First Clean Energy Community Officially Designated

Ulster County Clean Energy Community highlights NYSERDA-led progress: EV charging stations, benchmarking of municipal buildings, climate-smart certification, and Energize NY finance driving emissions reductions, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable infrastructure.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), an NYSSGC member, announced that Ulster County completed the steps required to become a Clean Energy Community and will be eligible to apply for up to $250,000 toward additional clean energy projects across New York. Ulster County completed four high-impact clean energy actions: establishing an Energize NY finance program; installing nine electric vehicle charging stations; earning a Climate Smart Communities “Bronze” certification; and adopting benchmarking policies to track and report energy use in municipal buildings. To become a Clean Energy Community, cities, counties, towns, and villages must complete four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions, as renewable project contracts expand statewide;

1. Benchmarking - Adopt a policy to track progress and report the energy use of buildings.
2. Clean Energy Upgrades - Achieve 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
3. LED Street Lights - Convert street lights to energy efficient LED technology.
4. Clean Fleets - Install electric vehicle charging stations or deploy alternative fuel vehicles.
5. Solarize - Undertake a local solarize campaign to increase the number of solar installations on rooftops.
6. Energy Code Enforcement Training - Train compliance officers in energy code best practices.
7. Climate Smart Communities Certification - Get certified by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
8. Community Choice Aggregation - Put energy supply choices in your community’s hands, including rural communities across the region.
9. Energize New York Finance - Offer energy upgrade financing to businesses and non-profits.

Source: Smart Grid Consortium

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