The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Central New York Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) announced that Central New York communities have completed 242 high impact clean energy actions as part of NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities Program. This announcement complements Central NY Rising, the regional economic blueprint aimed at attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. 

Announced by Governor Cuomo in August 2016, the $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative supports local government leaders across the state by providing grants to eligible municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects in their communities. Clean Energy Communities advances the Governor's Reforming the Energy (REV) strategy by demonstrating the importance of local governments and communities in helping New York reach its Clean Energy Standard mandate requiring that 50 percent of the state's electricity come from renewable energy resources by 2030. 

Central New York is the first region in New York State to reach this milestone, with 108 municipalities participating in the Clean Energy Communities Program. Across the state, nearly 505 communities across the ten Regional Economic Development Council regions have completed more than 1,300 high impact actions through the program.

"Congratulations to Central New York's Clean Energy Communities for taking real action to make their neighborhoods cleaner, greener and more energy efficient," said Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA. "This announcement marks another important milestone in New York's efforts to deploy more renewable and efficient energy programs while reducing consumer energy costs under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, and demonstrates the impact individuals and municipalities can make by coming together to create a more sustainable future."

The Central New York municipalities that have earned the Clean Energy Communities designation include:

"We are proud to have assisted Central New York municipalities in completing 242 High Impact Actions through NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities Program," said Chris Carrick, Energy Program Manager of CNY RPDB. "By completing these actions, municipalities have reduced their energy use, saved money, and made Central New York sustainable."

Clean energy action items communities can take to achieve designation include: 

• Performing energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to municipal buildings.
• Implementing Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) so residents can gain greater choice and control over energy use a group.
• Earning Climate Smart Communities Certification through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for developing a comprehensive program to reduce its carbon footprint and improve the environment.
• Installing electric vehicle charging stations and using alternative fuel vehicles, such as electric cars, for municipal businesses.
• Establishing an Energize NY Finance Program that enables long-term, affordable Property Assessed Clean Energy financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at commercial buildings and not-for-profits.
• Undertaking a community-based Solarize campaign to reduce solar project costs through joint purchasing.
• Adopting a benchmarking policy to track and report the energy use of the City's municipal buildings.
• Converting streetlights to energy efficient LED technology.
• Streamlining local approval processes for solar projects through adoption of the New York State Unified Solar Permit.
• Completing energy code enforcement training on best practices in energy code enforcement for code compliance officers and other municipal officers.

Cities, counties, towns and villages that complete at least four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions are designated Clean Energy Communities and are eligible to apply for funding of up to $250,000 with no local cost share with the option of receiving up to 25 percent paid in advance to support additional clean energy projects. Those with fewer than 40,000 residents are eligible to apply for up to $100,000. At least two of the four actions must have been completed after August 1, 2016. NYSERDA is accepting applications for funding on a rolling basis through September 30, 2019 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Funds are being provided through the Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Once all funding is exhausted for large or small/medium categories in a region, local governments designated a Clean Energy Community are eligible to apply for a $5,000 grant, on a first-come, first-served basis until such funds are exhausted.

Clean Energy Community Coordinators are also available at no charge to help communities develop and prioritize clean energy goals; access easy-to-use resources such as guidance documents and case studies; and take advantage of available funding and technical assistance opportunities.  

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority | www.nyserda.ny.gov