GridRewards
With spring now here, it's time to consider participating in GridRewards to lower your
summer energy costs. GridRewards is a demand response program accessible by a free
app downloaded to your phone or computer. The program offers ConEdison customers the
opportunity to see details of their energy usage and learn how they can change behaviors to
lower carbon emissions and save energy and money.*
GridRewards pays cash to participants who reduce their energy usage during demand
response events in the summer. These events occur when the electricity grid usage is at its
highest, typically during heat waves when most of the county runs air conditioning units and
fans to combat the heat. Reducing the stress on the electricity grid helps prevent blackouts
and limits the county's need for pollution-generating fossil fuel power plants.
How to Participate in GridRewards Demand Response Events: The app sends an alert
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Hello from Sustainable Westchester!
Hello from Sustainable Westchester and Happy Spring! We hope you had a safe and
comfortable winter. Sustainable Westchester has been busy in 2023 updating our programs,
developing new offerings, and holding our Annual Members Meeting. In this newsletter, you'll
read about the GridRewards sign-up season, The Climate Act's Action Plan, the first fully
electric airplane landing at our County airport, staff updates, and more.
via email and a notification to the user's mobile device, letting them know the time and date
of the upcoming event. It provides recommendations for reducing energy usage during the
event (for example, pre-cooling the home and shutting off air conditioning systems for a few
hours). After the event, the app provides updates on how the household performed.
The information is easily accessible on the app, and participants can make small, impactful
changes in their energy usage while saving money and earning cash from participation.
Residents, municipalities, and commercial businesses can all participate for significant
savings.
Enrolling before March 31 makes you eligible for earnings for participating in all five
months of the 2023 GridRewards season, from May 1 to September 30. You can sign up
anytime during the season, but you maximize your earning potential if you sign up by March
31. During this sign-up period, GridRewards also provides a referral code for $10 per
additional sign-up that uses the code. If someone uses your referral code to sign up, you will
each receive the $10 referral bonus. Payment for participation is sent to customers by check
or PayPal at the end of the calendar year.
Commercial properties can also use GridRewards to earn cash and reduce pollution.
Any commercial, nonprofit, or multifamily property that pays a ConEdison electricity bill can
participate.
If you are a commercial property developer, owner, or industry professional interested in
GridRewards for your building(s), email Rachel Carpitella at
rachel@sustainablewestchester.org to set up a consultation and energy analysis.
If you are part of a community-based organization interested in promoting GridRewards to
your community members, contact Lauren Brois at lauren@sustainablewestchester.org for
more information and materials.
Download the GridRewards app to reduce harmful pollution and earn cash.
*New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) customers will be able to enroll in
GridRewards later this year, after the Smart Meters are installed. To be notified when
GridRewards is available in your area, please fill out this form. When the Demand Response
program is enabled in your utility territory, Sustainable Westchester will email you the
GridRewards enrollment instructions.
Testimonials from 2022 season
GridRewards participants:
“The GridRewards events this summer were
great. I used them as an educational
opportunity for my 4-year-old son, and we
had fun going around the house determining
all the ways we could save energy (turn off
that power strip! unplug the smartTV! unplug
Alexa!). And it paid off! We received a $160
check that my son added to his new bank
account. We can't wait to participate again
this summer.” Michelle, Westchester County
resident
“We turned our central air thermostats up a
few degrees to 80 degrees and did not run
the dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer
until later at night. It was easy!” Leo,
Westchester County resident
Annual Members Meeting
Sustainable Westchester is a nonprofit organization made up of a consortium of member
municipalities. The Annual Members Meeting is a highlight event for Sustainable
Westchester that begins the year with a brief reflection on where we've been and where we
are going, and profiles new developments expected in the upcoming year. The 2023 meeting
took place on February 15th over Zoom. Sustainable Westchester's member municipalities
voted two new Board Members to the Board of Directors, and the Sustainable Westchester
staff gave a comprehensive presentation on the organization's work from the past year,
looking ahead to new projects with the Climate Act as our compass. Learn more about the
Climate Act below.
The full video recording of the Members Meeting is available to watch here. A readable copy
of the presentation can be found here.
Bridget Gibbons is the Director of Economic Development for Westchester County.
Gibbons heads the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and
Westchester County Local Development Corporation (LDC). Read her full bio here.
Dane Warren is an Associate at Sive, Paget, & Riesel P.C., focusing on environmental and
land use litigation, environmental review of development projects, and regulatory compliance
counseling. Read his full bio here.
Several of Sustainable Westchester's Board Members have reached the end of their terms,
and we extend a heartfelt thank you to these individuals for their years of dedication to the
organization: Dan Chorost, Dana Levenberg, Peter McCartt, and Laura Rossi.
Sustainable Westchester Welcomes Two New
Board Members
DONATE
Thank you for your time and interest in reading about our organization. If you want to
become a Sustainable Westchester supporter, click the donation button below to visit our
online form.
