The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program helps local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate, while offering free technical assistance, grants, and other state and local opportunities. The CSC program is jointly sponsored by the following six New York State agencies: Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); Department of Public Service; Department of State; Department of Transportation; and Department of Health. The DEC serves as the lead agency and administrator of the program.

In may ways, the CSC program is a sister program to the CEC program. Both work with municipalities to complete actions to earn points and recognition. There are actions that overlap between programs and we encourage all communities interested in CEC to also participate in the CSC program.

The Southern Tier CEC Team has a designated staff person to help all communities in the region naviage the CSC program. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Jerry Sheng (js3724@cornell.edu), our Climate Smart Communities Coordinator for the Southern Tier.

Already part of the Clean energy Community program?

Check out this document for potential overlapping actions:

There are two levels of participation.

Registered communities have a commitment to act by passing the CSC pledge as a formal municipal resolution. Certified communities are the foremost climate leaders in the state; they have gone beyond the CSC pledge by completing and documenting a suite of actions that mitigate and adapt to climate change at the local level.. Communities can be certified Bronze or Silver.