The Town of North Hempstead has officially been deemed a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, according to town officials.
The town received the distinction for the completion of four “high-impact, clean-energy actions” identified by the organization as part of the Clean Energy Communities initiative. These actions included the use of alternative fuel vehicles for municipal business, reducing costs for solar projects throughout the town, participating and completing energy code enforcement training, and adopting a benchmarking policy to track the use of energy throughout municipal buildings.
“We appreciate NYSERDA recognizing the Town’s efforts in being a leader in clean energy – resiliency and sustainability are cornerstones of this administration,” Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said. “The Town is committed to green initiatives and finding ways to reduce its carbon footprint to create a better environment for future generations.”
The $16 million initiative was initially introduced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August 2016 as a way to encourage municipalities to implement energy-efficient developmental projects throughout their communities. The organization provides local municipalities throughout the state with grants to eligible municipalities to aid in rolling out the projects.
Under the initiative, municipalities that complete a minimum of four of the ten environmentally-progressive actions required, they are eligible to apply for funding upwards of $250,000 to help finance additional clean-energy projects going forward.
“Congratulations to the Town of North Hempstead on this important accomplishment and for its commitment to a cleaner and healthier future for its residents,” Brad Tito, the organization’s program manager said. “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York has made it a priority to support communities seeking to become more sustainable while helping drive progress toward reducing harmful emissions and lowering energy costs for New York families.”
The initiative is an extension of the Green New Deal, which Cuomo also implemented, which puts New York on a path to a carbon-neutral economy and the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Officials called the act “the most aggressive climate change program in the nation”. The act helpes communities throughout the state further understand the impact and importance of helping in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. According to officials, New York’s goal is to reduce emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050, and a carbon-free electricity sector by 2050.
Additional acts that the town can explore going forward include performing renewable energy and energy-efficient upgrades throughout municipally-owned buildings, converting streetlights into LED lights, streamlining the approval process for solar projects, and establishing a finance program that promotes the use of renewable energy throughout commercial buildings.
