Test 1BOT Admin – Page 2 – Sustainable Westchester Skip to main content
All Posts By

BOT Admin

Taller de Ahorros Electricos

By Our Blog

Taller de Ahorros ElÉctricos

El 26 de junio del 2024, en colaboración con la aldea y el pueblo de Ossining y Neighbors Link, Sustainable Westchester llevó a cabo su primer taller de ahorro de energía en español en la Biblioteca Pública de Ossining. El taller educó a los miembros de la comunidad local sobre el cambio climático y oportunidades de ahorros energéticos.

¡Participar en los programas de Sustainable Westchester es una forma sencilla de ayudar a combatir el cambio climático y, al mismo tiempo, ahorrar dinero en electricidad! Por ejemplo, nuestro programa Community Solar ofrece una suscripción gratuita a un proyecto solar. Cada suscriptor recibe ahorros garantizados en sus facturas de electricidad, mientras que el proyecto solar entrega energía limpia y renovable a nuestra red eléctrica. Esto da como resultado una red más estable, menos dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y una mejor calidad del aire para nuestras comunidades.

El taller incluyó una sesión de inscripción donde los participantes pudieron inscribirse en los programas y recibir asistencia en persona. Estamos encantados con el éxito de este evento, y Sustainable Westchester espera expandir los eventos de alcance en español para servir mejor al condado de Westchester.

El taller ofreció los siguientes programas de ahorro:

  • Community Solar ahorro garantizado en tu factura de la luz. ¡Suscríbase a un proyecto solar y reciba los beneficios de la energía renovable sin instalar paneles solares en su hogar!
  • GridRewards es una aplicación gratuita que puede ayudarte a reducir tu huella de carbono y ahorrar dinero. Tome medidas sencillas de energía durante las horas de mayor demanda y obtenga un reembolso en efectivo de Con Edison al final del año.
  • Empower+ programa estatal que proporciona fondos a los hogares elegibles para mejoras energéticas en el hogar.
  • HEAP (Programa de Asistencia de Energía para el Hogar) ayuda a residentes del estado de Nueva York elegibles con soluciones de calefacción y refrigeración en su hogar.
A flyer for an event for reducing waste, listing several notable guests.

Understanding the Westchester County “Upon Request” Legislation: A Step Towards Sustainability

By Our Blog

Understanding the Westchester County “Upon Request” Legislation: A Step Towards Sustainability

A flyer for an event for reducing waste, listing several notable guests.

In a significant move towards reducing waste and promoting sustainability, Westchester County has adopted the “Upon Request” legislation, which requires food service establishments to provide single-use food-ware items only when explicitly requested by customers. This new law aims to minimize unnecessary waste and encourage a more mindful approach to consumption. Click here to learn more from Westchester County.

The Upon Request Web Panel: A Collaborative Discussion

Sustainable Westchester, in partnership with Mothers Out Front, recently hosted a web panel to discuss the implications and benefits of this new legislation. The event brought together County Legislators, sustainability leaders, and local business owners to share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities presented by the “Upon Request” law. The panelists highlighted the importance of community involvement in ensuring the successful implementation of this initiative.

View the recording here: https://youtu.be/7mK4xdTQgNU 

Access Resources: Supporting the Implementation

To help community members and businesses adapt to the new law, fact sheets and business flyers are available to be downloaded here in English, Spanish, and Chinese. These resources provide clear information on what the law entails and how it can be effectively implemented.

Ensuring Compliance: Your Role Matters

The success of the “Upon Request” legislation depends on collective effort. If you come across businesses that are not adhering to the new rules, you can make an anonymous report using this form. Additionally, the county has set up a complaint hotline at 914-813-5425 to assist with any concerns.

Discover what’s happening nationwide with the UPSTREAM National Reuse Network here.

Celebrating the Second Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act!

By Our Blog

Celebrating the Second Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act!

