More than 200 communities have earned clean energy community designation - four from Allegany County

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than 200 communities across the state have earned the Clean Energy Community designation, completing more than 1,250 total high-impact clean energy actions. The designation recognizes community leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy, all supporting the state's clean energy goals. The Clean Energy Community initiative advances the Governor's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy by demonstrating the importance of communities in helping New York achieve the state's goal to supply 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.

 

"New York is a national leader in combating climate change, and this significant milestone demonstrates that communities in every corner of this great state are committed to our efforts to create a more sustainable future," Governor Cuomo said. "These 200 communities serve as a model for cities and towns across this state and this nation to reduce energy use and preserve our environment for generations to come."

 

Announced by Governor Cuomo in August 2016, the $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative supports local governments across the state by providing grants to eligible municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects in their communities.

In Allegany County:

 

Town of Willing

3 High Impact Actions Have Been Completed, Including:

 -Unified Solar Permit

 -Energy Code Enforcement Training

 -Benchmarking

 

Town of Amity

1 High Impact Action Has Been Completed:

 -Energy Code Enforcement Training

 

Town of Rushford

 4 High Impact Actions Have Been Completed, Including:

 -Unified Solar Permit

 -Energy Code Enforcement Training

 -Clean Fleets

 -Benchmarking

 

Village of Cuba

1 High Impact Action Has Been Completed:

 -Benchmarking 

 

The 10 High Impact Actions local governments can to take to earn a Clean Energy Community designation and qualify to apply for grant funding include:  

• Benchmarking energy use at municipal and large privately-owned buildings;
• Performing energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to municipal buildings;
• Replacing street lights with energy-efficient LED lighting;
• Streamlining local approval processes for solar projects through adoption of the NYS Unified Solar Permit;
• Undertaking a community-based Solarize campaign to reduce solar project costs through joint purchasing;
• Providing energy code enforcement training to code officers;
• Earning Climate Smart Communities Certification by reducing the community's impact on the environment;
• Passing a local law to allow aggregation of residents to gain greater choice and control over energy use as a group (called Community Choice Aggregation);
• Installing electric vehicle charging stations and using alternative fuel vehicles, such as electric cars, for municipal business; and
• 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.