin County

• Sonja Hale — Pompey, Onondaga County

• Nathan Jeffery — Lake Placid, Essex County

• Nicole Kocher — Narrowsburg, Sullivan County

• Cody Welch — Waterville, Oneida County

“I commend this brave new class of New York State Forest Rangers for completing this important part of their journey to carry on the proud tradition of protecting New York’s environment and the public,” Mahar said in a news release. “From snow-covered peaks to wildfires in New York and beyond, New York State Forest Rangers are some of the most elite first responders in the state, and I am proud of our newest class of Rangers for stepping up to join our ranks and wish them success as they begin their challenging and fulfilling new careers.”

For the last six months, recruits endured rigorous training at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry campus in the hamlet of Wanakena and the Huntington Wildlife Forest in the town of Newcomb, the DEC noted. The Division of Forest Protection trained the ranger recruits in a wide range of rescue techniques, including rope rescues, and led extensive training in wildfire suppression, prescribed burns, water rescues and wildlife protection, among other skills. Nine graduates will join the state’s forest ranger force for a total of 156 rangers statewide.

Upon graduation, DEC assigns recruits to patrol areas to join the ranks of forest rangers currently serving across the state. In 2023, DEC forest rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, put out 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in dozens of prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests.

State announces contracts for 23 large-scale, land-based renewable-energy projects

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Regional News, Subscriber Only

ALBANY — The state has announced contracts for renewable-energy projects located across upstate New York, including Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and the North Country. Altogether, 23 large-scale, land-based renewable energy projects will provide more than 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 3. They represent enough to power

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ALBANY — The state has announced contracts for renewable-energy projects located across upstate New York, including Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and the North Country.

Altogether, 23 large-scale, land-based renewable energy projects will provide more than 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 3. They represent enough to power more than 700,000 homes throughout New York state.

The state expects the projects to create more than 2,500 near-term jobs, and generate more than $4.7 billion in private investment while “reinforcing the state’s commitment to the development of clean energy, grid resiliency and economic development,” Hochul’s office said.

The contracted awards are the result of the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) 2023 Tier 1 Renewable Energy Standard solicitation.

The payments under the contracted projects will only begin once projects are constructed and begin delivering renewable energy to New York after obtaining all required permits and approvals. Several projects have already started construction activities, and the state expects all projects to be operational by 2028, per Hochul’s office.

Additionally, New York State will “continue to emphasize and enhance engagements” with the projects’ host communities. NYSERDA offers resources and no-cost technical assistance to help local governments understand how to manage responsible clean-energy development in their communities. That includes step-by-step instructions and tools to guide the implementation of clean energy, permitting processes, property taxes, siting, and zoning.

The projects are expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions by 2.3 million metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing nearly 350,000 cars from the road; provide public-health benefits resulting from reduced exposure to harmful pollutants; and provide more than $249 million in commitments to disadvantaged communities from community benefit funds, Hochul’s office contends.

“Today we celebrate 23 more projects that will deliver clean, sustainable energy to our state’s electric grid,” Doreen Harris, president and CEO of NYSERDA, said in the state’s announcement. “New York continues to provide a reliable market for renewable energy projects, and by facilitating responsible development of these projects, we are protecting our natural resources and creating healthier communities.”

The projects will add to New York’s pipeline of large-scale, renewable-energy projects moving toward operation, comprised of 46 solar arrays, land-based wind, hydroelectric, and offshore wind projects under development that will deliver more than 6.3 gigawatts of clean power to the grid; “enough to power 3.7 million New York homes.”

Contracted projects

The following is a list of projects in the CNYBJ coverage area, and the companies involved.

Central New York

• Dog Corners, Cordelio Power, Cayuga County

• Scipio Solar, Cordelio Power, Cayuga County

• ELP Granby Solar II, VC Renewables, Oswego County

• Garnet Energy Center, NextEra Energy Resources, Cayuga County

Mohawk Valley

• Grassy Knoll Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Flat Hill Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Watkins Road Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Hills Solar, Cordelio Power, Herkimer County

• Flat Stone Solar, Cordelio Power, Oneida County

• Tayandenega Solar, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Montgomery County

• Rock District Solar, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, Schoharie County

Southern Tier

• Baron Winds II, RWE, Steuben County

• Canisteo Wind Energy Center, Invenergy, Steuben County

• Valley Solar, Cordelio Power, Tioga County

North Country

• Brookside Solar, AES, Franklin County

Finger Lakes

• Trelina Solar Energy Center, NextEra Energy Resources, Seneca County ν

Friends of Kilmer Mansion honored for restoration efforts

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON — Friends of Kilmer Mansion (FKM) was recognized by the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier (PAST) for its Kilmer Mansion restoration efforts with the Historic Preservation Award, presented Nov. 14 at PAST’s annual meeting. “It is a joy to work towards the restoration of such a magnificent, historic mansion,” FKM President Lisa Blackwell

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2024 Family Business Awards Event Supplement

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Click here to read about this year’s honorees!

OPINION: Supporting Small Businesses During the Holidays

Small Business, Opinion, Subscriber Only

Small businesses are the heart of our communities, dotting Main Streets with character, and fostering personal connections among neighbors. These businesses serve as job creators and drive innovation. Their value is further highlighted by the 2024 Empire State Development Annual Report on the State of Small Businesses, which notes that small businesses comprise 98 percent

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Participating in Small Business Saturday, celebrated annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, was a recent opportunity for New Yorkers to show support for independently owned local shops and services.