State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Pelham Homeowner, Sustainable Westchester, Local Contractors, and Advocates Celebrate Second Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act With Front Porch Ribbon Cutting Event

Pelham, NY – On Friday, August 16, 2024, State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Rewiring America, Sustainable Westchester, the League of Conservation Voters, local advocates, and HVAC and solar experts gathered at the home of Pelham resident Greg Spock to host a “front porch ribbon cutting” celebrating his home energy-efficiency upgrades made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  

The event celebrated Spock’s commitment to home electrification and marked the second anniversary of the IRA, a landmark federal law that has played a pivotal role in making energy-efficiency and electrification upgrades affordable to Americans nationwide.

Michael Hernandez, New York Policy Director for Rewiring America, applauded the IRA for enabling nearly 185,000 New Yorkers to invest in high-efficiency electric appliances and/or rooftop solar. Spock credited the legislation’s electrification tax credits for making it possible for him to install high-efficiency heat pump and water heater systems, and soon rooftop solar, lowering his monthly energy bills and increasing the comfort of his home. 

Local climate advocates and energy specialists urged residents to learn more about how they can take advantage of the tax credits and other local incentives to upgrade their own homes and lower their energy bills. After the ribbon cutting, community members and neighbors were invited to “test drive” electric lawn care equipment and other high-efficiency appliances to learn more about how they work. 

“With the support of the Inflation Reduction Act, we were able to install an air source heat pump, a heat pump hot water heater, lease that beautiful and fast Emerald Lake Lyriq in the driveway, and charge it, with the home charger we installed, said the Pelham Homeowner. “Since making these upgrades, we’ve noticed several benefits. Not only am I contributing to a healthier environment, but our home is quieter, more evenly heated and cooled, and I’ve reduced our utility bills significantly. I expect an even bigger reduction with the solar installation imminently occurring. These changes have made our home more comfortable and efficient, and I feel proud to be part of a growing movement towards 100% clean energy.”  

“The Inflation Reduction Act represents the largest climate investment in U.S. history, allocating funds to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and addressing climate change across multiple sectors,” said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “By making transitions to technologies like air source heat pumps, electric cars and electric landscaping equipment, we are taking steps to protect our environment, to live healthier lives and save money. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act these projects are more affordable.” 

“The Inflation Reduction Act is paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient future, and it demonstrates that environmental policy can be a win-win for both our wallets and the environment we live in,” said Melissa Eustace, Board Member of Westchester Chapter of The League of Conservation Voters.  

“Today, we’re here to celebrate the impact the Inflation Reduction Act has had right at our kitchen tables. This law has been a game-changer for homeowners like Greg, establishing incentives to help every American household transition to cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable electric appliances,” said Michael Hernandez, New York Policy Director for Rewiring America.  “It’s thanks to these historic tax credits that millions of households across the country now have the power to fight the climate crisis, lower their energy bills, and increase the comfort of their homes. “

“In the past few years, the Village began electrification projects such as purchasing electric landscaping equipment, installing charging infrastructure, preparing a fleet electrification study, and constructing a new, all-electric municipal center, which will be completed by the end of the year. And in the past two years, numerous residents have reduced their energy consumption and costs through Inflation Reduction Act incentives for electric technologies,” said Yenna Chan, Co-chair, The Village of Pelham Sustainability Advisory Board.  “I am thrilled that Rewiring America has created this opportunity for neighbors and community members to hear from industry experts and try out electric equipment in person.” 

“With the implementation of the IRA and specific guidance from contractors like myself, homeowners are educated to invest in a highly efficient electric mechanical system and the end result is a superbly comfortable home, even temperatures, more comfortable sleeping, and a happy family. All of these are accomplished because you made an educated choice for your home and your wallet,” said Bryan Smith, Innovative Air. “Electrifying is really about choosing highly efficient, high-performance mechanical systems to provide the comfort you deserve. With careful planning, sound recommendations, and overall impeccable execution of installation, you too can move toward the electrification of your home!”  

