Town earns Clean Energy Community designation

By Linda Smith Hancharick
WARWICK — The Town of Warwick can add “Clean Energy Community” to its list of environmental accomplishments.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recognized the town’s leadership for its reduction of energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally.
Warwick received the designation for completing four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions identified by NYSERDA as part of the Clean Energy Communities initiative.
The designation gives the town an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 toward additional clean energy projects, with no local cost share.
“I am proud the town continues in its efforts to promote and encourage the use of sustainable energy within our community,” said Supervisor Michael Sweeton. “We have been leaders here in Orange County and will continue with projects like adding more vehicle charging stations and the potential purchase of our municipal streetlights with conversion to LEDs.”
About the initiativeAnnounced by Gov. Andrew 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 Reforming the Energy (REV), helping New York reach its Clean Energy Standard mandate of having half of the state’s electricity coming from renewable energy resources by 2030.
To earn the Clean Energy Community designation, the town completed the following actions:
• Participated in a community-based solarize campaign to reduce solar project costs through joint purchasing.
• Streamlined the local approval processes for solar projects through adoption of the New York State Unified Solar Permit.
• Adopted a benchmarking policy to track and report the energy use of the town’s municipal buildings.
• Completed energy code enforcement training on best practices in energy code enforcement for the town’s Building Department.
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 and the option of receiving up to 25 percent paid in advance to support additional clean energy projects.
Additional 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 as 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 business.
• 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.
• Converting streetlights to energy efficient LED technology.
For more information on Clean Energy Communities, visit www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec.