Welcome to the Spring 2021 Edition of our Southern Tier Clean Energy Communities (CEC) quarterly newsletter!
The purpose of this newsletter is to keep municipalities, elected officials, and others in the counties of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins informed about the great work being performed in the Southern Tier to make our communities more sustainable and energy efficient. As coordinators, our focus is NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities initiative and other energy-related activities taking place throughout the region. We are available to assist you, your local government, and your community as you implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs, and improve the environment.
The Southern Tier region now has 41 officially designated Clean Energy Communities! Work continues with many other municipalities seeking designation and advice on energy usage. CEC coordinators are available to function as your municipality's energy advisor. If you have any questions regarding energy usage, or if you're interested in joining the movement towards becoming a Clean Energy Community, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Southern Tier CEC Team
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As some of you may already know, we are excited to welcome Rachel Zevin, our new Climate Smart Communities Coordinator for the Southern Tier. Rachel will be working with Terry Carroll and Todd Knobbe to help municipalities participate in the Climate Smart Communities program and will oversee a pilot program for volunteer Climate Stewards.
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Rachel comes from a background of environmental research and public service. Currently, she is completing master’s degrees in environmental science and public administration from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) and Syracuse University, respectively. Rachel has worked in government positions at the local, state, and federal level. She is skilled at geospatial analysis and data science. When the COVID-19 crisis hit, Rachel temporarily assisted California Department of Public Health’s management team organize and improve their data. After successfully helping them to coordinate their data needs, Rachel is happy to be back in New York and excited to help local communities navigate the Climate Smart Communities program. We are excited to have her as an addition to our team!
In addition to working with the CEC Team, Rachel enjoys hiking, gardening, knitting, and relaxing with her adorable dog, Fynn, and cat, Tigo.
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Congratulations to the Town of Richford for becoming Tioga County's first designated Clean Energy Community!
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The town has completed two benchmarking action: Benchmarking - Municipal Building and, new to the leadership round, Benchmarking - Advanced Reporting. The town has also completed the Unified Solar Permit action and converted all 36 of their street lights over to LEDs for completion of the LED Street Lights action.
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Since the town has completed 4 actions, they are now a designated Clean Energy Community and are eligible to apply for a one-time $5,000 designation grant. They also earned 1,200 points for completing actions and can work towards the 3,000 point threshold and become eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant.
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We are highlighting Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program for this editon's Action Spotlight. Rachel Zevin, our new Climate Smart Communities Coordinator, will be working with your CEC team to increase outreach, awareness, and capacity around the CSC program.
The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program was created to help local governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. Much like the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) program, this program has opportunities for leadership recognition, technical project assistance, and funding. In addition, there are multiple areas of overlap between the CSC program and the CEC program, and we encourage all communities to engage with both!
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In the CSC program, local governments can choose which actions complete from more than 120 individual actions centered on CSC pledge elements. Municipalities earn points depending on the amount and type of actions completed and can become certified “Bronze” and “Silver” at specific point goals.
Some of these actions can count for both the Climate Smart and Clean Energy Communities program. Examples include converting streetlights to LED or specific training for code enforcement officers. In addition to having overlapping actions, the CSC program itself is one of the 10 High Impact Actions local governments can complete to become a CEC.
The first step to becoming a certified CSC is to pass the CSC pledge as a municipal resolution to join the program and register via NY’s online portal. Is your community Interested in learning more about the CSC program? Contact us today!
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The Village of Montour Falls is our Spring CEC Leader!
They are the first community in the Southern Tier to reach the first point-based grant threshold of 3,000 points making them eligible for a $10,000 grant. They also are the first community in the Southern Tier to implement NY Stretch Code which, in addition to earning them 1,200 points, makes them eligible for a bonus $5,000 grant.
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Congratulations to our two new active communities!
The Town of Richford (Tioga County) and Town of Union (Broome County) are our newest communities to join the CEC program! The Town of Union is the second Southern Tier community to implement CCA - 100% renewable default supply. They have also completed the LED Street Lights action for their decorative street lights. The Town of Richford has completed 4 actions and become designated.
