Wine, cheese and energy-saving ideas on event ‘menu’

“Wine, Cheese and Bob” is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m., at the Pound Ridge Library. The event is the first in a series of environmental sustainability events being produced this year by the FoPR Earth Day Everyday Initiative.

“We wanted to try an event with a more intimate setting. An event to encourage open discussion in a smaller group setting,” Mr. Boey said. Mr. Boey co-chairs the FoPR Earth Day Everyday Initiative with Melinda Avellino.

In the past, the program formats typically featured talks by speakers, followed by Q&A sessions and tables set up where the public can speak with representatives of local organizations, Mr. Boey said. The format for the Jan. 26 event will be “a first” for his organization, Mr. Boey said.

Mr. Boey shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, noting that “normally I am familiar with most of the registered guest list at our events. This time I know very few. It’s heartwarming and exciting to see the initiative gain new reach, and experience rapid growth with yet another sold-out event.”

The free event already has a waiting list, which can be found on the Earth Day Every Day Initiative website at earthdayeveryday.co.

The purpose of the event is to provide the public with ways to save energy and money while enjoying wine and cheese in a cocktail party atmosphere, Mr. Boey said.

The “Bob” referred to in the event title is Bob Fischman, Bedford 2030’s energy coach.

Mr. Fischman said this week that informing residents in Pound Ridge, Lewisboro, Bedford, and other local communities about the benefits of environmental sustainability is the focus of his career and his work on behalf of Bedford 2030.  

“Through the generous support of Bedford 2030,” Mr. Fischman said he coaches homeowners, tenants and local businesses on ways to reduce energy waste, save money and lower their carbon footprint. Professionally, he runs Sustainable Promise LLC, which is based in South Salem. Mr. Fischman, who resides in South Salem, stressed that by participating in sustainability programs, individuals can both save money and protect the environment. 

Mr. Fischman, who earned a Master of Science in sustainability management from Columbia University, formerly provided capital program management services on behalf of clients, including the Hertz Corporation and Morgan Stanley. In that role, he oversaw large projects such as the construction of high rises and university buildings and the renovation of Carnegie Hall. On a smaller local scale, he helped manage the construction for the additions and renovations in the Bedford and Katonah-Lewisboro school districts.

Bedford 2030 launched the Energy Coach Challenge in January 2022 to empower individual residents to create a sustainable, healthier home while also lowering their costs. In the Town of Bedford, buildings generate 50% of greenhouse gas emissions, making this sector a high priority action area for a sustainable future, according to Bedford 2030. Every house, building or apartment that switches to electrification and implements energy-saving steps positively affects the community in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the organization has observed.

Over the past year, Mr. Fischman has served as the Bedford 2030 free personal energy coach. He supported a series of local events, offered in English and Spanish, and offered guidance through free personal energy coaching sessions.

As of early December, Bedford 2030 said 137 residents signed up for energy coaching sessions in 2022, with 126 having completed them. While the numbers fell short of the organization’s annual goal of 150 consultations, officials said they were pleased by the concrete actions aimed at energy savings that many homeowners took after their meetings with Mr. Fischman. These steps included installing better insulated garage doors and new external doors, transitioning to heat pumps, reinsulating attic and rim joists, and installing new roof insulation and duct work. 

Mr. Fischman said there are a variety of sustainability programs available to the public, such as the NYSEG Clean Heat Pump Rebate Program and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority energy efficiency programs for its residents and businesses, which provide substantial financial incentives to those who reduce their carbon footprints.

Mr. Fischman also pointed to the federal Inflation Reduction Act as another vehicle for energy efficiency programs. Beginning this year, through the legislation, the federal government is providing tax credits for those who purchase new and used electric cars and who make energy efficient home improvements, such as installing insulation, heat pumps and solar panels. 

Mr. Fischman said he liked the format for the upcoming Pound Ridge event. “It gives people the chance to have an initial informal conversation,” he said. “They can then sign up for a free one-on-one energy coach session through Bedford 2030 at bedford2030.org/energy-coach,” he noted.