“Sustainable Westchester is happy to celebrate the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act! As a member of NYSERDA’s Regional Clean Energy Hub, we are part of a statewide network of local organizations providing clean energy solutions to Westchester municipalities, businesses and residents. Our energy advisors can help our neighbors throughout the County access NYSERDA programs. discuss technologies, connect with contractors and navigate rebates and incentives,” said Lauren Brois, Director, EnergySmart Homes at Sustainable Westchester. “We have seen how the IRA’s tax credits have made it easier for homeowners to install energy-efficient appliances, like heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, solar panels, and electric vehicles, significantly reducing project costs and environmental impact. Through IRA tax credits, homeowners can access tax credits up to $1,200 for insulation, $2,000 tax credit for ASHP and 30 percent tax credit for geothermal projects.” 

To find out what federal incentives they might qualify for, New York residents can visit Rewiring America’s Savings Calculator. Residents will only need to input a few details about their households to immediately see all federal electrification and energy-efficiency incentives they qualify for.

The Front Porch Ribbon Cutting series, spearheaded by Rewiring America and Citizens’ Climate Lobby, is a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about the benefits of energy-efficient solutions and the financial incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

About Rewiring America

Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes, businesses, and communities. We develop accessible, actionable data and tools. Rewiring America helps Americans save money, tackle nationwide emissions goals, improve health, and build the next generation of the clean energy workforce. We believe in an abundant, flourishing, climate-safe future, and know that, together, we can realize one

About the New York League of Conservation Voters

The New York League of Conservation Voters is the only non-partisan, statewide environmental organization in New York that takes a pragmatic approach to fight for clean water, healthy air, renewable energy, and open space. For over thirty years, NYLCV has worked to lobby state and local governments on environmental policy, provide objective information to the public, and hold elected officials accountable. For more information, visit www.nylcv.org. 

About Sustainable Westchester

Sustainable Westchester is Westchester County’s leading advocate for local municipalities striving to make their communities safer and more resilient against the threats posed by climate change. It plays a critical role in helping members achieve the goals of New York’s landmark Climate Act by supplying large-scale renewable electricity, implementing innovative clean energy solutions, increasing energy efficiency, saving taxpayers money, and promoting equity and environmental justice. Its diverse hub of popular and high-effective programs developed for municipalities includes Westchester Power, Community Solar, EnergySmart Homes, Commercial Clean Heating & Cooling, GridRewards Demand Response, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure, Zero Waste Recycling, and Sustainable Landscaping. 

Visit our website.

Sustainable Westchester Summer 2024 Newsletter

By Newsletter

Request for Information: Renewable Energy Alternative Cooling & Heating (REACH) Peekskill and Yonkers

By RFPs/Opportunities

Sustainable Westchester (SW) invites building owners in Peekskill and Yonkers to respond to the REACH offering which aims to decarbonize your building(s) and assess the feasibility of connection to a municipality-led Thermal Energy Network (TEN). REACH compliments SW’s current project with the Cities of Peekskill and Yonkers to develop renewable energy infrastructure for heating and cooling*. If your building is selected, SW will work with you to identify the highest resource-efficient energy reduction and electrification methods, employing strategies and technologies that maximize financial incentives and reduce risks.

Decarbonize Your Building and Receive a Free TEN Pre-Feasibility Assessment

 

Eligibility Peekskill and Yonkers building owners and operators of commercial buildings such as affordable housing, non-profits, schools, houses of worship, community centers, mixed-use, municipal buildings, and others are eligible for this cost-cutting decarbonization service.
Q&A We welcome the opportunity to answer questions and assist with your submission, inquire by completing this form by May 31, 2024: Building Owner Q&A Form 
Webinar  June 20, 2024, register at this link today.
Due Date Complete this form by July 26, 2024
View the full RFI RFI REACH Building Owners

*Read more about SW’s Municipal TEN Accelerator project and how TENs offer efficient, fossil fuel-free heating and cooling via interconnected pipe loops, fostering community resilience, public health, and economic benefits: https://sustainablewestchester.org/grant-to-develop-clean-energy/

Seeking to partner with geothermal drill rig manufacturer to create Geothermal Driller Training Program

By RFPs/Opportunities

Seeking to partner with geothermal drill rig manufacturer to create Geothermal Driller Training Program

2024 Earth Day & GridRewards Recognition at Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s Weekly Address

By Our Blog

2024 Earth Day & GridRewards Recognition at Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s Weekly Address

April 22, 2024 

GridRewards Energy Savings Program Pays Consumers, Improves Environmental Impact, and Helps the Electric Grid When it Matters the Most 

(our feature begins a quarter way through the recording, at minute 12:30)

GridRewards is a free program administered by Sustainable Westchester, the county’s leading advocate for community resilience and provider of renewable energy, that pays consumers to lower their energy consumption during periods of extremely hot weather when people typically crank their air conditioners and electricity demand spikes.