Congratulations to our three newest designated communities!
The Village of Canisteo (Steuben County), Town of Richford (Tioga County), and Village of Odessa (Schuyler County) are our newest designated communities! The Village of Canisteo and the Town of Richford both completed Benchmarking- Municipal Buildings, Benchmarking- Advanced Reporting , Unified Solar Permit, and LED Street Lights- Cobra Head Fixtures.Village of Odessa completed Benchmarking- Municipal Buildings, Benchmarking- Advanced Reporting, Unified Solar Permit, and Energy Code Enforcement Training.
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All designated communities are eligible for a one time designation grant of $5,000!
If your community is interested in participating in the CEC program or is currently participating, but not yet designated, contact us today!
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ZEV Rebate and Infrastructure Grant Application Period is Open
The Municipal ZEV Rebate (PDF) provides rebates to municipalities to purchase or lease (for at least 36 months) eligible new zero-emission vehicles for fleet use. A total of $300,000 is available. The Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grant Program (PDF) provides grants to municipalities to install hydrogen fuel filling station components and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for public use. A total of $2,500,000 is available.
Applications for both programs are found on the Grants Gateway under the opportunity name "2021 Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebates (Purchase or Lease)" OR "2021 Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Grants."
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FlexTech 100% cost sharing extended through June 2021
The FlexTech Program Addendum, which offers up to 100 percent study cost-sharing upon installation of measure(s) recommended through a NYSERDA-approved FlexTech study, has been updated and will now be available through June 30, 2021. READ MORE
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TCAT launches first-ever battery-electric buses with goal to go emission free by 2035
State and local dignitaries joined TCAT in the Ithaca Commons on Earth Day, Thurs., April 22, to celebrate the launch of its first-ever battery-electric buses — a major step for the agency in its aim to serve its riders with an all emission-free fleet within the next 14 years. READ MORE
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DEC Announces $650,000 in Grant Funding Now Available to Support Eligible Dam Repairs
Funding Available to Local Government and Non-Profit Owners of 'High Hazard' Dams for Pre-Construction Activities. READ MORE
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Maine-Endwell School District goes 100% solar
The Maine-Endwell School District will now generate 100% of its electricity from its solar energy project, saving the district millions in future costs.The school says it is expecting to see savings almost immediately. As of March 23, 2021, the system was fully activated and is currently the largest owned solar project owned by a school district in New York. READ MORE
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NYSERDA Battery Energy Storage Systems Webinars
Battery Energy Storage Systems 101
Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2021; Register Here
Description: Gain an introduction to key concepts and technologies associated with battery energy storage systems, as well as an overview of relevant New York State goals, policies and programs.
Battery Energy Storage Systems: Fire Safety
Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021; Register Here
Description: Learn about key fire safety considerations for battery energy storage systems, including a discussion of best practices for first responders, as well as a review of important regulations found in the 2020 NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
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NYStretch Energy Code Trainings for Residential Buildings now available
Residential NYStretch Energy Code training has been approved by Department of State for CEUs. The training is broken into two modules, both 90 minutes in length.
Module One Dates: May 13th, May 27th, June 10th, June 24th
Module One Register Here
Module Two Dates: May 13th, May 27th, June 10th, June 24th
Module Two Register Here
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What: Energy Chat Series
When: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 12:00pm
Where: Facebook Live; Go to https://www.facebook.com/CCEDelawareHE to view this online event.
This tenth event of the series will feature a discussion about Clean Energy Communities with Terry Carroll from CCE of Tompkins County.
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What: Climate Smart Communities Workshop: NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Program
When: 12:30-2:00 PM Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Where: Virtual, Register Here
View Agenda Here
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What:HeatSmart South Kickoff Event
When: May 18th, 2021; 6:30pm
HeatSmart FLX South is holding a Community Virtual Event – “Kick-Off Into Summer and Get Pumped!” to launch their program.
Pre-register at https://bit.ly/kickoff-event or call 607-535-7161 x3223.
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