Because of a generous contribution from a key supporter, a donor match now doubles any
contribution you make. Every dollar counts! We greatly appreciate your support in achieving
a greener, more just, and more resilient County.
Your support directly impacts:
-Organizational Programming Infrastructure
-Expansion of Existing Programs
-Community Outreach Initiatives
Checks can be made payable to Sustainable Westchester and mailed to:
Sustainable Westchester
Care of Operations,
40 Green Street
Mt Kisco, NY 10549
Sustainable Westchester is a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations
are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in
exchange for your contribution.
Engaging our Communities:
Lauren Kroell, Community
Energy Advisor
Lauren Kroell began working at Sustainable
Westchester as a Clean Energy Associate
with the EnergySmart Homes program in the
fall of 2022. In January 2023, she joined the
full-time staff as a Community Energy
Advisor for Westchester County, a part of
the Mid-Hudson Hub under the New York
State Energy Research and Development
Authority's (NYSERDA) Regional Clean
Energy Hubs Program. Lauren is a
University of Toronto graduate with dual
Bachelor of Arts degrees in International
Relations and Environmental Studies.
New York State's Climate Act Plan, Finalized
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) was passed into law in
2019. The law holds New York State accountable for meeting goals of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions (a goal of "net-zero" emissions) and increasing renewable energy sources
while ensuring climate justice for all communities.
Since 2019, a state-designated Climate Action Council of experts and stakeholders has
developed a comprehensive action plan across all economic sectors to meet the Climate
Act's goals.
The Climate Action Council has worked through several versions of a scoping document
over the past few years. At the beginning of January 2023, the Council delivered a finalized
plan to the Governor and State Legislature. The document is comprehensive but is still a
working document as the state moves forward with implementing new policies.
As an intern at Sustainable Westchester, Lauren assisted homeowners with navigating the
possibilities for upgrading energy systems in their homes and supported community-led
clean heating and cooling campaigns around the county. She extensively researched the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). She learned about the possibilities and accessibility the
programs could offer for residential home energy efficiency improvements and delivering
rebates for energy savings. In particular, the High-Efficiency Electric Homes Rebate Act
(HEEHRA) within the IRA focuses on point-of-sale rebates for low-to-moderate-income
households that could open doors for individuals to pursue upgrades. Lauren said this
project trained her to know the right questions to ask to pinpoint the appropriate programs for
the individual: questions about eligibility, income guidelines, house type, etc., and she refers
to this extensive research in her new role.
Lauren described her internship experience. "I'm grateful to have had an internship
experience that was not only engaging but genuinely impactful and coupled with genuine
opportunities for personal growth."
As the Community Energy Advisor, Lauren has already hit the ground running at food
pantry tabling events where she can speak directly with members of the communities about
their home energy concerns. Topics include structural integrity concerns in the home,
approaches to financial investment, and how to handle necessary upgrades as a rental
property resident with landlords.
Lauren is passionate about community-focused action. Sometimes the information on clean
energy upgrades is not widely available to audiences who would benefit from rebate
programs. Lauren has said, "Building trust is paramount in speaking with community
members, as is approachability and effective communication. We must raise awareness of
environmental, financial, and health issues and outline the options to move forward."
Lauren highlighted that our focus needs to be meeting communities where they are now,
understanding their values, and hearing their needs and concerns firsthand. She explained
that her studies in international relations gave her a global perspective on how communities
work together, and her current work is a new experience in how community action works.
This work connects with individual people and results in a greater sense of achievement
when focusing on the specific needs of a community and tailoring solutions to their needs.
Lauren is fielding many calls with inquiries about tax credits, the IRA, and NYSERDA
program offerings. "I think people of all income brackets are really surprised that they have
these financial supports if they make home energy improvements," she said.
Sustainable Westchester is grateful for the kindness, energy, and keen analytical skill set
Lauren brings to the team.
Reach out to Lauren Kroell at laurenk@sustainablewestchester.org if you're interested in
learning more about how you can make your home more energy-efficient.
Read more about Sustainable Westchester’s Intern Alumni and our internship program.
The plan provides recommendations for individual sectors and the overall economy. The
intended changes must occur concurrently and in multiple areas: regulatory and legal,
shifting consumer behavior, and the accessibility and application of new and emerging
technologies. The Climate Act specifically allocates resources to communities that the effects
of climate change have disproportionately impacted.