The easy-to-use GridRewards app, powered by Logical Buildings is part of Con Edison’s Smart Usage Rewards program. More than 3,500 residents and businesses in Westchester County have signed up for GridRewards to date, and on average, each residential user received a direct cash payment of $80, with the top commercial users earning more than $20,000. During the summer of 2022, users’ combined efforts reduced energy consumption by 7MW, enough electricity to instantaneously power 25,000 homes.

The benefits of participating in GridRewards are two-fold: in addition to saving money, the program reduces the regional energy grid’s reliance on “peaker plants,” a reserve network of antiquated fossil-fuel power plants. These facilities are believed by many to be responsible for planet-warming carbon emissions and health problems that disproportionately impact low-income communities of color where the plants operate. Peaker plants exist in neighborhoods like the South Bronx and sections of Brooklyn and Queens where asthma rates remain among the highest in the state. In New York City, 78% of people living within one mile of a peaker plant are low-income or people of color.

“New York’s ability to achieve its ambitious environmental goals depends on innovative and community-led programs like GridRewards,” said Jim Kuster, Interim Executive Director at Sustainable Westchester. “During a time when most household finances are tight and people are reminded daily about the looming threats posed by climate change, GridRewards offers an easy-to-follow path for saving money and reducing their environmental impact.”

“I first downloaded the GridRewards app in 2021, and I was amazed how easy it was to begin earning cash and protecting the environment. You simply enter your ConEd account number, respond to alerts through the app, and get paid. Easiest money I ever made,” said Gregory Spock, Pelham resident.

The GridRewards program has been supported by a broad and diverse range of County residents, businesses, renewable energy advocates, municipalities, schools and elected officials. During Earth Week, Westchester County Executive George Latimer held a press conference promoting the program. Members of the New Rochelle High School community were present at the event to share their experiences with GridRewards. Carmen Glenn, AP Environmental Science and Biology Teacher at New Rochelle High School explained how the Green Schools Committee worked with their Facilities Director Keith Watkins to implement the program.

Keyera Gordon, senior at New Rochelle, who serves at the Co-President of New Rochelle High School’s Green Club and is a Student Representative on the Ecology & Natural Resources Advisory Committee within the city of New Rochelle remarked “ on this beautiful Earth Day, I am delighted to speak about the GridRewards Initiative. Our Green Club board has been promoting the GridRewards mobile app in which people can link their utility account and once signed up with their energy provider login details, they can track their electricity and gas usage over time.. Advocating for this initiative, I and the rest of our Green Club board hope to increase awareness of energy usage, educating others about how they can personally benefit from decreased electricity use. We can provide a way for people to save money while also lowering their carbon footprint. This is the first step in the direction of increased sustainability and environmental awareness on a community-wide scale.”

The mayors of several Westchester towns including Hastings-on Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Ardsley, Tarrytown, Elmsford, and Sleepy Hollow urged residents to sign up. Con Edison-serviced municipalities, businesses, and residents are all eligible to participate in GridRewards and can sign up through Sustainable Westchester’s website or by downloading the GridRewards app in the App Store. New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) customers can also sign up to receive notifications when GridRewards is available in their areas.

Municipal TEN Accelerator

By Our Blog

SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER SECURES $92,000 GRANT TO DEVELOP CLEAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN
YONKERS & PEEKSKILL

Municipal T.E.N. (Thermal Energy Network) Accelerator will Help Municipalities Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels, Lower Costs, Achieve Climate Goals, and Increase Equitable Access to Clean Energy

Mount Kisco, N.Y. March 11, 2024 – Sustainable Westchester, Westchester County’s leading resource for local municipalities striving to make their communities safer and more resilient against the threats posed by climate change, announced today that it secured a $92,000 grant to help the City of Yonkers and the City of Peekskill lay the groundwork for critical new forms of clean energy infrastructure. The grant was made possible by the Westchester Community Foundation, a division of The New York Community Trust, one of the largest community foundations in the country with assets of approximately $3 billion.

