Innovation Trail

Energy security and investment: reporting focus March 18-22

editor — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:30:22 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo has set out an ambitious agenda for energy in New York state and he needs to.

Extreme weather events such as Superstorm Sandy have exposed the fragility of the state’s aging energy grid, new EPA regulations on greenhouse gases are driving fast-track conversions of former coal-fired plants, over 40 percent of New York’s power stations are more than four decades old and the Governor is caught in a major political vice over fracking.

Cuomo’s 2013-14 budget proposal also outlines some major investments in the renewable energy sector.

The Innovation Trail will focus its reporting on the state's energy planning and investment in the week of March 18-22. All the reports will be posted here.

Large Turnout for DEC Briefing on Hemlock and Canadice Lakes Forest Management Plan

Kate O'Connell, WXXI — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:05:03 +0000

There was a larger crowd than usual at a DEC public meeting in Springwater last night, with standing room only as the draft forest management plan for the Hemlock and Canadice lakes was presented.

The draft has spurred controversy over the past few weeks because it includes language about possible permits for hydraulic fracturing and drilling on the state forest land.

Regional director of the DEC, Paul D'Amato says the state has no intention of allowing drilling, but anti-fracking groups remain wary.

Health Commissioner Tells DEC: Fracking Review Needs More Time

Marie Cusick, WMHT and Karen DeWitt and Karen DeWitt — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:59:33 +0000

Department of Health Commissioner Nirav Shah sent a letter to Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens today, asking for more time to complete a review of the public health impacts of fracking.

This means that the DEC will miss tomorrow's deadline to complete its overall environmental review of fracking (known as the SGEIS), and the regulations it's written to govern the industry will expire at the end of the month.

This development could stall a final decision on fracking for months, but in a statement Martens says his agency will still be able to issue well permits if the health review concludes that the SGEIS is adequate.

Lake Ontario Northerly: lucky miss for some, opportunity for others

Ryan Delaney and Kate O'Connell and Matthew Leonard — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:29:47 +0000

Winds from Hurricane Sandy were stronger coming off Lake Ontario than in other parts of central New York. WRVO’s Ryan Delaney spent the morning along the lake in Cayuga County and reports folks are dealing with only minor damage.

Bob and Allyson Malo were out checking their neighbor’s cottages along Little Sodus Bay in Fair Haven.

Allyson, who spent the night in their home on the opposite side of the road, says the winds were strong for most of the night.

Need to Know Rochester: Legal Firms Prepare for Hydraulic Fracturing Decision

Matthew Leonard — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:03:01 +0000

Legal firms across New York State are preparing for a decision from Albany regarding hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale formation. Need to Know Rochester spoke with two attorneys from Nixon Peabody in Rochester.

http://youtu.be/SzdOj8OO8gA

In depth hydrofracking coverage from WXXI News and Innovation Trail

Juan Vazquez — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:16:39 +0000

As New York State inches closer to a decision on whether to allow hydrofracking, WXXI News and Innovation Trail is providing ongoing coverage of the hydrofracking debate.

Deposit at the Crossroads is an Innovation Trail radio documentary that highlights the economic and environmental struggle southern tier residents face as the State's decision draws near.

Need to Know Rochester: Arunas Chesonis

Julie Philipp — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:02:54 +0000

This week on Need to Know Rochester, we find out what former PAETEC CEO Arunas Chesonis has been up to since selling the company to Windstream a year ago. We'll have a one-on-one interview with Chesonis, as well as the leaders of several tech startup companies he is supporting. Chesonis says their ideas -- which include turning ordinary windows into solar panels, and sugar into plastic -- could change the world. Watch Need to Know Rochester, Friday at 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

http://youtu.be/UgmvLSkV9VQ

Epiphergy: How To Turn Leftovers Into Fuel

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:52:50 +0000

Listen

Rochester, NY – Critics of corn ethanol say it's wasteful at every step. But what if, instead of corn, you could make the biofuel from another American bumper crop: rotten food.

Company Town

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:26:11 +0000

Listen

Rochester, NY – Join us Mondays on Morning Edition for Company Town -- the stories behind the startups.

BarCamp Rochester: Eric Lee

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:23:53 +0000

Listen

Rochester, NY – The Innovation Trail rolled out its "Makers" listening booth at BarCamp Rochester this weekend. Here's Eric Lee talking about revamping old iMacs.