PUSH against National Fuel incentive program

PUSH supporters rally against National Fuel's program

By Mike Gambini
and Ken Obstarczyk
Bengal News reporters
 West Side residents and PUSH Buffalo, People United for Sustainable Housing, are preparing for a final fight against a local utility.
 PUSH is tied up in a battle with National Fuel over the renewal of its Conservation Incentive Program, CIP.
 CIP is a set of conservation initiatives with four major components: appliance rebates, lowering usage for low-income customers, education and valuation. CIP was initiated in 2007 as a three-year program funded at $10.8 million annually. If the program were renewed, funding would be $10.09 million through a delivery modification charge.
 The formal review period for renewal of the CIP ends on Dec. 1. The New York State Public Service Commission will make its final decision on whether it plans to accept the extension of the CIP, or put it on hold for further review sometime after the review period ends.
 In a letter sent Sept. 2 to Public Service Commission chairman Garry A. Brown and PUSH executive director Aaron Bartley. National Fuel outlined a revision of the CIP in a letter.
 The new version includes more weatherization efforts in low-income neighborhoods and project contractors to be required to hire workers from high-poverty census tracts.
 PUSH members are upset because less than a third of the $10.09 million funding the CIP benefits low-income customers $2.94 million total.
 Bartley expressed his frustration with National Fuel’s approach.
 “We don’t even know where some of the resources are going right now,” Bartley said.
 “That’s a critical part of our proposal -- we need to see how these monies are being spent and what zip codes are getting them.”
 People involved in this issue think PUSH may have taken its cause a little too far.
 On Sept. 21, National Fuel obtained a temporary restraining order against PUSH citing “escalating illegal, unprofessional and harassing tactics to promote its narrow agenda against the company,” according to a press release.
 In the same press release, David A. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer for National Fuel, expressed the company’s position on the matter in a press release issued Sept. 21:
 “It is unfortunate that PUSH has driven its agenda to such an extreme as to lead us into court to seek protection for the company, its employees, customers and our facilities. Given the egregious conduct of PUSH, its leaders and members, we will not, under any circumstances, partner with PUSH, nor will we support organizations that do so.”
 PUSH attended a hearing in Albany on Sept. 28 where the Public Service Commission heard the organization’s stance on the CIP.
 New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, said he is trying to facilitate a dialogue between PUSH and National Fuel. Hoyt said a meeting with the Public Service Commission is a good place to start negotiations.
 “The (Public Service Commission) isn’t going to say, ‘Whatever you want PUSH,’ but I do think the fact that PUSH is getting an audience -- two hours with the commissioner, is promising,” Hoyt said.
 PUSH held a rally on Sept. 29 to discuss the commission hearing publicly. The rally included its members, community leaders and local politicians speaking out against National Fuel’s plans.
 During the rally, Hoyt said he would do what he can through Dec. 1, even suggesting legislation that would mandate these types of changes.
 Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera, called National Fuel “arrogant” and said “PUSH has done a great job not only on this issue but on many issues.”
 The two representatives were at the rally to support PUSH and the Buffalo residents.
 Even though the relationship between PUSH and National Fuel seems to be broken, Bartley said there is hope. “As the metaphor goes, you can repair fractures.”
 “But we’re not going away, this is too important to our neighborhoods and communities to see a strong conservation program and real resources being made available to deal with our high utility bills.”
 The Public Service Commission released a on Oct.1 announcing it is continuing to seek public comment on National Fuel’s petition to extend its CIP.
 Bartley is urging citizens to get involved.
 “We can win this fight as a community,” he said. “Call, write, e-mail, whatever you have to do to make your voice heard.”

Edited by Kevin Freiheit and Taylor Steinberg

Grant Street brings 'sweetness' to West Side

University at Buffalo students Ian Murray and Shiv Kotecha

By Jeffrey Heras
and Kevin Hoffman
Bengal News reporters
 In a city full of transplanted people the search for a home away from home can be never ending. As the smell of roasted coffee beans and breakfast foods fill the air, local patrons begin their morning sitting on retro chairs with eyes squinting at the gleaming lights.
 At the sight of entering Sweet_ness 7 Café on 220 Grant St., locals are mesmerized by the café’s antique look and “homey” atmosphere giving them a place to meet others and engage in stimulating conversations.
 “For me it is a home away from home,” Kelly Cornelius, 35, artist said. “ I can sit in my kitchen and make espresso alone or with my husband, but being here feels very relaxed. I can come here for as long as I want to and there is no rush.”
 There is a certain vibe at Sweet_ness 7 Café that is different from that of Café Aroma and Spot Coffee said Cornelius. A lot of artists and musicians are among the common faces in the café, she added.
 Sweet_ness 7 Café, you can also find the common college student occupying its retro tables.
 “To me it’s a coffee shop with plenty of seating room, offering a laid back feel. You can get in your own world and work on your own stuff while also being in a public place. University at Buffalo student Ian Murray said. “The wood everywhere adds to the atmosphere, as it doesn’t feel like a Starbuck’s or corporate place.”
 As the West Side expands and rejuvenates itself, Sweet_ness 7 Café has become a central meeting place for many community activists and leaders to discuss ways to further improve the neighborhood.
 “A lot of people that come in here are community activists or really involved in Buffalo,” said Kate Weidner, 24, café barista from Buffalo.
 Weidner further added that many West Side non-profit organizations like, Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo and People United for Sustainable Housing use the café as their meeting grounds, making this place a special gem of trafficking ideas for the future.
 Weidner shines light on Prish Moran, owner of Sweet_ness 7 Café and her motives of opening it.
 “She opened this place with no expectations, just for friends to come hang out and it just blew-up,” Weidner said. “She doesn’t advertise, it’s all word of mouth, it’s all community oriented.”
 Moran was able to furnish and build her café with the help of Buffalo ReUse, a non-profit organization that aims to take used building materials or furniture and restore it or use it for other construction projects throughout the West Side, giving her the opportunity to win a restoration award for collaborating with the organization.
 Weidner also said that there are plans of opening another Sweet_ness 7 Café on Parkside Avenue across from the Buffalo Zoo in the coming months, adding another “home away from home” in Buffalo.

Edited by Kevin Freiheit and Taylor Steinberg