Through the grant, the organization’s Municipal T.E.N. (Thermal Energy Network) Accelerator will help support the creation of community thermal energy networks (CTEN) in each municipality, a popular emerging clean energy technology that has been recognized for its ability to decarbonize buildings while lowering energy costs and ensuring a clear path to a more inclusive green economy. CTENs leverage a network of pipes and heat pumps to distribute clean thermal energy to buildings connected to the infrastructure, from ground, air, wastewater and surface water sources.

Under the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022, New York became the first state in the nation to enact legislation promoting the development of thermal energy networks on a larger scale. The law dictates that a certain number of projects must be located in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution and environmental justice issues, and the City of Yonkers and the City of Peekskill are home to 44 percent of Westchester’s Disadvantaged Communities Census Tracts as identified by New York State.

“The City of Yonkers’ strongly supports the widespread adoption of clean energy and is deeply committed to achieving the goals outlined in the City’s visionary Climate Action Plan,” said City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Encouraging the development and use of large-scale community thermal energy networks will help advance our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase access to reliable and affordable clean energy, and protect our residents against the impacts of climate change.”

“Partnering with Sustainable Westchester to implement state-of-the-art community energy thermal networks is the latest example of our City doing everything in its power to address climate change head on and become a more sustainable municipality,” said City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie. “This initiative will transform the way Peekskill incorporates climate solutions in its buildings, and it creates more pathways for residents of all backgrounds to access reliable and affordable clean energy.”

“Addressing climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and equitably decarbonizing our County depends on leveraging every tool at our disposal,” said Rachel Carpitella, Sustainable Westchester Program Director, Building Decarbonization. “Community thermal energy networks can play a pivotal role in building community wealth and health while reducing energy burden and reliance on polluting fossil fuels for a diverse range of residents. Through the Municipal T.E.N. Accelerator we look forward to establishing a successful model for speeding the implementation of this critical technology, which can be replicated by municipalities across Westchester and beyond to achieve their climate goals.”

Thwarting the widespread adoption of CTEN technologies, however, are complex and occasionally prohibitive municipal codes and permits, inconsistent processes from one municipality to the next, and a general lack of understanding by local constituencies of how of these critical technologies operate.

As part of the grant, Sustainable Westchester will help the City of Yonkers and the City of Peekskill adopt a uniform industry standard to fast track CTEN installations, and establish a clear and consistent set of rules to encourage more CTEN investments across Westchester. It is hoped that by creating a successful blueprint, municipalities throughout New York can replicate it in service of the State’s climate, clean energy, and environmental justice goals.

Sustainable Westchester’s partner in the grant is the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA).

“In order to achieve a more sustainable and decarbonized future in Westchester and across the globe, we must encourage the widespread adoption of the cleanest and most efficient heating and cooling technology available,” said Jeff Hammond, Executive Director of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.

Sustainable Westchester launched the first-of-its-kind REACH offering to partner with municipalities to develop, administer, and operate CTENs and to help commercial building owners decarbonize their properties and potentially connect to a CTEN. Interested municipalities and commercial building owners can contact Rachel Carpitella, program director at Sustainable Westchester, at [email protected] or (914) 242-4725 ext. 106.

 

About Sustainable Westchester

Sustainable Westchester is a leading resource for local municipalities, residents, and businesses striving to make their communities safer and more resilient against the threats posed by climate change. Acting as a hub for innovative programming, extensive relationships, and effective advocacy, Sustainable Westchester has been at the forefront of regional and statewide efforts to achieve a clean energy transition, conserve natural resources, promote environmental justice, and help member communities become more prosperous, healthy, resilient, and equitable.  For more about the organization and its activities, please visit sustainablewestchester.org.