New Program Provides Rewards For Clean Energy Actions By Communities
By Todd Fabozzi / Director of Sustainability, CDRPC, todd@cdrpc.org
Welcome to the first edition of our Clean Energy Communities newsletter.
I'm Todd Fabozzi, Director of Sustainability for the Capital District Regional Planning Commission and Director of the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Program for the Eastern New York Territory. CDRPC is a regional planning and resource center serving the upstate New York counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady since 1967. We are honored to be the recipient of a NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program grant to serve as the manager of the Eastern Upstate New York Territory.
High-Impact Clean Energy Actions in Our Communities
In each edition of this e-newsletter, we'll focus on two communities that are working on energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability. This time, our spotlight is on Cooperstown and New Rochelle.
Cooperstown is a small village making a big impact. For Lou Allstadt, a trustee and climate activist who calls the Otsego County village of 2,000 home, a point of pride is that the municipality has made the business case for energy efficiency. As one of New York State's 190 Climate Smart Communities, the Village has taken a host of actions toward sustainability, and is now deciding how to translate these accomplishments into Clean Energy Communities High Impact Actions.
"We've been very careful to ensure that the energy saving projects we undertakehave both cost savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions", says Allstadt, a former Mobil Oil executive.
Municipal Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and Infrastructure Rebate Program Now Open
Three million dollars are available from the New York State Department of Environment Conservation through Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund for rebates for the purchase or lease (for at least 36 months) of eligible clean vehicles, and for installation of eligible infrastructure which supports public use of clean vehicles. The primary purpose of a rebate-eligible facility must be the charging or fueling of clean vehicles by the public. Vehicles must be purchased or leased from a dealership located within New York State.
The 2016 Request for Applications for the Municipal ZEV and ZEV Infrastructure Rebate Program is available through the
NYS Grants Gateway. Applications for this round will be accepted until funds are exhausted, or through March 31, 2017, whichever comes first. Application instructions can be found
HERE.
Grant categories and rebate limits are as follows:
