Local governments can undertake community campaign to increase access to clean energy in the jurisdiction through group purchasing, locally-organized community education and outreach, and a limited time offer. Communities can receive credit for Community Solar, Clean Heating and Cooling, and Electric Vehicle Campaigns.
Learn more below and reach out to your CEC Coordinator to get started.
Community-scale campaigns can be an effective way to encourage adoption of new, innovative technologies to generate value and savings for consumers while advancing state and local clean energy goals. Campaigns are typically short-term, local efforts that bring together groups of potential customers through widespread outreach and education. Well-organized campaigns are a great way to be active and visible in the community. Campaigns will primarily be initiated and supported by the municipality however, they can also be supported by local volunteers and other parties.
Municipalities that have completed Community Campaigns for Tiers (previously referred to as Achievement Level) 2 or 3 in any of the categories below must submit projects, subscriptions, or purchases that have been completed after June 1, 2023. Municipalities that have previously received a Community Campaign Tier 1 award are not eligible for an additional Tier 1 award.
Municipalities may complete any of the following campaign types, but no more than one campaign per campaign type Tier, to earn credit for this action. While a single campaign may cover more than one technology, municipalities should submit documentation separately under each campaign type. The tiers and associated points for this action are cumulative and based on tier level accomplishment and must be submitted consecutively based on tier level of achievement.
NYSERDA strongly encourages partnerships with Regional Clean Energy Hubs on campaigns.
To earn credit for this action, each campaign must complete the following steps:
Step 1 – During the planning phase of the campaign, the applying jurisdiction must submit a completed NYSERDA Scoping Document. NYSERDA will then review the scoping document and provide notification by email if the campaign may proceed.
Submit a completed Community Campaigns Scoping Document which is available in the Community Campaigns toolkit at www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec.
Step 2 – Once the campaign is complete, the applying jurisdiction must submit the following:
Submit documentation to demonstrate direct municipal participation in a campaign. Documentation should be dated and include the name of the applying jurisdiction, and may consist of one or more of the following: a press release, a flyer from an event hosted by the jurisdiction, a website screenshot, a local press article, a certified resolution, or comparable information. Date of completion is when the scoping document is submitted.
Submit a completed Community Campaigns Certification Form which is available in the Community Campaigns toolkit at www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec.
Customers/participants must reside within the boundaries of the applying jurisdiction.
Date of completion for this action is defined as the date on which NYSERDA approved the scoping document.
Community Campaign for Community Solar
200 – 1,000 Points
Commonly referred to as Community Solar, Community Distributed Generation (CDG) is a renewable energy project that will typically offer guaranteed cost savings to subscribers. The local government enters partnerships with regional CDG projects and promotes Community Solar subscriptions to their constituents. CDG projects may include solar, wind, or hydro facilities. CDG subscription related to the applying jurisdiction’s municipal electric accounts are not eligible to be counted as a customer. Community Solar providers must be listed on the NYS Power to Choose Distributed Energy Resources (DER) list at http://documents.dps.ny.gov/PTC/der.
Community Campaign for Electric Vehicles (EVs)
200-1,000 points
Electric vehicles can provide a substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The municipality along with partner organizations and volunteers initiate and develop partnerships with car dealerships, platform providers, and/or other EV industry partners to offer local residents and businesses a variety of makes and models of electric vehicles. The offer may be promoted through ride and drive events and other outreach efforts. Vehicles must be new and purchased to qualify.
Municipalities can use the Electric Vehicle Registration Map to track electric vehicle registrations in their community.
For the purposes of this High Impact Action, the municipality may not be counted as a customer; EVs purchased by the applying jurisdiction are not eligible to be counted. Municipalities interested in purchasing EVs should refer to Transportation HIAs.
Community Campaign for Clean Heating and Cooling
500-1,800 points
The aim of Clean Heating and Cooling is to efficiently use electrical energy to replace other forms of energy such as fossil fuels. The municipality along with partner organizations can help educate residents in the region. NYSERDA strongly encourages partnerships with Regional Clean Energy Hubs on Clean Heating and Cooling campaigns. The municipality can organize a structured campaign to encourage the adoption of clean heating and cooling technologies (e.g., ground- and air- source heat pump systems and heat pump water heaters) to heat and cool homes, businesses, and community institutions. Campaign project submittals must be clean heating or cooling technologies. For the purpose of this High Impact Action item, the municipality may not be considered a customer; installations in the applying jurisdiction’s municipal buildings are not eligible to be counted.