Top-line goals include:
Investing in the economy to meet decarbonization goals by 2050 across all sectors:
Transportation, Buildings, Electricity, Industry, Agriculture, Forestry, and Waste
Installing electrified heat pumps in 1-2 million homes by 2030
Converting three million zero-emission vehicles to the road by 2030
Creating hundreds of thousands of jobs
Leveraging new federal resources: the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bond Act
Allocating 40% of the benefits from clean energy investments (with a minimum of
35%) to Disadvantaged Communities* (DACs) as identified by the Climate Justice
Working Group (CJWG) under the New York State Climate Action Council:
Ensuring clean energy affordability
Reducing the burden of emissions and co-pollutants
Ensuring full participation in the economy with job and career opportunities
Access to new policies and programs that invest in energy efficiency
An inclusive process and full participation in policy development and action
*The Climate Justice Working Group released drafted criteria and an interactive map of
Disadvantaged Communities across New York State. The CJWG currently defines
Disadvantaged Communities as: "communities burdened by negative public health effects,
environmental pollution, and climate change impacts, as well as communities that possess
certain socioeconomic criteria or comprise high concentrations of low- and moderate-income
households." The criteria contain 45 indicators, which consider variables such as potential
pollution exposure, land use, climate change risks, income, race, health impacts, housing,
and educational attainment. Learn more about the criteria here.
New York State is embarking on a long, exciting road of changes in the next few decades.
The Climate Act is one critical piece of work that provides a practical guide to support this
change, and it is only the beginning of this work.
To read more in-depth detail by sector, view the Executive Summary by the New York State
Climate Action Council.
All-Electric Airplane Lands at Westchester Airport
A fully electric airplane flew from Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York to
Schenectady County Airport (approximately 144 miles by land). The plane stopped to charge
for a few hours before completing the next leg to Westchester County Airport (another 148
miles) in White Plains on Monday, February 13, 2023.
The prototype aircraft is the Alia-250C, flown by a retired US Air Force pilot and developed
by Beta Technologies.
The plane carries one pilot plus cargo, and this type of electric aircraft will eventually be able
to hold one pilot plus four passengers. The ALIA-250C has a 50ft wingspan designed after
the migrating Arctic tern. It is much quieter than a conventional fuel airplane as it soars
through the sky.
The plane has a conventional wing structure and used a conventional take-off and landing
for the flight to Westchester County Airport. Beta Technologies has applied for certification
under the Federal Aviation Administration of a rotorcraft version of the Alia-250C (a rotary-
wing aircraft such as a helicopter). This version would achieve vertical take-off and landing
(VTOL), eliminating the need for a long runway. These types of electric aircraft would be able
to land in commercial and general aviation airports. Blade, an international helicopter
operator interested in Beta Technologies, organized the flight on February 13. Read here for
more information on the Alia-250C’s 876-mile test flight from Plattsburgh, New York, to
Louisville, Kentucky, in 2022.
Other aircraft manufacturers such as Joby Aviation are designing electric aircraft with VTOL
capability, and Eviation is developing a nine-seater aircraft that will use a conventional
runway. Electric and hydrogen-electric aircraft will require high-speed charging, and airports
will need storage capacity to supply charging to aircraft and for electric ground-support
systems.
Michel Delafontaine, Business Development Director at Sustainable Westchester, is
submitting a proposal to Westchester County to develop a solar energy charging
infrastructure at Westchester County Airport to support future electric aircraft.
To meet New York State's goals of net-zero emissions within the transportation sector,
aircraft will need to move away from relying on gasoline and diesel fuel.
Westchester Power
Have you considered joining the Westchester Power
Program if you are not already enrolled?
Westchester Power offers fixed electricity supply rates on
behalf of the 29 participating municipalities in
Westchester County, empowering the county and its
residents to support renewable energy. If you live in one
of the following municipalities you might be eligible to
participate in the program.
Westchester Power is a community energy program
administered by Sustainable Westchester on behalf of
municipalities and there is no contract required for an
individual to join. The program is free for anyone to join or
leave at any time without fees or penalties. Enrollment and
account changes take 1-2 billing cycles to take effect.
Because the utility companies' electricity supply rates
fluctuate monthly (ConEdison and New York State Electric
and Gas), Westchester Power does not guarantee savings
against the utilities' rates.
View our current program rates here.
For more information about Westchester Power please visit our webpage, email us at
westchesterpower@sustainablewestchester.org or give us a call at 914-242-4725, Menu
Option 3. To sign up for Westchester Power fill out our online form or reach out to us for
assistance.
Customers who are not eligible for Westchester Power: large commercial properties,
participants of financial assistance programs with the utility company, customers with a
“block” on their utility account (customers can call their utility company to have this
removed), or customers that already have a private contract with an Energy Supply
Company (ESCO).
EnergySmart Homes
EnergySmart Homes helps residents learn
about cleaner ways to heat and cool their
homes, access a vetted contractor list and
rebate information, and simplify financing.
Learn more about insulation, air source heat
pumps, geothermal, and heat pump water
heaters.
Begin with a home energy assessment to
diagnose your home energy usage, and
then get started on making an investment in
your home that will pay off with savings and
comfort.
Our energy advisors are here to help guide
you through the process. Read about
homeowner success stories and case
studies on our website.
40 Green Street
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
United States
914-242-4725
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