July forum: Biofuels

Join GreenHomeNYC and METRO Biofuels as we discuss biofuel in buildings and vehicles – including, how to convert to biodiesel, what makes it an efficient resource and what tax credits are available. The largest biofuels plant in the country, METRO Biofuels, is putting a dent in carbon emissions and decreasing sulfur and particulate matter in our atmosphere, right here in NYC. How? With biofuels, made from vegetable oil, plant oil and restaurant grease. This alternative fuel is readily available for residential and commercial use. We’ll discuss this and more at the forum.

• Wednesday, July 21, 2010 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• Hafele Showroom 25 East 26th Street, Manhattan, NY
• Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.
• Please RSVP below. AIA/CES credit available here.

Our speakers include:

• Catherine Barton, Principal, The Pinwheel Group Inc.
• Paul Miller, President, 308 E 79th Street Cooperative Board
• Gene Pullo, CEO, METRO Biofuels

Speakers Gene V. Pullo is the principal owner of METRO, a Brooklyn-based group of energy and fuel oil companies that date back to 1942 when Gene’s grandmother, Pauline Pullo, envisioned the growing commercialization of oil heat, a cleaner alternative to coal. METRO, which is located on the Newtown Creek in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, has grown from a small retail heating oil business into one of the New York Metropolitan Area’s largest family-owned heating oil, natural gas, diesel and gasoline terminals that employs more than 150 people. Gene and his brother Paul currently operate the company. In 2006, recognizing the need for greater national energy independence and a human obligation to improve the environment, METRO once again invested in the next great heating and transportation fuel alternative – biodiesel – and METRO Biofuels was born. METRO Biofuels became one of the first U.S. marketers to achieve BQ-9000 certification. Encouraged by its success, in 2006, METRO began planning a 110-million-gallon capacity biodiesel processing facility adjacent to its Brooklyn terminal. METRO’s processing facility, which is currently in the late stages of construction and is expected to open in First Quarter 2011, will create nearly 60 green collar jobs in New York State. It will have the capability to process biodiesel from a variety of sustainable “feedstocks” including recycled restaurant grease, domestically produced soy, canola, biomass and algae. Mr. Pullo was born and raised in Brooklyn. He is active in numerous charitable organizations including City Harvest, and the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. He resides on the East Side of Manhattan with his wife Deborah and daughter Geena. Catherine Barton always finds ways to innovate. She founded NYIRN′s “Spec It Green” educational series in 2006, which was conceived to help building professionals gain knowledge about high-performance building designations, strategies, and challenges. She also helps others stay current by applying her skills on two Advisory Boards, Green Depot and CUNY Laguardia’s design incubator, NYDesigns. Catherine Barton’s training as an architect has informed her work with both manufacturers and product development professionals since 1985. For over 20 years Catherine has fostered innovation, guiding her clients in creating rational and sustainable business models while promoting their unique offerings to be reflected in their products. In 2002, Catherine formalized her consultancy and named it Pinwheel Studio Inc. The studio has earned accolades both from B-B and B-C initiatives for its outstanding client service model and innovative approach to market segment development. Before corporate social responsibility was popular, Catherine infused all her projects with an awareness of the triple bottom line model: People, Planet and Prosperity, ensuring that her clients could participate in the world of sustainability. In the spring of 2009, Catherine joined forces with Paul Miller to form The Pinwheel Group Inc. Propelling success by focusing on the future for our clients is Pinwheel’s mission and we like to describe our practice as sustainability consultants with all the skills of a traditional branding and marketing company. Paul D. Miller, Partner – The Pinwheel Group, Inc. is an award-winning designer known for his skill and vision in creating corporate and brand identities and merchandising environments. Mr. Miller has conceived and executed a variety of successful programs for major multinationals, domestic corporations and not-for-profit organizations, including Rosenthal China, Gillette, Godiva, Masterfoods, NutraSweet, Clairol, Kodak, Revlon, Unilever, Electrolux, Wilson Sporting Goods and ISLAND Architectural Woodwork, ITAC, NYIRN and Spec It Green. He has been on all sides of the desk: design & marketing consultant, corporate management, R&D and manufacturing. Prior to becoming a principal with The Pinwheel Group, Paul was with Southwood Industries, a Visual Merchandising Company, and a Strategic Partner of International Paper as EVP Marketing & Design, he was VP Creative Director of DIAM International and served as Design Director of the GAF Corporation Worldwide.