FAQs

Climate Smart Communities Program

FAQs (responses from Dazzle Ekblad, NYSDEC Office of Climate Change)

Q: If a municipality participates in the Climate Smart Communities program, does this restrict or limit the municipality's participation, independence or autonomy in any way?  Similarly, would adoption of the CSC pledge lock the village into certain choices or paths that would impact their contracts for hydro-power or other elements of the municipal structure?  What legal ramifications (if any) are involved with the CSC process.

A: This is a common concern, but unfounded.  There is certainly no conflict between participating in the CSC program and the village gov’t including an independent utility. The Village of Boonville is another registered CSC that is in the same position.   CSC is an entirely voluntary program, in every sense of the word – it is an outreach program for communities who want help with local climate action and who appreciate their leadership to being recognized by the state.

There are no legal requirements or obligations that come into play after a municipality passes the CSC pledge. As I often say in presentations to communities who are new to the program, there are no “CSC police” – we do have zero interest in “enforcing” implementation of the CSC pledge. And the reality is that there are many registered CSCs who are not active and who have done little to implement the CSC pledge, due to changes in administrations or other factors. There’s no problem with this. Outreach is focused on those communities who are looking for support on climate change initiatives, not those who decide to focus on other priorities.

Q: Is there a list of the other "municipal" communities that have adopted the CSC pledge or become certified?  

A: The list of registered and certified CSCs is at http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/56876.html. I can help make connections; we have contact info for the local CSC coordinators.

Q: Some of the programs that score points in the CSC system involve things like RECs that might be more complicated for the village?

A: For every community, there will be some CSCC actions that are not applicable due to local circumstances. With over 130 actions to choose from, the program should have enough options for the village to earn sufficient points to become certified, if they chose to participate. However, I’m happy to answer any questions you have on specific CSCC actions. We are also always open to feedback, if the village sees ways to change the program that would help it be more relevant and accessible.

Q: Is there a cutoff in median income for a community that would impact their eligibility in the program or to receive grants?  

A: There is no cutoff – all local governments in NYS are eligible to apply for the CSC grants, regarding of size. The scoring criteria for the 2016 RFA (attached) included extra points (5) for financial hardship for communities with a median household income (MHI) of less than $58,687. But there is a big difference between earning a few extra points and being eligible to apply. There’s more info on these grants, including a list of the 29 awards announced last December (2016), at http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/109181.html . We are planning to offer these grants again, but this is contingent on the legislature approving the CSC grants program as part of this year’s EPF budget.