ULYSSES — The Town of Ulysses in Tompkins County is the first town in the Southern Tier to earn the designation as a “clean-energy community.” The moniker recognizes its “leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy in its communities,” according to a NYSERDA news release. NYSERDA is the New York State […]
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ULYSSES — The Town of Ulysses in Tompkins County is the first town in the Southern Tier to earn the designation as a “clean-energy community.”
The moniker recognizes its “leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy in its communities,” according to a NYSERDA news release. NYSERDA is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
The announcement came more than four months after NYSERDA announced that Tompkins County was the first county in the Southern Tier to also earn the designation. In addition, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul recognized Binghamton as the first city in the Southern Tier to receive the label during her appearance at the Aug. 16 announcement of the winners in the 76West clean-energy competition.
Earning designation
The Town of Ulysses earned the designation for completing four of 10 “high-impact,” clean-energy actions that NYSERDA identified as part of the clean-energy communities initiative. Those actions included participation in a community-based Solarize Tompkins campaign to reduce solar-project costs through joint purchasing.
Ulysses also completed energy code-enforcement training on “best practices” in energy code enforcement for code-compliance officers and other municipal officials.
The community “streamlined” its local approval processes for solar projects through adoption of the New York State Unified Solar Permit.
Ulysses also “benchmarked” energy use of the town’s municipal buildings.
In addition, the designation gives the Town of Ulysses an opportunity to apply for up to $100,000 in funding toward additional clean-energy projects, “with no local cost share,” according to NYSERDA.
“Working toward clean-energy community designation emphasized the importance of collaboration, strong partnerships, and a willing staff,” Elizabeth Thomas, supervisor of the Town of Ulysses, said in the release. “As a small community with few resources, we found the support of the Clean Energy Community coordinator was immensely valuable in taking the time to guide us and provide answers to our questions. Our town is committed to reducing reliance on fossil fuels to help stem the causes of climate change by demonstrating that small municipalities can become clean-energy communities, too.”
How to earn it
NYSERDA listed additional clean-energy action items that communities can take to earn the designation.
They include performing energy-efficiency and renewable-energy upgrades to municipal buildings.
Communities can also convert streetlights to energy efficient LED (light-emitting diode) technology.
Municipalities can establish an Energize NY finance program that enables “long-term, affordable” property-assessed clean-energy financing for energy efficiency and renewable-energy projects at commercial buildings and nonprofits.
They can also earn climate-smart communities certification through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for developing a program to reduce their carbon footprint and improve the environment.
Communities can install electric-vehicle charging stations and use alternative-fuel vehicles, such as hybrid and electric cars, for municipal businesses.
Cities, counties, towns, and villages that complete at least four of 10 “high-impact,” clean-energy actions are designated clean-energy communities.
They are eligible to apply for funding of up to $250,000 with no local cost share with the option of receiving up to 25 percent paid in advance to support additional clean-energy projects.
Those with fewer than 40,000 residents are eligible to apply for up to $100,000 in funding.
At least two of the four actions must have been completed after Aug. 1, 2016.
NYSERDA is accepting applications for funding on a rolling basis through Sept. 30, 2019 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
Funds are provided through the clean-energy fund and the regional greenhouse-gas initiative, NYSERDA said.
About the program
Announced by Gov. Cuomo in August 2016, the $16 million clean-energy communities initiative supports local-government leaders statewide in their effort to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable-development projects in their communities.
Clean-energy communities advances Cuomo’s “Reforming the Energy Vision” initiative by “demonstrating the importance of local governments and communities in helping New York reach its clean-energy standard mandate requiring 50 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable-energy resources by 2030.”
