Orange County Choppers Goes Green

A cable television show called American Chopper has a terrific following on The Discovery Channel. If you've ever had the chance to view it, you know there's much enjoyment in observing the Teutul family's exploits as they convert motorcycles into works of art. Based in Orange County, N.Y., the show takes place at the family's store, Orange County Chopper.

This month, Orange County Chopper goes sustainable, unveiling a new $13 million, 92,000-square foot, green facility. The building houses offices, showrooms, a workshop, machinery space, and a production area that will be used to film the reality show. The company got financial aid for this project by taking advantage of the New York Energy $mart Loan Fund program, which provides a 4% interest rate reduction of their $1.5 million loan for energy efficiency improvements. This reduction was based upon a whole building analysis which was performed through the New York Energy $mart New Construction Program in order to identify opportunities to increase energy efficiency.

American Choppers is a widely popular show that is also a terrific vehicle to promote sustainable and energy efficient practices to a whole new group of viewers. The Teutul family, who own Orange County Choppers and are also the stars of the show, have taken advantage of lower cost loans by going green. Although the credit markets are very tight right now, this type of forward thinking is what it takes to get construction financing.

Of course, now that gasoline is hovering around $4.00 per gallon, it would also be terrific if part of the show could be devoted to converting motorcycles to alternative sources of fuel.

Jonathan A. Schein is president and CEO of ScheinMedia, a diversified media company whose holdings include New York House Magazine, New Jersey & Company and FlierWire.com. He offers insights into the philosophy and business of green in his weekly newsletter.

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