March Madness Meetings

Learn about NYS Clean Energy Communities (CEC), Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), and the NYS Energy Stretch Code at our March Madness series kicking off this Thursday, the 11^th, then again on the 18^th and 25^th from 5:30 to 6:30. NYS awards municipalities that work to clean their energy needs in the form of direct, unencumbered monies and grants through the Climate Smart Communities program. Free but registration is necessary. Learn more HERE.

NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Program

Learn how to become a NYS designated Clean Energy Community (CEC) and the potential to receive funding for simply taking important, environmentally sustainable actions through NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program.  

Go to HudsonValleyRegionalCouncil.org/events to watch a video presentation or click HERE for additional details. 

Watch Orange County Q & A Webinars:

Overview of the CEC - March 11, 2021

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) - March 18, 2021

New York State Energy Stretch Code - March 25, 2021

Community Preservation Act Webinar 

Orange County Planning Department hosted a webinar on the Community Preservation Act on October 1, 2020.   The webinar discussed preserving open space and farmland, maintaining healthy drinking water sources, protecting historic and cultural sites throughout Orange County and how you and elected officials can save these life sustaining parcels from overdevelopment.   To watch the webinar, click here.

For more information about the Community Preservation Act, please contact Kate Schmidt at 845-615-3858 or KSchmidt@OrangeCountyGov.com 

See additional details HERE 

 Certified Climate Smart Community

The New York State Climate Smart Communities Certification program represents the next phase in the development of New York's Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program.

C-PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy)

Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE) provides financing to property owners in participating municipal member jurisdictions throughout New York State.     

Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Leadership Round

The Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) is pleased to invite you to an informational webinar on the launch of the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Program Leadership Round.  First launched in 2016, the CEC Program is an ambitious community-driven initiative. With free technical assistance provided by HVRC’s CEC Coordinators, 43 communities in the Mid-Hudson Region became Designated Clean Energy Communities and were awarded match-free grants for clean energy projects.  The 2021  CEC Leadership Round offers previous CEC participants and new communities an opportunity for free technical support to complete a series of CEC High Impact Actions (HIA). The Leadership Round offers new HIAs for engaging with your constituents and community as well as innovative toolkits and paths toward grant awards.  Grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• 24 High Impact Actions and Sub-Actions

• Designation Grants:  $5,000 for new designated communities

• Point-Based Grants:  up to $250,o00 for large communities and up to $100,000 for smaller communities

• Action Grants:  up to $50,000 for NYStretch and up to $60,000 for Community Campaigns

• Bonus Funding:  for certain CEC-funded projects in disadvantaged communities

 Please join us for one of the below one-hour informational webinars on Tuesday February 9, 2021, to learn more about the CEC Leadership Round.  The webinars will include a question and answer session.

• Join the 12:00 pm afternoon webinar with the below information.
  • Computer, tablet or smartphone:  https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/981327245 
  • Phone:  (872) 240-3212
  • Access Code: 981-327-245
  • If you are new to GoToMeeting, get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/981327245.
• Join the 6:30 pm evening webinar with the below information.
  • Computer, tablet or smartphone:  https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/808060725
  • Phone:  (646) 749-3112
  • Access Code:  808-060-725
  • If you are new to GoToMeeting, get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/808060725.
• For support installing GoToMeeting, please contact Chana Friedenberg at cfriedenberg@hudsonvalleyrc.org.

Please feel free to reach out to HVRC’s CEC Coordinator Carla Castillo for support with the CEC Leadership Round.  She can be reached at ccastillo@hudsonvalleyrc.org, or schedule a technical support meeting directly through Calendly.

HVRC’s CEC Coordinators look forward to supporting your community’s pursuit of clean energy and climate smart actions that will reduce your energy use, energy costs, and to help your community become more resilient.

NYStretch Energy Code

Learn how the adoption of the NYStretch Code can reduce energy costs by approximately 11%, improve public health, and meet climate and clean energy goals. This recent webinar provides valuable municipal perspectives on the adoption of NYStretch from the Village of Hastings on Hudson and the City of Beacon, along with a practical workshop and technical inputs from NYStretch Code experts.  NYStretch Circuit Riders are available to further discuss adoption of the NYStretch Energy Code, what adoption entails, how NYStretch differs from NYS’s current code, and to answer any other questions you may have.  Contact NYSERDA NY Stretch representative Margo Thompson at MThompson@newportventures.net

HeatSmart Orange County

HeatSmart Orange is a state-supported community campaign that makes it easier for you to increase your home or business’ energy efficiency and lower your energy bills by weatherizing and installing clean heating and cooling technologies. These technologies include air-source heat pumps and geothermal, which transfer heat in and out of buildings to provide heating and cooling in one system. They’re not unlike air conditioners that can run in reverse and provide you heat from the air or ground—even when it’s below zero outside!  While the official campaign has concluded, our office is here to help you learn about the benefits of air and ground-source heating/cooling pumps. Additional Information on HeatSmart Orange County

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan             

The Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan sets out a vision for sustainable development that builds on our Region’s unique social, cultural, and natural history, with the goal of promoting economic development, environmental sustainability, and enhancing quality of life for the more than two million residents that call our Region home.       

Energize NY                 

The Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC) of New York, a New York Local Development Corporation, has established a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE) to provide financing to property owners in participating municipal member jurisdictions throughout New York State. 

Climate Change             

View the climate adaptation strategy for Orange County. 

Open Space Plan              

View the Open Space Plan for Orange County. 

Resources      

View environmental and sustainability resources. 

Solar Information             

Learn about solar power from the resources provided. 

Solar Farming                

Recent events - including government incentives and policies - have attracted property owners, farm businesses, local governments, utility companies, and solar installers to pursue solar as a core element of local energy production.

Community Solar              

Solarize is an innovative, successful program that makes it easier and more affordable for homes and small businesses to go solar through community-wide education, pre-qualified installation partners and group purchasing discounts.