First observed in 2010, Small Business Saturday has quickly helped promote the significance of shopping locally. Consumers are enthusiastically supportive. According to a recent survey, 93 percent of consumers plan to shop small this holiday season. The same survey noted, “two in three of these consumers say they’re driven to spend more at small shops by a strong desire to support small and local businesses.”

Moreover, Small Business Saturday emphasizes the impact of small businesses on the local economy. Studies show that an estimated $68 out of every $100 spent at local stores stays right in the community, creating a ripple effect that benefits everyone. In return, many small businesses give back to the people of the community by hosting or sponsoring events, supporting youth sports, donating to local charities, and forming partnerships with other local businesses. When small businesses succeed, it empowers local entrepreneurs, preserves the unique character of our communities and fosters economic strength.

In addition to its economic benefits, Small Business Saturday brought attention to difficulties the business community face like burdensome red-tape bureaucracy. Members of the Assembly Republican Conference support efforts to reduce the excessive rules and regulations stifling growth, lower energy costs, and cut taxes. We remain focused on practical solutions that will help small businesses grow and succeed.

By highlighting the value of our friends and neighbors, Small Business Saturday encourages everyone to make more thoughtful choices beyond just one day, reinforcing the importance of supporting local shops and services throughout the year. For this reason, I encourage New Yorkers to search for that unique, one-of-a-kind item at your neighborhood shop and support your local community this holiday season.

William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.

OPINION: Americans More Hopeful on U.S. Direction After the Election

Opinion, Subscriber Only

But much work is left to do [A few] weeks after the election of President Donald J. Trump, which constituted the largest swell of popular support for a Republican candidate in 20 years — Americans are more hopeful about the future, but there is still work to be done to restore access to the American

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But much work is left to do

[A few] weeks after the election of President Donald J. Trump, which constituted the largest swell of popular support for a Republican candidate in 20 years — Americans are more hopeful about the future, but there is still work to be done to restore access to the American Dream.

According to YouGov survey data [from about three weeks after the election], compared to a survey taken the week before the election, the share of Americans saying the country is off on the wrong track has declined 7 percentage points — from 64 percent of Americans to 57 percent. Well over half the nation believing the United States is on the wrong track is not exactly a win, but it does say something that that number is the lowest it has been in many months.

Notable declines in the share of Americans saying the country is headed in the wrong direction include Hispanics, young people, and independents. The share of Hispanics saying the U.S. is off on the wrong track has declined 12 points over that period —from 62 percent to 50 percent. The share of independents saying the country is on the wrong track has declined 7 points — from 72 percent to 65 percent.

Young people appear particularly optimistic post-election, with the share of young people who say the U.S. is on the wrong track — declining 16 percentage points in less than a month, from 49 percent to 33 percent.

With Trump’s victory, his favorability has risen 4 points since before the election, and he now stands at a favorable rating of 48 percent and an unfavorable rating of 47 percent. Prior to the election, Trump’s favorable rating stood at 44 percent and his unfavorable rating stood at 54 percent.

Trump’s unfavorable rating among voters under 30 has dropped almost 20 percentage points in under a month, going from 59 percent to 40 percent. He now sits at a net favorable rating among young people of 12 points — 52 percent [favorable] to 40 percent [unfavorable].

Two-thirds of Americans (64 percent) still believe in the American Dream, according to another YouGov survey released [recently], but there are wide barriers to achieving it according to most voters.

When asked about barriers to attaining the American Dream, most Americans cited issues that have largely been brought about by government missteps, including a high cost of living (74 percent), corruption (55 percent), taxation (45 percent), and government itself (38 percent). Far fewer Americans said that capitalism was a barrier to achieving the American dream (21 percent).

Americans, especially young people, are increasingly optimistic about the direction of the nation since we appear to have shifted off a catastrophic track that included a Kamala Harris presidency. That said, voters are incredibly clear about the issues that have put the American Dream in jeopardy, and they are calling out the issues big government has created.

The U.S. was at the tail-end of a long, grueling decline, and the people’s choice on Nov. 5 has restored hope in many voters that the country can be restored before it is too late. That said, it will take dismantling corrupt government systems that limit potential, lowering taxes for the working-class, and focusing on America First economic policies like energy independence to lower the cost of basic necessities.

Manzanita Miller is the senior political analyst at Americans for Limited Government Foundation, the research arm of Americans for Limited Government, a libertarian political advocacy group. The organization conducts policy research and publishes reports with the goal of reducing the size of the government.

Ask Rusty: Confusion about IRMAA’s Impact on Taxes

Business Mentors

Dear Rusty: In a recent article about Medicare’s “income-related monthly adjustment amount” (IRMAA) and how IRMAA affects Social Security (SS) taxes, you described which income

Syracuse Community Health, OCC open Quick Care Clinic on OCC campus

New York News, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Education & Training, Featured, Health Care, Insurance & Financial Services, Nonprofits

ONONDAGA, N.Y. — Syracuse Community Health and Onondaga Community College (OCC) on Thursday formally opened the new Syracuse Community Health Quick Care Clinic on the

Greek Peak works with National Grid on snowmaking upgrades

Southern Tier, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Featured, New York News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Technology

VIRGIL, N.Y. — Greek Peak Mountain Resort should enjoy a longer winter-sports season thanks to a new energy-efficient snowmaking process from National Grid, implemented in

Town of DeWitt to accept contractor bids for Superfield of Dreams

Nonprofits, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

DeWITT, N.Y. — The Town of DeWitt is getting ready to accept contractor bids for construction of the Superfield of Dreams for Syracuse Challenger Baseball. The Superfield of Dreams is described as a “state-of-the-art, fully accessible sports facility that will be the largest of its kind on the East Coast,” per the organization’s announcement. It

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