FALL 2016
Clean Energy Community News
Moving our communities toward sustainability.
Director's Corner
New Program Provides Rewards For Clean Energy Actions By Communities
Director of Sustainability, CDRPC
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.
The CEC program is being delivered by CDRPC through a unique partnership of regional agencies that will administer the program in four New York State Economic Development Council Regions: the North Country, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region, and Mid-Hudson regions. In addition to CDRPC, the Eastern Upstate NY Territory Team includes the Adirondack North Country Association, the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District and the Hudson Valley Regional Council. The Team is also being supported by Climate Action Associates, LLC and Courtney Strong Inc.
The NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Program provides funding, direct technical support, and recognition to local governments that demonstrate leadership in clean energy. NYSERDA has identified 10 High-Impact Actions that local governments can implement to save money, foster a vibrant economy, and improve the environment. By completing four of the 10 High-Impact Actions, a local government can earn the Clean Energy Community designation, as well as a grant of up to $250,000, with no local cost share, to support additional clean energy projects. To earn the Clean Energy Community designation, at least two of the High-Impact Actions must be completed after August 1, 2016. The 10 High-Impact Actions are: Benchmarking, Clean Energy Upgrades, LED Street Lights, Clean Fleets, Solarize, Unified Solar Permit, Energy Code Enforcement Training, Climate Smart Communities Certification, Community Choice Aggregation and Energize NY Finance. Find out how your community can begin earning financial support and recognition today.
Meet the Clean Energy Communities Coordinators
Clean Energy Communities Coordinators
From left: Dan Sullivan, Jamie Rogers, Robyn Reynolds and Carla Castillo
CAPITAL DISTRICT: Robyn Reynolds
Regional planning expertise
Capital CarShare board member
Solarize Albany team member
Robyn joined the Capital District Regional Planning Commission staff in 2016 as a Senior Planner. Robyn previously worked in the private sector as a sustainability planner, assisting municipalities with renewable energy implementation and sustainable development. Robyn has a B.A. in International Relations and Environmental Studies from SUNY Geneseo and a Master of Regional Planning from the University at Albany, SUNY. Robyn is a board member for Capital CarShare . robyn@cdrpc.org 518-453-0850
HUDSON VALLEY: Carla Castillo
Town of Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council
Community development expertise
Middle school mom extraordinaire
School recycling advocate
Prior to joining Hudson Valley Regional Council, Carla worked in Philadelphia, where she led the transformative sustainability and neighborhood revitalization efforts of NKCDC. With Recyclebank, Carla inspired city-wide residents to recycle more through Philadelphia Recycling Rewards. At the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and the Reinvestment Fund, she stabilized distressed neighborhoods through the development of 550+ homes as an affordable housing lender and technical assistance provider to community development corporations. Also at the Reinvestment Fund, Carla worked with internationally-based microfinance CEOs to advance the micro-finance industry.
Carla volunteers in the Town of Cornwall, chairing the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council and working with select Cornwall Central School District schools to implement school-based recycling programs. ccastillo@hudsonvalleyrc.org (845) 564-4075
HUDSON VALLEY: Europa McGovern
Educator
Environmentalist
Biker
Europa previously worked for NGOs and both state and national parks in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Europa has participated in research in the tidal wetlands and the fisheries of the Hudson River Estuary, and she has shared our rich local history of environmental activism and conservation with schoolchildren and the public alike. She has also worked with dedicated volunteers to enhance programming and essential public support in our parks, including Walkway Over the Hudson State Park and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site. Her interests also include sustainable agriculture and waste management, alternative transportation, green urban planning, and environmental justice. When not working in support of the Clean Energy Communities program, she may be found riding her bike to her local farm or about town, or in the many beautiful outdoor spaces of the Hudson Valley hiking or biking.
MOHAWK VALLEY: Dan Sullivan
Educator
Coach
Organic Farmer
Chair, Town of Ritchfield Comprehensive Plan Committee
Before joining Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Dan had a 40-year career as a high school English teacher and coach (high school and NCAA Divisions I and III Track & Field and Cross-Country). In 2011, Dan and his wife Teresa took up organic vegetable farming at their farm in Richfield Springs.
Dan is a member of the Greater Mohawk Valley Land Bank Committee; Chairman of Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful; Member of the Town of Richfield Planning Board; Chairman of the Town of Richfield Comprehensive Plan Committee, and a trustee of both the Otsego Land Trust and Otsego 2000. dsullivan@mvedd.org (315) 866-4671
NORTH COUNTRY: Jamie Rogers
Former mayor, Lake Placid
Essex County IDA board member
Maple syrup maker
Sportsman
Prior to joining Adirondack North Country Association in 2010, Jamie served as mayor of Lake Placid, where he implemented innovative municipal energy saving programs that reduced the municipal electric load by a whopping 10 percent. He brought a free public transportation system to the village and developed a multi-year budget system coupled with asset management planning. Jamie leads ANCA’s implementation of NYSERDA’s Green Jobs, Green NY program and through this work has helped hundreds of homeowners and businesses access free energy assessments and incentives for efficiency upgrades.
Jamie is a member of the boards of Essex County Historical Society, Essex County Industrial Development Agency, and the Upstate chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. When he is not working, golfing, skiing, fishing, or sailing, he can be found making maple syrup at Heaven Hill Farm in Lake Placid. jrogers@adirondack.org (518) 891-6200
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.
Funding on the Street
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.
Upcoming Events
November 9, 10:30-11:45 AM
Webinar: Clean Fleets: An Achievable High Impact Action For Your Community. Location: Online. REGISTER HERE
